Paperback version
now available!

A limited number of hardcover copies from the original 1990 printing are occasionally available. This is a true offset printed book with high quality halftones, printed at a much finer resolution than the images in the paperback version.

Inquire about availability for the hardcover version

Grant O'Brien, Ruckers: a Harpsichord
and Virginal Building Tradition (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008) 346 pages. Paperback reprint.
This book describes in close detail the art and technique of the Ruckers family, who produced harpsichords and virginals throughout a period of over 100 years. Grant O'Brien provides detailed information about the construction and decoration of Ruckers harpsichords and virginals, as well as the numbering, pitch, stringing, and the determination of the original state of their instruments. Like Stradivarius violins, Ruckers instruments were later altered, and the nature and musical significance of these alterations are discussed, as is the influence of the Ruckers style on later building practice. The instruments in their original and altered states are considered in relation to the music of the time and to contemporary performance practice. The text is richly illustrated with diagrams and pictures of original instruments, and with plan-view photographs reproduced at a scale of 1:10. The book also contains a partially illustrated catalogue of authentic and fake instruments, followed by extensive appendices.

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Cembalobau / Harpsichord Construction
Martin Skowroneck
The German Harpsichord maker Martin Skowroneck is one of the pioneers of historical instrument building. The study and restoration of original instruments has led him to attempt to recover many of the working methods of the old masters. Based on his own practical experience, this book focuses on many important aspects of building in the historical manner. His construction principles, working methods and the selection of materials are explained in depth and rounded off with numerous tips from the craftsman's workshop. 270 pages. 24 plates. Text in English and German.

CONTENTS
PREFACE
CHAPTER I: TOOLS AND ACCESSORIES
CHAPTER II: PERFECTION AND PRECISION
CHAPTER III: THE CONSTRUCTION
CHAPTER IV: THE CASE
CHAPTER V: THE SOUNDBOARD
CHAPTER VI: KEYBOARDS
CHAPTER VII: THE WRESTPLANK
CHAPTER VIII: SLIDES AND GUIDES
CHAPTER IX: JACKS
CHAPTER X: VOICING
CHAPTER XI: SECRETS AND TRICKS
CHAPTER XII: FINISHING
CHAPTER XIII: HOW IT ALL BEGAN
CHAPTER XIV: PROSPECT

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De Clavicordio Volume VIII,
Proceedings of the International Clavichord Symposium is now in stock.

Harpsichord Clearing House is the exclusive representative in the United States for this series of important books, each volume well illustrated and full of articles by leading scholars, builders and performers.

Volume VIII is in stock. Click here for further information on contents and pricing for this and other volumes.

NEW
Playing the Harpsichord Expressively
Mark Kroll

Mark Kroll has a written a book to teach the art of expressive harpsichord playing to those who have had some experience on the instrument, and also to pianists and organists who want to play this repertoire on the instrument for which it was composed. Presented together with quotes from the most important primary sources on the instrument, the book contains more than 100 musical examples in an easily accessible format and an extensive bibliography.

Now available in paperback.
The Clavichord
Bernard Brauchli

The clavichord, forerunner of the piano, was one of the most important instruments in Western keyboard history until the first decades of the nineteenth century. Brauchli's comprehensive history fills a major gap in the literature on this instrument. Beginning with the earliest-known references, he traces the clavichord's evolution up to the mid-nineteenth century, ending with a study of performance technique. The clavichord's structural developments (traced largely through an analysis of extant instruments), literary documentation (much of it presented here for the first time in English), treatises and iconographical sources are presented in chronological order.
More details...

$58
(paperback)

NEW
A History of the Harpsichord
Edward L. Kottick
This richly illustrated volume traces 600 years of harpsichord design and construction.

A History of the Harpsichord brings together for the first time more than 200 photographs, illustrations, and drawings of harpsichords in public museums and private collections throughout Europe and the United States. Edward L. Kottick draws on his extensive technical knowledge and experience as a harpsichord builder to detail the changing design, structure, and acoustics of the instrument over six centuries. The book is clothbound and comes with an accompanying audio CD featuring performances on many of the instruments discussed. More details...

Jorgensen, The Equal Beating Temperaments
Our most sought-after tuning booklet. Tuning techniques and tables for 15 historical temperaments. Newly revised Second Edition.

Giuttari: Historical Tunings A set 6 temperaments, each on its own card, for use with with your electronic tuner.

Caldwell: English Keyboard Music before the 19th Century
English keyboard art from Robertsbridge Codex (c. 1325) to John Field. Illuminating coverage of organ, harpsichord, pianoforte, other instruments; works of Tallis, Byrd, Gibbons, Tomkins, many others.

Kottick, The Harpsichord Owner's Guide
A clear, concise, up-to-date guide to buying, maintaining, and tuning this instrument that includes a short history and discussion of the different types of harpsichord and their use in different kinds of music. Paperback

Kottick & Lucktenberg: Early Keyboard Instruments in European Museums
Covering instruments in 47 collections in 16 European countries, this book offers fascinating glimpses and useful insights into a great variety of instruments and makes.

$39.95

Lunde, The Continuo Companion.
A facsimile anthology for the study , practice and performance of Figured Bass Accompaniment. Excerpts from treatises on figured bass accompaniment, vocal and instrumental literature. 202 pages, spiral bound. Newly revised edition.

One copy available 1.11.10

Claude Mercier-Ythier, Les Clavecins (Paris, Expodif Editions, 1996) 263 pages.

A truely beautiful compendium of historical and technical information with many large and sumptuously produced color photos. This large format (9.5 x 13") hardcover volume contains close up details of decoration, and construction. Text examines stringing, construction, the ateliers during the golden age of harpsichord building, performers, composers and the modern revival. Single copies of this hard to find book are occasionally available. In French only. Shipping not included.

$345.

Inquire about availability.

Raymond Russell: The Harpsichord and Clavichord 2nd Edition (W.W. Norton and CO. 1973) 300 plus pages, hardbound.
"An indispensable work of reference, which is unlikely to be superseded since it is based on careful and accurate first-hand observation" The Times Literary Supplement

Inquire about availability.

Zuckermann: The Modern Harpsichord

After a dozen years of building, Wolfgang Zuckermann wrote the widely-read The Modern Harpsichord, October House, (1969) in which he described the harpsichord makers of his time, together with their philosophies and building methods. This book is one of the important documents of the historical harpsichord revival.

One copy available...

Hubbard, Three Centuries of Harpsichord Building

Another famous and important text for modern builders, Frank Hubbard's aim was to "give enough information to make it possible for builders of harpsichords to base their work on certain knowledge of the designs and methods of earlier makers; to guide players of the harpsichord in their search for appropriate instruments, dispositions, and registrations in recreating the music of the past; and to serve as a useful body of information for historians and editors of early keyboard music." 1965

Brauchli: DE CLAVICORDIO II - Proceedings of the 1995 Magnano Clavichord Symposium. 23 Presentations with text and 22 plates. 274 pages, softbound. Special order.

Brauchli: DE CLAVICORDIO III - Proceedings of the 1997 Magnano Clavichord Symposium . Proceedings of the International Clavichord Symposium, Magnano, September 1997. Articles by Martin, Schott, Brauchli, Vermeij, Simmonds, Bavington, Adlam, Speerstra, Knast, Vapaavuori, Campanaro, Jander, Hogwood, Maunder, Barnes, Fortino, Fuller, Dunki and Hedinger. 304 pages, softbound. 13 color illustrations, 18 b & w illust. Special order

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Brauchli: DE CLAVICORDIO IV Proceedings of the International Clavichord Symposium, Magnano, September 1999. 225 pages /34 b & w illustrations.
Click here for contents.

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Brauchli: DE CLAVICORDIO V 328 pages 55 b & w illustrations. Click here for contents

NEW!

Korg OT-120 Korg's new Chromatic tuner designed for classical instruments with both sound and meter reading. Automatic and manual settings. This tuner has 8 historical temperaments. Broad range of calibration (349 Hz - 499 Hz). Built-in speaker and microphone. Batteries included (Contact microphone available-$12.50). $130

Violab "Pitchman" Variable Temperament Tuner
An excellent fully chromatic tuner with 16 temperaments and 16 pitch settings from 392 to 442HZ in clustered format (in stock), and 370 thru 466HZ in standard format (special order only). Excellent tuning & temperament tutorial and lifetime warranty on parts and labor. Probably the easiest reference tone to match on the market. Sound output only with variable volume control. $199

Korg CA-30 .
An amazing value. A fully chromatic tuner with an easy-to-read LCD meter. Calibrates from 410 to 480 hz, equal temperament and can deliver a reference tone over one octave. Best of all is its ability to lock on to whatever pitch it hears. Batteries included. (4" x 2 1/2" x 1/2") Fits in your pocket!! This is a new model from Korg. $25

Beautiful covers of heavy padded fabric with carrying handles. These are made up to fit your specific instrument. The outer fabric is Sunbrella (an awning material). Lined with polyester batting and a soft heavyweight flannel inner fabric liner. Special order ca. 4 weeks.


Above left: Italian cover. right: virginal cover