My Covid-19 Pandemic Project: Building a Troubadour Virginal Harpsichord

[@meilinchan7314]

As an ethnic Chinese I have always wondered what would happen if we used traditional Chinese, Indian or Pakistani motifs to decorate virginals and harpsichords.

[@OCCA]

I think it could be a lovely piece of art reflecting your cultural heritage.

[@TheMadisonHang]

I noticed that Laquer box It's a very fine piece of furniture, isn't it

[@hori166]

OMG! You built it from scratch! I built a Zuckerman Flemish Single (the one in your December 11, 2020 video) in 1978 in my apartment from a pre-cut, partially assembled kit, e.g. the keyboard was already done. It was kind of like putting together a model airplane, but with a lot more parts, some moving. I made a couple of mistakes not having any professionals around to consult and working from the manual. The key to the harpsichord is the soundboard, which must be shaved thinner around the treble and bent side edge. 45 years later, it sounds marvelous!

[@buskman3286]

Excellent! Very nicely done!

[@theophilos0910]

Interesting kit-virginal-spinet overview - we would have lov’d to have heard the instrument actually being play’d (v.g. ‘Solfegietto in c-minor’ by C.Ph.E. Bach) to actually hear the results of all the hard work that went into building this thing !!

[@JoyceChenMusic]

Thank you!!! I will do that in a future video!

[@deanedge5988]

You really are a person of remarkable talent and determination. I love the combination of aesthetics in your decoration. Truly astonishing to think of the genius of the people who first worked out how to build these beautiful soulful instruments especially with the technologies of the time.

[@Tatenak]

True skill!

[@pietersmal5903]

I'm waiting to hear the instrument. Instead I hear generic background music. What???

[@doriandorian-d7r]

hi!! superb job!!! please do you have any plans to copy this project? i'm a school teacher and want to teach this love you did to my pupils!! thanks!!

[@marksabre85]

Amazing work Joyce ! Thank you for making this video !

[@sherylchow681]

Getting to see the whole process of building a musical instrument is really wonderful. Thank you so much for the video!

[@JoyceChenMusic]

thank you Sheryl!!

[@luisblanco3619]

Hermoso trabajo!!! Felicidades!!!

[@blipblip88]

Italian virginal harpsichord design with Flemish decorations.

[@jimbo2629]

It is still beautiful. A Flemish Ravallement 😀.

[@intelligenceservices]

building an harpsichord is one of my life goals, you rock!

[@coolguyzack]

Amazing work and congrats on your PhD! Is the use of lead weights a continuation of historical building practices, or is it just practical given lead's malleability and density? I'm hoping to build or restore a harpsichord in the next few years and I'd like to avoid the use of heavy metals. I'm wondering if machined stainless steel would work similarly.

[@loupiottt]

A German piano workshop called Klangmanufaktur in Hamburg now make brass weight instead of using lead, but if I remember correctly it's quite expensive next to lead, but it is now somehow possible without heavy metals !

[@HarpsichordVinylGallery]

Very nicely built and visualized. I guess you will have become a new view about what a virginal harpsichord is all about after this adventure. And what makes the sound better or worse. Very educational.

[@JoyceChenMusic]

Yes! for sure, this has been a highly informative experience for myself as well!!

[@AriKihel]

Awesome

[@Scuretat]

During covid i failed pizza cooking

[@andrenieuwlaat9097]

Very impressive, and educational !

[@rumeunner3245]

Is that your brother lending a hand?

[@陳小君-n8v]

讚

[@jungorgan]

I loved your videos!

[@JoyceChenMusic]

thank you for the support!!

[@danielplaw]

Very very impressive and educational. Thank you for sharing.

[@JoyceChenMusic]

thank you so much for your support!

[@MichaelSmith-gm5dl]

Thank you for making your video. I am about to order the same kit from Zuckerman and am glad to see that it's doable - with a lot of patience. Also, I saw your rendition of Byrd's My Lady Nevell's Ground ... you play wonderfully.

[@BAgodmode]

I mean, it couldn’t have been hard to find a harpsichord that wasn’t fucked.

[@alastairwilson457]

Fantastic work, Joyce! I am rebuilding a David Bolton French double harpsichord kit - it is taking me ages!

[@broquemusician]

What is your background with harpsichord making?

[@robertocanales1139]

this is absolutely marvelous. May i ask where did you get that kit?

[@takemyjobpleeez]

It's lovely. 😊

[@Serghey_83]

Супер! Молодец!)