CBH Extending the keyboard lambstongue

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Carey Beebe demonstrating how to extend the lambstongue on the natural key heads.

The natural key covers of harpsichords and clavichords are glued on in two parts, with ornamental tram tracks at the rear of the natural head according to tradition. The initial rounding of the sides of the head can be done these days by machine, but this leaves a lambstongue which is best extended to the lines by hand. A safe-edge file is used to remove the lambstongue, followed by 240-grit abrasive paper to blend the rounding into the playing surface of the key head.

Unfretted Clavichord after J.C. Gerlach, Carey Beebe Sydney 2008, private commission under construction for a Sydney musician.

Category:

Howto & Style

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• clavichord
• clavicorde
• clavicordo
• clavicordio
• 無碼條擊弦古鋼琴
• 独立弦式クラヴィコード
• keyboard
• harpsichord
• DIY
• hpschdnu

[meyerchen86]

this kind of ornament seems to be common in harpsichord keys. does it have a practical use to? what is the official name/term? i can hardly find anything in the internet about it. thx

[hpschdnu]

This rounding occurs in a greater or lesser extent in most early keyboard instruments including organs. Naturals on some instruments are almost pillow-shaped. There could be some practical advantage in helping the finger to centre on the key. Whatever the original intention, it is a nice finishing touch.

[hpschdnu]

The sides of the natural heads are rounded back to the tram track for the full depth of the keycover. As the keycover is nominally 2.5mm thick, the radius of the rounding is the same.

[Ianthe22]

@hpschdnu it does several things for the keyboard player. One doesn't get things stuck in between the gaps(avoid breaking your nails for instance. easier to slide up and down the keyboard. And last but not least to make the section between each whitekey(in this case black-) more clear. But yeah, originally it was probably just done for looks and and a more nice and smooth touch.

[michaeljking]

thanks for this video, what radius is the chamfer/or what router bit size is used to do this?