Clavichord
An instrument resembling a square piano. The strings were vibrated by forcing wedge-shaped pieces of brass called tangents against them. By depressing the Cimarosa, Dominico (chee-mah-ro-sah). Composer; Italy. B. 1749; d. 1801. Clapisson, Antonie L. (clah-pee-song). Composer and pianist; Italy. B. 1808; d. 1866. CLOSE HARMONY keys, the tangent acted both as a means of vibrating the string and as a bridge. When the finger was raised, the string was damped by a piece of woolen cloth wrapped round it, between the tangent and the pin-block. The chief interest in this obsolete instrument is the fact that it was the favorite of J. S. Bach.
Claviçon (Fr.) (cla-vee-soong) [from Lat. clavis, a key]. The harpsichord.