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The harpsichord is a keyboard instrument common from about 1500 to 1800, during the Renaissance and Baroque eras, and revived in the early 20th century.
Although it looks much like a piano, the harpsichord uses quills called plectrums to pluck the strings rather than hammers to strike them. This gives the harpsichord a harsh, percussive sound. Many harpsichords have a second set of strings pitched an octave higher or lower to create changes in volume. Otherwise, the harpsichord plays at the same volume no matter how hard or soft the keys are pressed.
Unlike the clavichord whose strings are placed perpendicular to the keys, the harpsichord is shaped like a grand piano, the strings stretching away from the player in the same direction as the keys.
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