Sabathil & Son Clavichord demonstration - Well-Tempered Clavichord

[MrCavitysChessCorner]

I never imagined hearing Prelude on a Clavichord. If you ever have the time, would you mind uploading prelude in G?

You have a beautiful instrument, sir.

[TheWood005]

Thanks a lot for posting this video. I found the close ups of the action very interesting. It does not seem like the action could provide the level of sound that it does. Very impressive!

[gcastro44]

The clavichord was Bach's favorite instrument.

[felixnauta]

It sounds so well, great difference between one clavichord and another.

[denisethepainter]

Great music and instrument and gorgeous performance to fall in love with. Big fan here of the clavichord.

[SPS148669]

kinda sounds like a guitar

[sm1Ley50]

@SPS148669 what song is being played

[harmonicbarbie]

@sm1Ley50 The piece is "The Well-Tempered Clavier".

[TheStatue1]

lovely playing and great close-up video and recording quality.....

[BOSSTOMI2]

I am a guy that loves Jazz and Power metal but i really like how the clavichord sounds and the celtic music :). Its just nice ^^

[andristic]

that is one sick instrument! thanks for uploading the video

[petrusmalk]

This is the Grandfather of piano.

[markusboyd3]

I want one!

[auro1001]

This is the most beautiful sounding clavichord I've ever heard.

[TheDeadlyDelilah]

I really enjoyed this video because as well as hearing what it sounds like the close ups of the various parts of the instrument were really informative as far as demonstrating its mechanism and construction, and also to show what a beautiful specimen this particular clavichord is.

Thankyou for posting this!

[harmonicbarbie]

@TheDeadlyDelilah Glad you found it enjoyable and informative, and thanks for the kind words :)

[alphamaha2]

Very beautiful sound.

[megast2]

isn't clavichord a pretty quiet instrument? would work a lot better in an apartment building than a piano. nice sound too. do they make these anymore?

[harmonicbarbie]

@megast2 Yes, the clavichord is a relatively quiet instrument compared to the piano, and the harpsichord as well. Perfect for apartment living, as it won't wake up the neighbours! And yes, there are instrument makers still building clavichords around the world.

[gcastro44]

@megast2 yes. back in the baroque era, if one was to perform at home or a quiet, intimate setting, they would use a clavichord. if they were to perform in a hall, they would use a harpsichord.

[kensingtonpalace]

do clavichords pluck or strike the string?

[harmonicbarbie]

@kensingtonpalace Good question! Clavichords strike the strings, while harpsichords pluck.

[cobmetal5]

cual es el precio de un clavicordio igual?

[TheMrGreenhalgh]

bach preferred his well tempered clavier to be played on clavichord for anybody interested :)

[imogenheap12345]

i can play it on piano??? LOL i love the sound

[x2mars]

What a beautiful sound! I don't know much about the harpsichord, but I read that it's common for the musician to tune his own harpsichord. Is this true? Thanks!

[harmonicbarbie]

@x2mars Thanks for the compliment. Yes, you can learn to tune your own clavichord and harpsichord!

[stargirlsusan]

damn, now i want one

[MrLandale]

It sounds very clean, almost like a harpsichord.

[mattybock]

sounds so much like zelda music. beautiful.

[Gonnakillyou]

That's the first Clavichord I've ever heard whose sound I consider beautiful.

[harmonicbarbie]

@Gonnakillyou Thanks, that's a kind compliment!

[thetoxicsoul]

I love it! It looks and sounds so beautiful! How much do one of these typically cost? I wanna know how many lotteries I should win, haha. :)

[Hoopermazing]

Call me crazy, but I have always preferred the sound of clavichords and harpsichords to pianos.

[Daphonester]

i like this instrument, it sounds like a piano/harp mix

[classicalaccordion]

How often do these need to be tuned?

[harmonicbarbie]

Our instruments are exceptionally stable due to the light aluminum frame. If the clavichord is kept in a room free of drafts and direct sunlight, it should stay in tune for weeks to months at a time.

[cjhwth81]

Is this piece the exact chords as Ave Maria?

[iloveffvii]

It is Bach's prelude in C major, on which Gounod based his Ave Maria. So yes, the exact chords. (:

[scsteeldrums]

@iloveffvii Actually, they differ by one measure. Gounod added one measure after Bach's 22nd measure in order to better accommodate the vocal melody by pre-emptively giving away the pedal G. Harmonically, this is "less perfect," but thankfully the performer in this video is true to the Bach original. Some editions of the C Major prelude (such as the Czerny) still print the Gounod version. If you were to try to sing Ave Maria to this you would end 1 measure late. The difference is at 1:13

[oshidonimlop]

I love the brilliant sound of this instrument; it has a beutiful design. Do all clavichords project this much, because I would really like to get one but I am afraid that one could be too soft.

[harmonicbarbie]

I encourage you to view some of the other clavichord videos on YouTube; you will find that not all are created equal. Our instruments are known for their exceptional resonance, which makes them highly suitable for recording, performance and/or accompaniment with other instruments.

[SixthTreeAtNoon]

That sounds so pretty, i wish i could have one :D

[pato0231]

whats the song he's playing, its nice, i like the harpsichord better

[andrewwojcik21]

It's the first prelude from Bach's 'Well-Tempered Clavier.'

[a32Unity]

I always want to see at this "piano " from old century . This has name Vibratto? I can think Enya from Ieland use it very often at her amazing music

[terzicihanbey]

Hypnotic..

[Zeitgeist1208]

That sounds so beautiful and in my opinion better than on a piano or something comparable.

[gvi341984]

So amazing

[sapphiresanchez]

wow that is magical

[carlojazz]

Very nice sound, do you have more videos on this clavichord?

[harmonicbarbie]

Thanks! You can find another short video of this clavichord by clicking on the "More From: harmonicbarbie" link just under the video description section.

[Rutherford94]

Thank you so much for this video!

[maciex47]

It's amazing instrument

[Cindermakers]

Do you guys make 5 octave instruments?

[harmonicbarbie]

No, we build this one unfretted model of clavichord, the Dolce, exclusively at the moment.

[dantebulsara]

lastima que el arte es lo unico bueno de la edad media  hermoso clavicordio felicitacioens

[monasolisa]

this is absolutely beautiful, u made my day ^_^

[tomfreerun]

whats this song called?

[mortson978]

prelude in c major no.1, bach. from the well tempered clavier book.

[rogeliosarambeta]

Espectacular sonido, es como viajar a la edad media!

[Dodo251]

beautiful sound!

[SuhachiChutchen]

I wonder how much for a good and cheap harpsichord and clavichord...

[harmonicbarbie]

Feel free to contact us via our website (see the video description) for pricing...thanks!

[BurnRoddy]

I asume that not just make but also tune one of this has to be one of the hardest things on the planet.

I cannot imagine myself selling one of them after I saw the proccess of making it from absolute zero to one of the most beautiful musical instruments ever designed.

This instrument should not die.I myslef almost forgot it's name if it wasn't for you guys, but the sound is clear, vivid and unique.

Even though I could never afford one of them congratulations and thankyou.

[incasmaya]

best modern clavichord ever!

[harmonicbarbie]

Thank you...that was our goal!

[aerotechway1]

I remember playing that for my piano class.

[BeauJames59]

The sound takes my breath away......it's so beautiful..

[kenan6346]

how long do strings on this instrument last for? also, does it go out of tune easily?

[harmonicbarbie]

The strings last literally for decades. If taken care of, eg, kept in a room away from direct sunlight and drafts, our clavichords and harpsichords are virtually "no-maintenance" instruments. Because they are made with a light aluminum frame, they are incredibly stable and do not go out of tune easily; they stay in tune for much longer periods than most wood-framed instruments. Our customers love them!

[lxlxleech]

wow, its so cool, meow

[red425]

It seems well tempered :P

[harmonicbarbie]

It is indeed well-tempered...dare I say, sweet-tempered :-)

[IntelInside2020]

what a gorgeous instrument!!

[lob31]

Never heard one of these before. It sounds like a guitar.

[AKsib2]

awesome!

[melvis24]

Wow that one really sounds great! So much sustain for a clavichord. Just like a small harpsichord.

[Hakurox5]

how much would a clavichord like this be??

[harmonicbarbie]

Thanks for asking! YouTube has restrictions on what one can post or email on this site (eg, URLs, prices, etc), so we invite you to visit our website listed in this video's description and contact us from there. We look forward to hearing from you!

[clownfishyi1994]

hi. are these clavichord's expensive. you see, i have just gotten into the world of keyboards and i have a baby grand piano wich i will be re-finishing next year, but i would like to try to get a clavichord, and a harpsichord. where is a good place where i can fined these used and very cheap. thanx

[uggycom]

A bit fast for the Baroque era. Would have been better played slower to match the style and atmosphere of the clavichord and Baroque Era. However, well done, excellent effort!

[pennymusicMAma]

harmonicbarbie, Ah, Beautiful & the Bach Prelude in C! Thank You! ' The Clavichord Dolce' - Penny

[OMFGL0LWTF]

That's quite impressive, looks like the clavichord taken to another level.

[harmonicbarbie]

Thank you! That's an excellent way of describing our clavichords. The best historical features combined with modern materials & design make for an exceptionally responsive and resonant instrument.

[skimboley]

excellent.

[scat4u]

how hard is it to tune one of these??

[harmonicbarbie]

Since our clavichords are single strung, with one note per key, tuning is quite straightforward to learn. The aluminum frame keeps the instrument very stable, so any tuning you do will be occasional, not constant, as with many wood-framed instruments.

[frankg1975]

how much for a clavichord like this one? thanks

[harmonicbarbie]

YouTube has restrictions on what one can post or email on this site (eg, URLs, prices, etc), so we invite you to visit our website listed in this video's description and contact us from there. We look forward to hearing from you!

[hammondelegante]

Is this still for sale?

How can I buy one?

[harmonicbarbie]

Yes, you can buy one of our clavichords by contacting us through our website - it's listed in the description section of this video.

[KMNKeybordValt]

Sell That To Me Please I want 1

[harmonicbarbie]

We'd be happy to!

[lwnf360]

I must say, as someone who knows next to nothing about these instruments, your clavichord sounds much better than any of the other examples here on youtube. Given what I've heard from the others, I would say that this is what the instrument is supposed to sound like.

[harmonicbarbie]

Thanks for the compliment! We incorporate a light aluminum frame into our instruments, which results in exceptional resonance and stability. Most clavichords are designed with traditional wood frames, which are not truly adequate to hold the string tension over time, resulting in reduced sound quality and performance.

[hijbuist]

Even though I play guitar I think this is kinda cool

[PeriodinstrumentfaN]

i would like to know how much your clavichords cost ? Thanks !!! :->

[Morahman7vnNo2]

Wow! (So Thats How It Works) Well Done! Do They Come In 88's?

[harmonicbarbie]

Thanks For The Compliment! To Answer Your Question, No, Clavichords Do Not Come In 88s, As The Music They Were Meant To Play (Early Music Such As Bach) Was Played Within The Shorter Range Of Keys. Our Clavichord Is Built With 54 Notes.

[Morahman7vnNo2]

Then I'll Have To Make One, So That People Can Play Jazz On It; Up Gotta Bring The Instraments Like The Clavichord Back Somehow.

[the486kid]

I think you may run into problems voicing the lowest and highest notes, but if you overcome and succeed I can't wait to hear it!

[Chrisjuchniewicz]

Amazing!

[galnicco]

what a wonderful sound. This is the best clavichord sound I've heard here on YouTube! It's a pity I don't have the money to get one of these marvels... they must cost a lot... :(

Sabathils, you build very musical and fantastic instruments... I had a look at your Harpsichord too and that is wonderful, too!

[harmonicbarbie]

Thank you for your kind compliments! For some reason your comment only appeared on this page today, 3 weeks after you posted it. I think you would be surprised at the cost of our clavichords; they are amongst the most reasonably priced in the world!

[galnicco]

Thank YOU back for your clavichords! ;)

Well I surely trust you, but I'm a student and still only 18... Maybe I'll get one when I'm older and have a steady job ;)

Go on like that! ;)

[classicalmusic1mzrt]

I wish I had one. ;-)

[FernandRaynaud]

Just wonderful. Heartfelt playing and a fine instrument! Mr Sabathil's clavichords resemble most a Schiedmeyer instrument from 1791 heard on several tracks on The Secret Mozart CD (played by Chris Hogwood), only with better stability and projection. Thank you!

[harmonicbarbie]

Thank you for your kind compliments! Interesting to hear the comparison to the Schiedmeyer; I'll have to track down that CD and have a listen.

Best,

Barb

[dontbleedthadalo]

amazing

[harmonicbarbie]

Thanks! Sometimes one word says it all :-)

[sandyhackney]

I looked for your website for further information on your clavichords but couldn't find it. Please post. Thank you. PS Enjoyed the Bach!

[EldKatt]

Badly tuned, unfortunately. Some C-E thirds sound almost Pythagorean, which isn't exactly what you'd want for this piece.

[harmonicbarbie]

Admittedly, my father is not a professional harpsichordist, the video was made as a demonstration, and the piece was chosen spontaneously...otherwise, point taken. :-)

[Steinbiten]

This is G major right??

[4444matthew4444]

no C major Das Wolhtemprete Klavier Livre 1-Prelude no.1

[Steinbiten]

aah, memorie!!! I remember my first bass teacher learned this to me=D

[ssuahneseiw]

This instrument sounds great!!

[harmonicbarbie]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it! :-)

[allengarvin]

How odd, I've never seen a clavichord with a metal frame before. Is that to keep the strings at higher tension? It does sound quite a bit louder than my Zuckermann, if the recording can be judged fairly.

[harmonicbarbie]

The metal frame actually helps to carry the string tension, reducing the strain on the soundboard and case, and thereby preventing the clavichord from twisting or warping over time, as wood-framed instruments have been known to do. It also makes for a very stable instrument, requiring much less tuning than is typical. The clarity and volume of our clavichords and harpsichords comes primarily from the combination of the metal frame and the superb resonance of the 300-year old cedar soundboard.

[pipeorganDUDE]

nice prelude

[DanSandwich]

either you have HUGE hands or that chlavichord is TINY

[harmonicbarbie]

it's a bit of both...since it is an unfretted clavichord, it's in the smaller range in overall size, and the keys are slightly smaller than standard piano keys, but if your fingers fit piano keys, they'll fit this instrument's keys. my father also builds these clavichords with portability in mind. as for the size of his hands, well...he's a harpsichord maker, not a professional clavichordist, so it works out ok for him ;-)

[MissyHolland]

As a Bach fan I appreciate the pun in your title!

The WTC is always welcome in my house.

[bloozeman101]

well done a really nice sound

[harmonicbarbie]

Thanks, we appreciate the feedback! Beautiful sounding and stable instruments are what we strive for...

[michaeljking]

is That an unfretted single strung instrument?

[harmonicbarbie]

Yes, you observed correctly...our clavichords are unfretted, 54 notes, C to f'", one string per note. You can view more details, if you like, on our webpage listed in this video's description. Enjoyed your site and instruments, by the way!

[rappixch]

Ist dieses Clavichord gebunden?

Es gibt nichts schöneres, als ein solches Instrument um Mitternacht zu spielen, wenn der Alltagslärm verschwunden ist.

[harmonicbarbie]

Nein, unser Klavichord is nicht gebunden. Es hat einen wirklich guten Klang und, wie gesagt, ist das geeignete mitternachts instrument. Wir bauen diese Instrumente und verschicken sie in die ganze Welt an solche Liebhaber wie Sie!

[Ribozyme]

Wonderful! It's the first time I see a clavichord being played. And the close-ups! If the harpsichord is rather rare, the clavichord is an order of magnitude (or two) rarer. I understand the clavichord sound is quite softer than the harpsichord (something you can't tell with recorded music) being that the reason why it's almost never used for public performances. I'm gonna check your website.

[harmonicbarbie]

Glad you liked it! You're right, the clavichord is much quieter than the harpsichord, so public performances would be less common than with the harpsichord. Luckily, you can buy musical recordings to indulge your love of the clavichord's sweet sound! Interestingly, some of our customers say that practicing the clavichord actually improves their harpsichord playing...a nice bonus!

[harmonicbarbie]

The keys are slightly smaller than piano keys, but good news - if your fingers fit on piano keys, you can play our clavichords. :-) If you're looking for more info. on our instruments, our website is posted in this video's description section.

[EmdrGreg]

What a lovely instrument. The prelude is played well. It isn't nearly as easy a piece as it seems, is it? We don't hear the clavichord enough. Thank you.

[harmonicbarbie]

So glad you enjoyed our clavichord and my father's playing! Maybe I'll have to convince him to create a few more videos, since everyone has been so appreciative of our first somewhat "ad hoc" production... ;-)

[EmdrGreg]

I'd like to learn more about the clavichords, too. You must be on-line; I'll check. Harmonicbarbie, are the keys standard piano-sized keys?  They seem narrower, but it may be your father's large & muscular hands that make the keys appear smaller.

[esland]

What a magnificent instrument! and such a beautiful touch you have!

[harmonicbarbie]

Thanks, Joel! The video is of my father, a harpsichord maker, playing one of the clavichords he builds.

I will pass your compliment on to him! :-)

Are you interested in clavichords or harpsichords yourself?

Barb

[esland]

very much so. I'm not very good at either but enjoy them both. For the most part I like the clavichord better. I feel you can put alot more expression into it than you can the harpsichord.

[harmonicbarbie]

Yes, the clavichord does allow more expression, I agree.

I'm not a great player, either...but what matters is the enjoyment you get out of playing, right? :-)