ACOUSTIC CHARACTERISTICS OF HARPSICHORD PLECTRA MATERIALS

The harpsichord, a plucked keyboard instrument, is known to have existed since the 14th century. It flourished throughout the 16th and 17th centuries and became an important instrument both for accompaniment and in Italy. The significant differences in dynamic nuances of harpsichords, related to the properties of the plectrum, were demonstrated using the Flemish school Mattia de Gand harpsichord (1685), which belongs to one of Tagliavini Collection in the Museum of San Colombano, Bologna (Italy). The materials traditionally used for the plectrum, mainly crows or ravens in the past, are nowadays commonly plastic or feathers from birds that are still huntable and easier to purchase. However, some high-quality quills often can be hard to get right now. Acoustic analysis was conducted on the second register of the harpsichord, its plectra alternately made from raven and swan feathers. The differences in frequency responses were examined to better understand the macro-behavior characteristics of plectra made from different materials on the same register of a harpsichord. The specific sound characteristics derived from each quill plectrum were identified. It shows that the suitable selection of quill plectrum is one of the critical steps for representing historical music well.