The creation of the harpsichord signified a drastic evolution within musical instruments. Although its predecessor, the organ, also included a keyboard-like component, the organ was primarily played using hydraulics or air. On the other hand, the harpsichord produced sound by “plucking” metal strings; it was the first instrument to combine strings with a keyboard. The harpsichord, in conjunction with the development of polyphony, is thought to have played a major role in Renaissance compositions, as its design allowed for the use of intricate musical forms and techniques. This revolutionary instrument would later pave the way for the piano in 1709 by Bartolomeo Cristofori, and presumably influenced Da Vinci’s Viola Organista (circa 1489).

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Newman, William S. “A Capsule History of the Piano.” American Music Teacher, July 1963, pp. 14–15.

Image Source: Frederick Litchfield, Wikimedia Commons