# Clavichord

- By: Dirk Stoop (Utrecht, ca. –1686)
- Date: c. 1650 - c. 1655
- Medium: ivory, iron (metal), ebony (wood), softwood, brass (alloy), oil paint (paint)
- Classification: musical instrument
- Dimensions: instrument: height 10 cm x width 83 cm x depth 28 cm
- Museum: [Rijksmuseum](https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/object/BK-NM-9487--622fe87467ec514d71e21ff639779cec)
- Rights: [Public Domain Mark](http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/)
- Picture: https://invisiblenetwork.ai/thumbs/web/3db1e63fdab0b6f626b188cd4bab1fe1.jpg
- Who can see it: Tweens profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

In the clavichord each string is struck by a small piece of metal called a tangent. Its touch-sensitive action allows great expressiveness in playing, although its small size and softness of sound make it unsuitable for large-scale public performance. Nevertheless, the clavichord was an ideal home practice instrument for keyboard players, especially organists, and a perfect tool for composers.