Why I hate the harpsichord

[joft]

The harpsichord represents everything about classical music that I dislike. To me, it is the most frivolous sounding of all the instruments. It may have a capacity for dramatic or moving sound, but that doesn't seem to be ever explored. I may be mistaken, but the harpsichord seems to be employed mostly in rather boring and unstimulating chamber music. I dislike the sound of the instrument itself; yet, I could tolerate that much. But add to that the only way which it ever seems to be used, and I simply cannot allow my brain to be bothered ciphering the input from my sense of hearing any longer.

Today as I drove to and from my relatives' houses listening to Christmas music, I was unwillingly reminded of a part toward the end of Handel's "Messiah" where the line "And we shall be changed" is sung (opera style) over and over, repeatedly, for about 3 minutes. This type of superficial recanting of the same lyrics in different tone and rhythm invokes the same response of distaste from me that does the harpsichord.

For me classical music brings a level of depth to music that no other genre can, that is what I listen to it for. So, when I listen to it and I'm confronted by shallow, doting, uninspiring music, I feel like I've been ripped off.

[Claverhouse]

I feel much the same way about the guitar.



Claverhouse :ph34r:


[ And Handel... Shudders violently. ]

[Sugaraddict2702]

On the contrary, I can think of plenty of music with a harpsichord that I like. and I play classical guitar too...all depends on the piece itself though. playing the viola for several years has learned me to appreciate some things I never would've liked before.

~°´sugaraddict`°~

[songbird36]

The harpsichord will always be the poor relation to the piano.

I personally find the Banjo more irritating

[jetboots]

the harpsicord produces a sound and atmosphere completely unique to itself, and for that reason I like it. It puts me in a much more "middle ages" type mindset, which I enjoy.

[Boneca]

Whoa, the harpsichord (assuming that's the same thing as a cembalo?) is one of my favourite instruments!
On the other hand, I never liked the piano, because it has such a harsh and shrill sound, especially in the higher part of the register. The harpsichord sounds softer, somehow.

[Sam172]

I have never heard one, so I went on an internet quest for some music with it in. I found this site, with an mp3 of a harpsichord on it

http://www.henrylim.org/Harpsichord.html

I nearly cried with laughter

*edit*
oh...wait a minute....that harpsichord is made out of lego 0_o

[jimkopelli]

Blue Man Group does a piece called Piano Smasher where they basically beat the crap out of a cimbalom... a relative of the dreaded harpsichord... I liked it... but agreed, some classical music was only good if there was nothing else to listen to, like in the case that it hadn't been invented yet.

[Sugaraddict2702]

The harpsichord will always be the poor relation to the piano.

I personally find the Banjo more irritating

without the harpsichord, there would not have been a piano.
but indeed, a banjo is as irritating as hell.

~°´sugaraddict`°~

[Claverhouse]

Oh I like banjos. And ukeleles: ukeleles are good.

Back in the 1930s there was an English entertainer called George Formby ( junior, his music-hall dad was also George ): his tunes are also good.

As far as the guitar goes, Chet Atkins had a good style; but most modern music is pretty lame anyway from Presley onwards.



Claverhouse :ph34r:

[Edmond Zedo]

I was just about to post a thread called "Why I love the harpsichord." It couldn't be simply because it pleases my ears--Too easy. No, it must stem from some childhood association.

[Dman]

Nothing matches the beautiful, passionate, haunting harmony of the mouth harp.

[CreativeChaos]

I actually took harpsichord lessons for a quarter. Just because it is rare to even be around a harpsichord, much less play one. They cost a whale of a lot of money. Harpsichord strings are plucked, not hammered, like a piano. Thus, supposedly it's a cousin to the Harp.

Anybody care? :zzz: Ohhh, okay, then I'll continue. As I was saying ;P , it's all the Composers fault!! Yeah! I can't stand *any* music that is *shallow* and repetative. Classical music can definetely get that way. Most of Mozart is in my book. Put on some Brahms and then... ahhhh. Jazz, uckkk! That can get awfully boring and repetitious, and I could go on... :laser:

Ok, but, written and utilized appropriately, the harpsichord can be "soothing","enchanting", "haunting", "dreamy", and other such stuff. I likes! :wub:

[Johnny]

You don't get the kind of control over dynamics on a harpsichord that you get on a piano, and that's a very big handicap. It otherwise generates a pleasant sound to my ears.