harpsichord
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harpsichord
A historical keyboard instrument in which the strings are plucked by quills and not struck with hammers as in a piano. It was especially common in Baroque music.
In dem Konzert für alte Musik spielte ein Musiker auf einem originalgetreuen Cembalo.
At the early music concert, a musician played on an authentic harpsichord.
The word 'Cembalo' (harpsichord) is a technical term from music. You encounter it almost exclusively in the context of classical music, especially the Baroque period.
Die Sonaten von Bach werden oft auf dem Cembalo interpretiert.
Bach's sonatas are often interpreted on the harpsichord.
When talking about playing the instrument, you use the preposition 'auf' with the dative: 'auf dem Cembalo spielen' (to play the harpsichord).
Sie lernt seit einem Jahr, auf dem Cembalo zu spielen.
She has been learning to play the harpsichord for a year.
The person who plays this instrument is called 'der Cembalist' or 'die Cembalistin' (harpsichordist). These words help you talk about musicians in this field.
Die Cembalistin gab nach dem Konzert noch eine Zugabe.
The harpsichordist gave an encore after the concert.
piano
'das Klavier' and 'das Cembalo' look similar because both have keys and use strings. The important difference is in the sound and the technique. In a piano, small hammers strike the strings, so you can play softly or loudly. In a harpsichord, the strings are plucked; it sounds brighter and is especially suited to early music, especially Baroque music. Learners may confuse the words if they only see the keys. In normal everyday language, people usually mean 'Klavier'; in historical or classical music, 'Cembalo' may be more precise.
Beim Konzert spielte die Musikerin ein altes Stück auf dem Cembalo.
At the concert, the musician played an old piece on the harpsichord.
Im Musikraum steht ein neues Klavier für den Unterricht.
There is a new piano in the music room for lessons.