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Keyboard instrumentsEarly musical instrumentsPlucked string instruments keyboard instrumentsplectrumpsalteryclavichordpianoaccompanimentspinetsRenaissanceBaroqueorchestraWilliam ByrdFrançois CouperinDomenico ScarlattiJohann Sebastian Bachpreludefuguekey Harpsichords Harpsichord From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (Redirected from Virginal) Jump to navigation Jump to search Harpsichord Harpsichord in the Flemish style Classification Keyboard instrument Related instruments Spinet Portrait of a girl playing a virginal Harpsichords are keyboard instruments that make sound by having the strings plucked with a plectrum. They are thought to have originated when a keyboard was attached to a psaltery. This makes them different from a clavichord where the strings are hit. The piano is therefore closer to a clavichord than a harpsichord. On a piano it is possible to play louder or quieter by playing the keys with more or less force. On a harpsichord t...