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[[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.
The virginal is important in musical history as it was the first to show the potential of the keyboard. After the “''Parthenia''”, four other major books of virginal music, the manuscripts of which have survived and are published, give insight into the development into this form of “serious” music.
The virginal is important in musical history as it was the first to show the potential of the keyboard. After the “''Parthenia''”, four other major books of virginal music, the manuscripts of which have survived and are published, give insight into the development into this form of “serious” music.
[[Category: Keyboard Instruments]]
[[Category: Keyboard Instruments]]