Spinet facts for kids
A spinet
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| Other names | Spinnet, Spinnit |
|---|---|
| Classification | Keyboard instrument |
| Related instruments | |
| Harpsichord | |
A spinet is a smaller type of harpsichord. It was a popular musical instrument long ago. People often had spinets in their homes during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. These times were from the 14th to the 18th centuries. Spinets were liked because they cost less than a harpsichord. They also took up less space in a house.
Sometimes, the word "spinet" was spelled differently. You might see it as "spinnet" or "spinnit" in old texts.
What Makes a Spinet Special?
A spinet looks and sounds a lot like a harpsichord. However, there are some key differences. The main difference is how the strings are placed inside. In a spinet, the strings run at an angle to the right. This gives the whole instrument a shape similar to a triangle.
How Spinets Make Sound
The strings inside a spinet are arranged in pairs. The parts that pluck the strings are called "jacks." These jacks also come in pairs. They are placed in the wider spaces between the string pairs. Each jack plucks the string next to it to create a sound.
Unlike some harpsichords, a spinet can only make one type of sound. A harpsichord might have different "stops" to change its sound. Think of it like an organ having different sounds. A spinet does not have this feature. It always produces an "8-foot sound." This means the notes play at their normal pitch. They do not sound an octave higher or lower. Spinets were very useful for accompanying singers or other instruments.
Images for kids
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Spinet built in 1765 by Johann Heinrich Silbermann. This one is at the Bachhaus in Eisenach, Germany.
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This diagram shows how the jacks and strings are set up in a bentside spinet. The jacks are usually hidden under a rail in the middle of the instrument.
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A spinet made by Zenti in 1637. It is now in the Musical Instrument Museum in Brussels.
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Girl at a Spinet, a painting from 1871 by Gabriel von Max.
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A beautifully decorated pentagonal spinet from 1577 by Annibale dei Rossi. It has 49 keys.
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A modern bentside spinet built by Clavecins Rouaud, Paris.
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A spinet piano made by Baldwin under the brand name Acrosonic.
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A spinet piano manufactured by Gulbransen.
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A close-up view of the inside of the Gulbransen spinet piano. You can see how the parts are arranged to fit in the small case.
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See also
In Spanish: Espineta para niños
