. Bulletin - United States National Museum. Science. Figure 2.—Polygonal virginal in outer case. {Smn/isivnan /,/wlo 46792.) pins, strings and jacks, and since both types were known as virginals in 17th-century England, it is logical to reserve the term spinet for another kind of instrument, namely the one with the wrest plank and tuning pins in front over the keyboard, and with the strings stretched diagonally. Such instruments were popular in England in the late Hth and early 18th centuries and were known in English as spinets during the period of their popularity. By using the term polygona
. Bulletin - United States National Museum. Science. Figure 2.—Polygonal virginal in outer case. {Smn/isivnan /,/wlo 46792.) pins, strings and jacks, and since both types were known as virginals in 17th-century England, it is logical to reserve the term spinet for another kind of instrument, namely the one with the wrest plank and tuning pins in front over the keyboard, and with the strings stretched diagonally. Such instruments were popular in England in the late Hth and early 18th centuries and were known in English as spinets during the period of their popularity. By using the term polygonal virginal we can distinguish, when neces- sary, the five-sided Italian model from the rectangular instruments usually produced in northern Europe. Some rectangular virginals were made in Italy; one Flemish polygonal virginal, made by the elder Hans Ruckers in 1591, sur\ives. Long instruments, resem- bling the grand piano in shape, are called harpsi- chords. Of course it is understood that both types of virginals as well as the spinet and the harpsichord were keyed chordophones employing the plucking action of jacks and plectra. Throughout this paper the different octaves arc indicated according to the following system: O XI ^ — ^ i -o- 351 33= V5 c, J3 C c' b" 96 BULLETIN : GONlRIBrTIONS FROM THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original United States National Museum; Smithsonian Institution; United States. Dept. of the Interior. Washington : Smithsonian Institution Press, [etc. ]; for sale by the Supt. of Docs. , U. S. Govt Print. Off.
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