Harpsichord

Harpsichord is offered at all levels of study, both graduate and undergraduate. Lessons are available to students with prior keyboard experience by audition. It is possible to major or minor in harpsichord performance and to elect harpsichord for the B.M. in Piano Performance to fulfill the secondary keyboard requirement.

The Scheidt School of Music has three harpsichords: a Richard Kingston single and a double; a Tom Bailey spinet. There are also two clavichords: a Zuckerman kit and a Haas.

Harpsichord students study touch, technique, ornamentation, and articulation as well as the different national schools (English, German, Spanish, Italian, French, etc.) of style. Continuing students usually study contemporary harpsichord music in addition to the usual Renaissance, Baroque, and early Classical eras. Students may also elect to study figured bass and continuo playing.