Who invented the harpsicord?

Linus_337

Whilst JS Bach is credited as the inventor on a number of sites, the following site, which provides a history a history of the instrument, suggests that it pre-dates Bach by around 250 years. Alas, the name of the inventor appears to be unknown. http://www.sankey.ws/history.html Oct 01 03, 3:18 PM

Gnomon

The inventor of the harpsichord is unknown. Bach was one of the last people to play the harpsichord because the piano became popular at the end of his life. Oct 01 03, 4:39 PM

mibmob

I wrote a letter to a well-known mediaeval music person many years ago to complain that he had used a harpsichord in one of his pieces and got a snotty letter back sayng that there is evidence for the use of the harpsichord as early as the 15th century. Bach is certainly too late as Monteverdi uses harpsichord continuos in his works. Oct 02 03, 2:25 AM

McGruff

The invention of the harpsichord came from the psaltery, an ancient instrument played with a plectrum. In about the year 1350, a keyboard was added to the psaltery, and the portable harpsichord was invented. The harpsichord was improved in the 1400's in Flanders, and again in the 1500's in Italy. http://www.geocities.com/fairauthor/Entertainment.html A more detailed history with illustrations fails to actually name a specific inventor: http://www.sankey.ws/history.html Feb 04 07, 2:21 PM