Clavichord Workshop
Joel Speerstra, in charge of clavichord research and builder of Eastman's pedal clavichord, led the workshop in clavichord building. He shared with us the methods used to design proportionally using the golden section and gave us a glimpse of some of the clavichords currently being built and restored in the GOArt workshop. For keyboardists in the 18th century, the clavichord had a prominent role as a performance and practice instrument. The clavichord was the favorite keyboard instrument of Carl Phillip Emanuel Bach, who prized it for its sensitive touch and expressive capacity. At Eastman, the clavichord has an important role as a teacher of technique, a job which it does simply by being played.
Joel Speerstra with the simple wooden compass used to design and properly proportion the dimenstions of a clavichord.
Masters student Nicole Marane trying her hand (and foot) at winding one of the brass wires used to string a clavichord.
One of the beautiful, walnut cased clavichords currently being built by Joel.
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Modified by M.W.