A Guide to the Harpsichord

Rating:
Summary: Written by someone who loves the instrument.
Review: Ann Bond has written a comprehensive study of the harpsichord: it's history, how to buy, how to tune and regulate, playing (as opposed to playing a piano), fingering, and choosing literature. On this last count the book is especially useful as she reviews specific editions of the music. Her touch and fingering instructions are insightful and accurately described, and her survey of ornamentation is among the clearest I've read. If you are thinking of buying, building or learning to play the harpsichord, please read this book first.

Rating:
Summary: Written by someone who loves the instrument.
Review: Ann Bond has written a comprehensive study of the harpsichord: it's history, how to buy, how to tune and regulate, playing (as opposed to playing a piano), fingering, and choosing literature. On this last count the book is especially useful as she reviews specific editions of the music. Her touch and fingering instructions are insightful and accurately described, and her survey of ornamentation is among the clearest I've read. If you are thinking of buying, building or learning to play the harpsichord, please read this book first.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent & Comprehensive Introduction to the Harpsichord
Review: Ann Bond has written an outstanding introduction to the many aspects of the Harpsichord. Her main audience is existing keyboard players coming to the Harpsichord though as a Classical Guitarist I found this book to be immensely useful.

While Ann Bond is clearly hugely knowledgeable about her subject she never allows too much information to get in the way of putting her key points across in an informative and well-reasoned manner. The book is very readable and her style and enthusiasm mean that reading this book is enjoyable throughout.

Chapters deal with the range of subjects which those coming fresh to the Harpsichord need to confront. These include issues of the instrument itself such as maintenance and how acquire, key differences with the piano especially regarding fingering, an overview of different styels of instruments and music as well as a very useful summary of the main Harpsichord repertoire including a listing of Bachs Harpsichord music. In addition there are sections on Figured Bass and how to play with other musicians.

In taking up this instrument I have found answers to all of the questions I have had and the advice has been thoroughly practical.

Indispensable to anyone interested in playing the Harpsichord.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent & Comprehensive Introduction to the Harpsichord
Review: Ann Bond has written an outstanding introduction to the many aspects of the Harpsichord. Her main audience is existing keyboard players coming to the Harpsichord though as a Classical Guitarist I found this book to be immensely useful.

While Ann Bond is clearly hugely knowledgeable about her subject she never allows too much information to get in the way of putting her key points across in an informative and well-reasoned manner. The book is very readable and her style and enthusiasm mean that reading this book is enjoyable throughout.

Chapters deal with the range of subjects which those coming fresh to the Harpsichord need to confront. These include issues of the instrument itself such as maintenance and how acquire, key differences with the piano especially regarding fingering, an overview of different styels of instruments and music as well as a very useful summary of the main Harpsichord repertoire including a listing of Bachs Harpsichord music. In addition there are sections on Figured Bass and how to play with other musicians.

In taking up this instrument I have found answers to all of the questions I have had and the advice has been thoroughly practical.

Indispensable to anyone interested in playing the Harpsichord.

Rating:
Summary: An invaluable reference manual/history for harpsichordists
Review: Ann Bond's A Guide To The Harpsichord is a practical, "reader friendly" guide to one of the truly classical instruments of European music which treats the mechanics and evolution of the instrument while offering an informative survey of thematically appropriate literature. Students of the Harpsichord will find a wealth of advice on touch and technique (including articulation and fingering), along with a lucid exposition of the issues involved in historical performance practice accompanied by a clear explanation of ornamentation. A Guide To The Harpsichord is an invaluable reference manual and history for students of the instrument, as well as a highly recommended addition to music history and classical music department reference library collections.

Rating:
Summary: An invaluable reference manual/history for harpsichordists
Review: Ann Bond's A Guide To The Harpsichord is a practical, "reader friendly" guide to one of the truly classical instruments of European music which treats the mechanics and evolution of the instrument while offering an informative survey of thematically appropriate literature. Students of the Harpsichord will find a wealth of advice on touch and technique (including articulation and fingering), along with a lucid exposition of the issues involved in historical performance practice accompanied by a clear explanation of ornamentation. A Guide To The Harpsichord is an invaluable reference manual and history for students of the instrument, as well as a highly recommended addition to music history and classical music department reference library collections.

Rating:
Summary: Not really a guide
Review: I bought this book because I just inherited my first harpsichord and I thought this book would answer some questions I had after receiving it. The book spends the first few chapters going over the history, then one chapter on how it works with very few illustrations, and then the rest of the book is devoted entirely to playing the instrument. I had hoped to see more illustrations and a glossary of terms but was disappointed upon reading it. I would recommend this book to someone interested in a brief overview of the instrument and mostly learning to play, but not for someone who want to better understand the instruments inner workings.