Stringed Keyboard Instruments: 1400-1800

Up betimes, and by coach towards Whitehall, and took Aldgate Street in my way, and there called upon one Hayward, that makes virginalls, and did like of a little espinette, and will have him finish it for me: for I had a mind to a small harpsichon, but this takes up less room, and will do my business as to finding out of chords, and I am very well pleased that I have found it. (April 4th, 1668)

Samuel Pepys, whose passion for music was exceeded only by his fondness for pretty young women, has left us, in the above entry from his diary, a valuable reference to the keyboard instruments obtainable in Restoration London. The spinet which pleased him so much was priced at five pounds.

All of the instruments mentioned by Pepys had as their principle of tone production the plucked string: they were, in fact, the three chief exemplars of that type of action. Resting on the end of each key was an upright wooden ‘jack’, to which was attached a plectrum (made of quill or leather), positioned just under the string, as well as a cloth (or felt) ‘damper’, fitted lightly over the string.