Not at all, ellroon. I even like the song. And to all appearances, they even used a "real" harpsichord. But if they're gonna play it like a piano, they may as well use a piano. I'm just sayin'.
For the record: my Gravatar is a pic of me tuning my harpsichord before a job, a donor reception at MFA Houston, a long, long time ago. My hair and beard are a lot grayer than that now. But it's the same harpsichord I use today: Flemish style, 1 manual, 2x8', buff, paint-and-paper finish (traditional for Flemish), gilt trim, two lid mottos (one in badly fractured Latin, as it was on the original), soundboard painting of flowers, bees etc., built and finished by Gerald Self of San Antonio in 1979. I told Gerald that as a Texas builder, he should have included a cockroach in the painting; he was amused, but wasn't willing to bend tradition quite that far. The only modernizations are delrin plectra rather than crow or condor quills, and a transposer that shifts the keyboard by one key to allow playing at modern pitch (A=440hz) or a lower pitch more frequently used 300 years ago (A=415hz). Otherwise, it's pretty much a traditional Flemish-style instrument.
Now that is impressive. I often go with my husband to the local college where we get to hear all types of music played. (He's omnivorous in his love of music). I've seen several different types of harpsichords, some boxy, some very long and thin.
(Even saw a few performances with an armonica (sp?))
Had no idea about modern pitch v early something or other era pitch. Fun to know!
6 comments:
People find strange uses for a harpsichord...
Lol! I hope it didn't offend too much!
Not at all, ellroon. I even like the song. And to all appearances, they even used a "real" harpsichord. But if they're gonna play it like a piano, they may as well use a piano. I'm just sayin'.
For the record: my Gravatar is a pic of me tuning my harpsichord before a job, a donor reception at MFA Houston, a long, long time ago. My hair and beard are a lot grayer than that now. But it's the same harpsichord I use today: Flemish style, 1 manual, 2x8', buff, paint-and-paper finish (traditional for Flemish), gilt trim, two lid mottos (one in badly fractured Latin, as it was on the original), soundboard painting of flowers, bees etc., built and finished by Gerald Self of San Antonio in 1979. I told Gerald that as a Texas builder, he should have included a cockroach in the painting; he was amused, but wasn't willing to bend tradition quite that far. The only modernizations are delrin plectra rather than crow or condor quills, and a transposer that shifts the keyboard by one key to allow playing at modern pitch (A=440hz) or a lower pitch more frequently used 300 years ago (A=415hz). Otherwise, it's pretty much a traditional Flemish-style instrument.
Now that is impressive. I often go with my husband to the local college where we get to hear all types of music played. (He's omnivorous in his love of music). I've seen several different types of harpsichords, some boxy, some very long and thin.
(Even saw a few performances with an armonica (sp?))
Had no idea about modern pitch v early something or other era pitch. Fun to know!
I love the Stranglers, but Skin Deep is my favorite.
That was fun, thanks!
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