Sonus Paradisi – Klavichord Model

A clavichord is a chordophone instrument. This means that its sound is produced by vibration of the strings hit by metal blades called “tangents” which are operated by a key. The longer the string is, the lower tone it gives. One end of the string is hard attached to an resonator (soundboard). 

The other end is attached to the opposite edge of the instrument case. The tangent is located under the string somewhere in between its two ends. When you press the key, the tangent strikes the key and sticks to it making itself one of the oscilation nodes (nut). The tangent sticks to the string as long as the key is held. When you release the key, the tangent leaves the string and its oscilations therefore stop – the tone mutes. 

There are two basic types of a clavichord. Unfretted type: each tone has its own string. Fretted type: a single string is there for two (or three) neighbouring keys (limiting the polyphony). Usually, the strings are available in pairs to give stronger sound. As the tangent strikes the string in the node producing only light oscilations, it cannot give loud sound.