Clavicytherium

Quick meaning: Clavicytherium is a noun meaning (music) A harpsichord in which the soundboard and strings are mounted vertically facing the player.

Meaning

(music) A harpsichord in which the soundboard and strings are mounted vertically facing the player.

Example Sentences

[T]he harpſichord is an improvement of the Clavicitherium, an inſtrument known in England in Gower's time by the name of the Citole, from Cistella, a little cheſt.

However, [Albert] Delin's originality is manifested from the start through his building of clavicytheriums, in which the mechanism is an innovation; it appears that he was trying to distinguish himself from the other makers of the eighteenth century in the Low Countries.

The first stringed instrument to which the key-board was applied, was probably the clavicytherium, or keyed-cithara. In its early stage, it was a small oblong box, with the strings arranged in the form of a half-triangle. The strings, which were of catgut, were sounded by means of quill-plectra, attached in a rude way to the ends of the keys.

Clavicytheria, or upright harpsichords, were also made in Italy. Although they probably were built almost everywhere, the evidence of the extant instruments indicates that they were more common here than elsewhere. Playing a clavicytherium is a sensual experience: the soundboard is directly in front and the sound is projected right at the player.

Word Forms

• clavicytheriums
• clavicytheria
• clavicitherium

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include clavicitherium, clavicymbalum, clavicymbal, clavicembalo, clavichord, clavisymbalum.

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