A Guide to the Harpsichord [Paperback]

Ann Bond (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2003

This practical guide treats the mechanics and evolution of the instrument and offers a survey of its literature. The author discusses touch and technique, including articulation and fingering, and the issues involved in historical performance practices. She also provides suggestions on selecting and maintaining a harpsichord.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A most comprehensive guide to the harpsichord- a must for all harpsichord students! -- Virginia Black, Professor of Harpsichord, Royal Academy of Music, London 1999

She has done very well at the difficult job of presenting an entire field in a well-balanced, comprehensive fashion. -- Scott Patterson, Classical Music Magazine

Students will find simply to own this handsome volume will foster a sense of pride in their potential ability. -- Nicholas Williams, The Musical Times, Winter 1998

Throughout the book there is a clarity of expression and of presentation that is most helpful. --The Organ

About the Author

Ann Bond was a pupil of Thurston Dart at Cambridge University and went on to study with Robert Woolley and David Roblou. She has performed with many notable early music specialists and recorded with the Consort of Twelve. Formerly Lecturer in music and University Organist at Manchester University, she now lives in Lancashire.

Product Details

• Paperback: 267 pages
• Publisher: Amadeus Press; New edition edition (March 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574670638
• ISBN-13: 978-1574670639
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,090,978 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent & Comprehensive Introduction to the Harpsichord, September 26, 2002

By 

"zimri-lim" (London, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Guide to the Harpsichord (Paperback)

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.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not really a guide, May 28, 2002

By 

Jon C. Domke "jdomke1" (Mountain House, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Guide to the Harpsichord (Paperback)

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.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An invaluable reference manual/history for harpsichordists, August 12, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Guide to the Harpsichord (Hardcover)

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.