About Harpsichord lessons

Harpsichord - solo and basso continuo!

The harpsichord is a plucked instrument where levers pull on the strings while you play it as if it were a piano! So, it's actually a string instrument, a keyboard instrument, and a plucked instrument all rolled into one! The harpsichord (Cembalo in Italian) was in use for approximately 400 years and disappeared from the stage for much of the 19th century.

Is the harpsichord difficult to learn?

Despite being much less popular than the piano, the harpsichord is becoming increasingly present in our musical culture. If you have experience playing the piano, it's fun, not difficult, and yet challenging to start playing the harpsichord.

Can I learn to tune my harpsichord myself?

Your teacher will be happy to teach you about various tuning traditions and systems. The more you practise, the better you wil master it.

Do I need to own a harpsichord to take lessons?

Since the 1950s and 1960s, thanks to the development of the early music movement and important pioneers of that time, such as Gustave Leonhardt, Kenneth Gilbert, Colin Tilney, and Trevor Pinnock, interest in the harpsichord, its repertoire, historical sources, and construction has grown exponentially. A harpsichord is very expensive, but a spinet is perfectly suitable for home use!

What is a spinet?

In a spinet, the strings run over a bridge, just like in a harpsichord, and lie flat on the soundboard. A harpsichord usually has several registers and keyboards, which operate the levers, but the smaller spinet usually has only one. The spinet is much cheaper, more convenient, and perfect to buy and use at home for playing and practising.

Is the harpsichord only for old people?

Was the harpsichord once a kind of piano, only for people with woolly socks who loved Baroque music? Today, the harpsichord, and learning to play it, has fully regained the glory and interest that rightly surrounded this regal instrument in the 17th and 18th centuries!

A Royal Instrument

The earliest surviving harpsichords were built in Italy in the early 16th century. Little is known of the early history of the harpsichord, but, during the 16th-18th century, it underwent considerable evolution and became one of the most important European instruments. National schools of construction arose, notably in Italy, Flanders, France, England, and Germany; and highly decorated cases with painted lids became fashionable. Most of the great Baroque composers played or wrote for the harpsichord.

Competition

By the middle of the 18th century the harpsichord had grown to a normal compass of five full octaves, three or more sets of strings and jacks, and often two keyboards. At this time, it began to compete with the new pianoforte, which was capable of playing soft or loud according to the fingers' pressure on the keys. The harpsichord is incapable of this dynamic gradation and was overwhelmed in popularity by the piano.

How come the harpsichord is popular again?

Since the 1950s/60s, thanks to the development of the early music movement and important pioneers of the time such as Gustave Leonhardt, Kenneth Gilbert, Colin Tilney, Trevor Pinnock, interest in the harpsichord, its repertoire, historical sources and construction has grown exponentially and the harpsichord regained popularity. Today, there are thousands of harpsichordists worldwide who play the instrument solo, as a continuo instrument in operas, and in chamber music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, using modern copies of historical instruments.

More information

Kies je muziekleraar

Gefeliciteerd! Je volgende stap is om de pagina te bekijken van de muziekleraar over wie je meer wilt weten. Neem contact op met een gediplomeerde muziekleraar bij jou in de buurt en boek een proefles!

Proefles

De proefles is de perfecte gelegenheid om de lesfrequentie, de locatie, je favoriete muziekstijlen of andere stijlen die je wilt ontdekken te bespreken en om je toekomstige leraar te leren kennen. Boek je eerste lespakket en ontvang een gratis proefles. (Normale prijs EU 25,-)

Privémuzieklessen voor alle leeftijden

Op de website van Vivaldi Music Lessons vind je allerlei soorten muzieklessen voor beginners en gevorderden. Instrumentale en vocale muzieklessen voor kinderen, tieners en volwassenen.

Waarom muziekles?

Muziek verbetert je humeur, maakt je vrolijk, brengt je in beweging en geeft je positieve energie! Muziek maken is een van de meest motiverende en gezonde activiteiten in het leven!

Jouw favoriete muziek

We richten onze aandacht op het repertoire dat jij het meest persoonlijk vindt. Hiervoor zijn constructieve feedback, persoonlijke oefeningen, tips en inspiratie van een toegewijde professionele muziekdocent de beste keuze!

Muzieklessen bij jou in de buurt!

  • Voor kinderen, tieners, volwassenen - alle niveaus
  • Flexibiliteit met lespakketten van 5 of 10 lessen van 30, 45 of 60 minuten
  • Gratis proefles bij aankoop van een lespakket (normaal € 25,-)
  • Privélessen bij de leraar of bij jou thuis
  • Gezellige en positieve sfeer tijdens je lessen

Lespakketten

Lestijden, betaling van de lessen en locatie worden individueel tussen jou en je leraar geregeld. Pakketten van 5 of 10 lessen van 30, 45 en 60 minuten.

Online lessen

Als u online lessen wilt volgen, kunt u rechtstreeks contact opnemen met de docent van uw keuze en de mogelijkheden bespreken.

 

Choose your harpsichord teacher

Congratulations! Your next step is to check out the page of the music teacher you want to know more about. Get in touch with the harpsichord teacher in your area and book a trial lesson!

Trial Harpsichord lesson

The trial lesson is the perfect situation to discuss the frequency of the lessons, the location, the music styles you like most or other styles you may wish to explore and to get to know your future harpsichord teacher. Book your first lesson pack, and receive a free trial lesson. (Normal price EU 25,- )

Private Music Lessons For All Ages

At Vivaldi Music Lessons website you will find all types of music lessons for beginners and advanced. Instrumental and vocal music lessons for children, teenagers and adults.

Why Music Lessons?

Music lightens your mood, cheers you up, gets you moving and gives you positive energy! Making music is one of the most motivating and healthy activities in life!

Your Favourite Music

The repertoire for harpsichord which you find the most personal to you is where we will focus our attention. For this, constructive feedback, personalised exercises, tips and inspiration from a dedicated professional harpsichord teacher are best choice!

Harpsichord Lessons near you!

  • Harpsichord Lessons for children, teenagers, adults - all levels
  • Flexibility with Lesson Packs of  5 or 10 x 30, 45 or 60 minute lessons
  • Free trial lesson with the purchase of a Lesson Pack (normally 25,-)
  • Private harpsichord lessons at the teacher's place or at your home
  • In person or online lessons
  • Cosy and positive atmosphere in your lessons

Lesson Packs

Lesson time, payment of the lessons and location are arranged individually between you and your harpsichord teacher. Packs of 5 or 10 harpsichord lessons of 30 minutes, 45 minutes, and 60 minutes.

Lesson Locations

The Harpsichord Lessons will take place at the teacher's place or studio or in the comfort of your own home.

Online Harpsichord Lessons

If you wish to follow online lessons, you can contact the harpsichord teacher of your choice directly and discuss the possibilities.

Classical to Pop and More!

If music is your passion and classical, baroque, jazz, pop, latin, world music or any other kind of music is where you find the most inspiration, you're welcome to sign up for a trial harpsichord lesson.

Music Theory Lessons

Do you wish to know more about the backgrounds of music? Learn more about harmony, tonalities and musical structures? Find your harpsichord teacher and discover the advantages of knowledge of music theory.