Changes

[[Image:Virginal.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Virginal from 1581 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art]]

[[Image:Virginal.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Virginal from 1581 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art]]

The '''virginal''' (or virginals) was a domestic keyboard instrument, the earliest member of the [[harpsichord]] family; and derived  from the [[psaltery]] in that it was a (usually) oblong box with tuned strings stretched along it, which were plucked (as against struck, as in the dulcimer or modern piano) to produce the sound. It was of a size suitable for placing on a household table; however some were built with their own frames or legs. A keyboard along one of the longer sides (i.e. parallel to the strings - which defines this instrument from other members of the family) has keys attached to wooden “jacks” which in turn have leather plectras (called “quills”) which pass along the strings like fingers over [[guitar]] strings.

The '''virginal''' (or virginals) was a domestic keyboard instrument, the earliest member of the [[harpsichord]] family; and derived  from the [[psaltery]] in that it was a (usually) oblong box with tuned strings stretched along it, which were plucked (as against struck, as in the dulcimer or modern piano) to produce the sound. It was of a size suitable for placing on a household table; however some were built with their own frames or legs. A keyboard along one of the longer sides (i.e. parallel to the strings - which defines this instrument from other members of the family) has keys attached to wooden “jacks” which in turn have leather plectras (called “quills”) which pass along the strings like fingers over [[guitar]] strings.

Reference: That thing on the right.

Reference: That thing on the right.

[[Category: Keyboard Instruments]]

[[Category:Keyboard Instruments]]