Virginals

The virginals or virginal (the plural does not necessarily denote more than one instrument) is a keyboard instrument of the harpsichord family. It was popular in Europe during the late Renaissance and early baroque periods.

Description

A virginal is a smaller and simpler rectangular form of the harpsichord with only one string per note running more or less parallel to the keyboard on the long side of the case. Many, if not most, of the instruments were constructed without legs, and would be placed on a table for playing. Later models were built with their own stands.

Mechanism

The mechanism of the virginals is identical to the harpsichord's, in that its wire strings are plucked by plectra mounted in jacks. Its case, however, is rectangular, and the single choir of strings—one per note—runs roughly parallel to the keyboard. The strings are plucked either at one end, as with the harpsichord, or, in the case of the muselar, nearer the middle producing a richer, flute-like tone.

Etymology