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My Harpsichord complete

Project by GaryK posted 54 days ago 707 views 9 times favorited 72 comments Add to Favorites
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GaryK

6984 posts in 321 days


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music musical instrument harpsichord

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My Harpsichord complete My Harpsichord complete My Harpsichord complete Click the pictures to enlarge them

Well, this is my harpsichord all completed and installed in my living room.

If you are interested it’s construction you can check out my blog:
http://lumberjocks.com/jocks/GaryK/blog/2642

As I showed in my last blog on it, I turned it into a player harpsichord by adding a PianoDisc unit from a digital
player piano. This allows me to play MIDI files to it through a computer.

Here is a video of it playing. It’s a period Bach piece.


.
.

Here’s a medley of tunes that aren’t normally associated with the harpsichord
.
.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.


72 comments so far

View dennis mitchell's profile

dennis mitchell

2671 posts in 647 days


posted 54 days ago

....and let me guess. You built it out of a 2X4 you found in the road. Gary that is just AWSOME!!!!

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

View tenontim's profile

tenontim

449 posts in 77 days


posted 54 days ago

Very impressive, Gary! You ARE quite the glutton for punishment. Excellent job. When are you going to build the wooden type writer?

-- Tim -- http://tmuli.com

View zebrano's profile

zebrano

56 posts in 62 days


posted 54 days ago

Gary this is a gorgeous project! I saw the video and I`m very impressed.

View Bob #2's profile

Bob #2

1427 posts in 354 days


posted 54 days ago

Gary, a man of many talents.

That’s way over my head but I can’t help but be fascinated with the operation and your execution.
I wonder why nobody ever designed a piano like that with a double decker sound board?
You gonna start a band now?

Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

View mrtrim's profile

mrtrim

1372 posts in 213 days


posted 54 days ago

wow ! very nice gary ! i like the color as well . your just an amazing craftsman .

-- if you aint the lead dog the scenery never changes

View Russel's profile

Russel

868 posts in 272 days


posted 54 days ago

I gone through the blog of this a few times just to try and take it all in and it still boggles the mind to see it. The completed piece is fantastic. A definite example of craftsmanship.

-- If at first you don't succeed, try again. Then quit. No use being a darn fool about it.

View Thos. Angle's profile

Thos. Angle

3243 posts in 295 days


posted 54 days ago

I am shaking my head in wonder and awe. Amazing!!! What’s next???

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

View DAN's profile

DAN

2335 posts in 316 days


posted 54 days ago

Gary you are not only a master craftsman, but a true genuis !

Is the PianoDisc an item from a catalog or did you scrape something together ?

-- Hey ! I was born in IOWA .... don't blame me

View teenagewoodworker's profile

teenagewoodworker

1010 posts in 101 days


posted 54 days ago

wow this is one of the most amazing things i have ever seen. you should be very, very, very….. proud of yourself. if there is a “construct and instrument” contest in the future i think you’ve already won. FANTASTIC JOB!

-- if you haven't already check out my blog http://lumberjocks.com/jocks/teenagewoodworker/blog/3961

View brunob's profile

brunob

830 posts in 502 days


posted 54 days ago

Electronics AND woodworking. I’m impressed.

-- Bruce from Central New York

View TomFran's profile

TomFran

2304 posts in 327 days


posted 54 days ago

Amazing, Gary. Nice work and a great sounding instrument!

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

10926 posts in 493 days


posted 54 days ago

I just want to type ” !!!!!!”
words cannot possibly describe my reaction.
Awe-some and a beautiful sound.

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View Tim Pursell's profile

Tim Pursell

153 posts in 115 days


posted 54 days ago

Unbelievable. Impressive in so many ways. I think I like best that you did not give up…even after ten years.

-- http://www.grandprairiewoodworks.com

View Scott Bryan's profile

Scott Bryan

6413 posts in 155 days


posted 54 days ago

And I thought that you had been idle all this time. What I want to know is when did you have time to do this? After doing all the reviews/posts/projects that you have and playing with your bandsaw there simply isn’t enough time left over for a project like this. Have you managed to “engineer” a clone of yourself? :)

This is a wonderful project. And it is one I think that I (even though being “musically challenged” ) could learn to play. I am truly impressed. You are a man of many talents and abilities.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

View DAN's profile

DAN

2335 posts in 316 days


posted 54 days ago

2nd batch of tunes were great. how about some beatles ?

-- Hey ! I was born in IOWA .... don't blame me

View TotalChaos's profile

TotalChaos

2 posts in 55 days


posted 54 days ago

Kewlest MIDI instrument of all time!

View CharlieM1958's profile

CharlieM1958

3017 posts in 551 days


posted 54 days ago

I hope you stick around here for a long time. It will be a constant source of amazement to see you continually topping yourself!

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

View GaryK's profile (online now)

GaryK

6984 posts in 321 days


posted 54 days ago

Dan – Any suggestions for songs?

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

View Napaman's profile

Napaman

977 posts in 410 days


posted 54 days ago

now you need to create the LJ theme song…

Gary just amazing…and ditto dennis mitchell;s comment…cause that had me LMAO

-- Matt, Napa, CA: Lj's...I love logging on--I feel so young after being around teenagers all day!

View grovemadman's profile

grovemadman

508 posts in 104 days


posted 54 days ago

Very impressive Gary, but the question remains can you play it yourself or rather can it still be played manually?
this definitly goes into the favorites box! I’ll have to read the blog.
Thanks for posting this.

-- --Chuck

View GaryK's profile (online now)

GaryK

6984 posts in 321 days


posted 54 days ago

I can’t play it but it can be played as you normally would. The player unit doesn’t change a single thing.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

View gizmodyne's profile

gizmodyne

1307 posts in 423 days


posted 54 days ago

Amazing. Can the midi deal play different velocities?

-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne

View tomd's profile

tomd

74 posts in 103 days


posted 54 days ago

After all your great projects this one just blows my mind, it is fantastic. Great job, I think this earns that mastercraftman title. Congraulations !!

-- Tom D

View GaryK's profile (online now)

GaryK

6984 posts in 321 days


posted 54 days ago

Giz – Since the harpsichord plucks the string, different velocities won’t make a difference. In fact I turn down all the velocities to their lowest setting just to save it from beating itself up

The MIDI unit itself can play different velocities. It was made for a piano.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

View clieb91's profile

clieb91

253 posts in 268 days


posted 54 days ago

Gary, Just fanatastic. The sound is wonderful. I am sure that this final outcome has been well worth the wait.

CtL

-- Chris L. "Don't Dream it, Be it."

View grovemadman's profile

grovemadman

508 posts in 104 days


posted 54 days ago

Just read the blog Gary, man that’s a lot of work you put into this piece! Grand piano next???

-- --Chuck

View HallTree's profile

HallTree

525 posts in 100 days


posted 54 days ago

It’s been said before and I will say it again, Wow! Wow! Wow! AWSOME! Very impressive! Excellent job! Amazing craftsmanship! Fantastic job! Great sounding instrument! I should have that as background music as I read all of the post here.

-- Ron in Osseo, Minnesota

View jm82435's profile

jm82435

132 posts in 75 days


posted 54 days ago

You are out of control… As if building a harpsichord wasn’t accomplishment enough, no you have to make it a player too…
You keep it up and we are going to have to do an intervention…
Seriously that is AWESOME!!!

-- A thing of beauty is a joy forever... - Keats

View GaryK's profile (online now)

GaryK

6984 posts in 321 days


posted 54 days ago

Thanks for all your great comments.

grovemadman – No Grand Piano! I do have a half built violin though.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

View cajunpen's profile

cajunpen

5051 posts in 399 days


posted 54 days ago

Speechless!! And I was proud of my latest box – hate to show it now. You da Man Gary.

-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/

View ChicoWoodnut's profile

ChicoWoodnut

259 posts in 148 days


posted 54 days ago

Gary,

My vote is for a pipe organ next. You need one for your growing collection of Baroque period instruments.

Well done!

BTW, I think I saw the old genius Johann’s Ghost in one of those frames. He would be in good company.

-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net

View Andy's profile

Andy

12 posts in 81 days


posted 54 days ago

wow unbelibable that is an old art form in a new context. Whats next Mozart. again WOW

View Dorje's profile

Dorje

1555 posts in 329 days


posted 54 days ago

Dig the boogie-woogie harpsichord! You do some extraordinarily amazing work…I can’t imagine how that mind of yours works!

-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA

View GaryK's profile (online now)

GaryK

6984 posts in 321 days


posted 54 days ago

ChicoWoodnut

You know I would love to make a pipe organ but I just don’t have anyplace to put it.

I have actually thought about it though.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

View DocK16's profile

DocK16

368 posts in 420 days


posted 54 days ago

Gary,

GOODNESS, GRACIOUS, GREAT BALLS O’FIRE!

-- DocK, WV

View DocK16's profile

DocK16

368 posts in 420 days


posted 54 days ago

As Wayne and Garth would say:

“We’re not worthy, we’re not worthy.

Party on Wayne, Party on Gar…...K

-- DocK, WV

View DocK16's profile

DocK16

368 posts in 420 days


posted 54 days ago

Dorje
He’s GOT to be wired different than the rest of us.

-- DocK, WV

View DocK16's profile

DocK16

368 posts in 420 days


posted 54 days ago

Yeah …........still here…......still amazed. How could a “Texas Redneck” do THIS?

-- DocK, WV

View ChicoWoodnut's profile

ChicoWoodnut

259 posts in 148 days


posted 54 days ago

You might need to break out some wave equations for that one. (Although I hear it is 90% art and 10% science)

A small pipe organ is called a portative. Maybe you could scale it to fit within a two year timeframe LOL.

We have a large pipe organ at the university here. I love to go hear it when we have visiting organists.

-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net

View DAN's profile

DAN

2335 posts in 316 days


posted 54 days ago

Gary

Yesturday

Sgt. Peppers

Long and winding road

-- Hey ! I was born in IOWA .... don't blame me

View GaryK's profile (online now)

GaryK

6984 posts in 321 days


posted 54 days ago

ChicoWoodnut – You should realize by now that I couldn’t make anything as small as a portative organ.
It’s just too… small :-)

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

View GaryK's profile (online now)

GaryK

6984 posts in 321 days


posted 54 days ago

Dan – If you can find a piano only version of the MIDI files, I’ll do them.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

View Douglas Bordner's profile

Douglas Bordner

2105 posts in 396 days


posted 54 days ago

You’re the Leonardo DaVinci of Lumberjocks, Gary. And a genuine gentleman to boot.
You kneeling at the laptop, just off to the corner of the shot reminded me of Dorothy’s visit to the Great and Powerful Oz (pay no attention to the man behind the curtain…) WTG!

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

View GMoney's profile

GMoney

86 posts in 136 days


posted 54 days ago

gary,

that is something i would never have even thought of building. you already know it’s amazing and so do we. there’s nothing more to add, it’s just astonishing. i often recognize the sound of harpsichord in songs. it just kinda jumps out at you as beautiful and unique. thanks for the post and videos.

-- Greg, CT

View Grumpy's profile

Grumpy

2896 posts in 184 days


posted 54 days ago

Great job Gary, you never cease to amaze.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

View Tony's profile

Tony

440 posts in 363 days


posted 53 days ago

Speechless! Impressive craftsmanship – Amazing – Wow!!!!

Unfortunately the Video & sound links are not working on my PC –

-- Tony - All things are possible, just some things are more difficult than others! - SKYPE: Heron2005 (http://www.poydatjatuolit.fi)

View rikkor's profile

rikkor

5904 posts in 207 days


posted 53 days ago

Gary, will you build me a space shuttle (in your spare time)? Excellent work, man.

-- Maplewood, MN

View toyguy's profile

toyguy

363 posts in 170 days


posted 53 days ago

Gary, you are impressive in so many ways…..... This project just blows me away…..

-- Brian's Table Top Toys http://home.mountaincable.net/~bgraham/

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

10926 posts in 493 days


posted 53 days ago

still shaking my head in amazement!

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View Sawdust2's profile

Sawdust2

764 posts in 420 days


posted 53 days ago

As is fitting for the project:
It looks to me like this post has the most responses in the shortest amount of time of any on this list. At least as far back as I can recall.
What a deserving honor!

Lee

-- No piece is cut too short. It was meant for a smaller project.

View TotalChaos's profile

TotalChaos

2 posts in 55 days


posted 53 days ago

Gary built part of the Space Shuttle back in the 80’s.
But he cheated and used metal.

View YorkshireStewart's profile

YorkshireStewart

510 posts in 234 days


posted 53 days ago

Thanks, Gary, for posting the completed instrument. I’ve followed progress from the first posting. And as for the video/sound clips – altogether utterly amazing! 52 comments in 15 hours eh? Well deserved!

-- Res severa verum gaudium - True pleasure is a serious business.

View SPalm's profile

SPalm

571 posts in 215 days


posted 53 days ago

Cripes Gary, do you ever sleep? That is just Fantastic !!!
Good job, thanks for the inspiration.

You do need to build a CNC, maybe that will slow you down.

-- Stevethepeeve -- I'm no rocket surgeon

View JonJ's profile

JonJ

52 posts in 173 days


posted 53 days ago

THAT IS AWESOME!!! I had called the mill and ordered some poplar for my next bowed keyboard experiment, and now I’m kind of wondering…why? Ah well, I guess I’ll go ahead and start it, but compared to your project mine will be like say, a moped up against a monster truck…

Again, that is an awesome job! You give the rest of us something to aspire to.

-- Jon

View GaryK's profile (online now)

GaryK

6984 posts in 321 days


posted 53 days ago

JonJ – That bowed keyboard is fantastic! Looking forward to your blog on your latest one.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

View Douglas Bordner's profile

Douglas Bordner

2105 posts in 396 days


posted 53 days ago

I have to admit that I had to rate this page to Stumble Upon. Hope you don’t mind that I invited some net neighbors over to get a look at your harpsichord.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

View Dick Cain's profile

Dick Cain

4158 posts in 632 days


posted 53 days ago

Beautiful craftsmanship Gary!

I nominate you as ”King of the Lumberjocks!”

-- Dick Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

View alanealane's profile

alanealane

68 posts in 223 days


posted 53 days ago

You’re probably sick of sitting around reading all these comments of praise and admiration…

....well I think it stinks!!!...........................................
...................................................................NOT!!!

YOU’LL JUST HAVE TO SUFFER THROUGH ANOTHER COMMENT ON HOW AWESOME THAT IS!!
YOU HAD THAT THING ROCKIN’ !!

Keep it up, Gary.
—Alex

-- Lane Custom Guitars and Basses

View Dadoo's profile

Dadoo

1356 posts in 323 days


posted 53 days ago

Stand up and take a bow Gary! You really deserve the applause!

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

10926 posts in 493 days


posted 53 days ago

my daughter (the music teacher) is totally amazed – loving it – and of course wants one!

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View Zuki's profile

Zuki

561 posts in 410 days


posted 53 days ago

Gary . . . when do you get time to sleep?????

-- The significant problems we face cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them

View GaryK's profile (online now)

GaryK

6984 posts in 321 days


posted 53 days ago

Sleep? What’s that?

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

View cobbler's profile

cobbler

22 posts in 123 days


posted 52 days ago

Really nice. i`m envious how you turn out so many quality
pieces at such a rapid pace.
Skills!!
Did I read that you had a machining background?
You are truly a talented individual.

-- ''Carry on my wayward son''

View Dooley's profile

Dooley

34 posts in 55 days


posted 51 days ago

Very Impressive! I’ve repaired them before, and actually have been involved in building many pipe organs. If you do decide to build say a small portatif, let me know.

-- Dooley, North Palm Beach, Florida www.myspace.com/smokey4bandit20

View Sparky977's profile

Sparky977

19 posts in 53 days


posted 51 days ago

Gary, I am in stunned amazement. I just read through all the blog entries on this, and I’m just floored at the amount of work that you put into this. You must have an unnatural amount of patience. I am glad you were able to get it completed. That has to be an amazing feeling to hear music coming out of something you built.

-- I get payed to play with power tools! What could be better than that?

View kenn's profile

kenn

55 posts in 53 days


posted 50 days ago

Beautiful, amazing, astounding… where is my thesaurus? WOW!

-- Every cloud has a silver lining

View SteveL's profile

SteveL

33 posts in 101 days


posted 48 days ago

Fantastic. I also own a harpsichord which I bought from someone who had put it together as a kit. I find it a real challenge just to get it in tune, and it is a single manual (one keyboard not two like yours)! Even if you can’t play it, I’m impressed that you not only built it, but also got it in tune. Just went to a concert last week to hear a someone play Bach’s “The Art of the Fugue” and I’m still convinced that his page turner was helping—can’t see how that can be done with only ten fingers. Good luck with your music lessons—you’re going to want to learn how to play this now!

-- SteveL

View ATWilliams's profile

ATWilliams

83 posts in 68 days


posted 45 days ago

Gary, I did not read every comment above,,, But I can absolutly concur with all of them,,, this one of the most amazing projects I have ever seen built in all my 25 years of woodworking…

-- A. T. Williams Creation's

View GaryK's profile (online now)

GaryK

6984 posts in 321 days


posted 45 days ago

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for your great comments. I’m just relieved I finally
got it done. Now I can enjoy it!

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

View RonPage's profile

RonPage

52 posts in 32 days


posted 8 days ago

Gary,

The player harpsichord is abslotely phenominal!

I’ve been a big fan of the harpsichord all the way back to my rock & roll days.

I can remember when my car was broken into and my eight track player and all my tapes were stolen (somewhere around 1967). Among all the Stones, Steppenfolf tapes, etc, I had Rafael Puyana’s Baroque Masterpieces for the Harpsichord. I know damn well that tape went flying out the window of the thief’s car.

What a wonderful gift it is to be able to mix two loves with such an incredible talent.

My hat is off to you, Sir.

-- Ron, Bakersfield, CA. Measure twice, cut twice anyway.

View Karson's profile

Karson

11029 posts in 733 days


posted 8 days ago

Gary: You are an amazineg woodworker and a man of many talents. I stand in awe of what you are able to product.

But it goes to show, “If you can visualize and take your time, You can create it.” Great Job.

-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com

View Mark DeCou's profile

Mark DeCou

1217 posts in 738 days


posted 8 days ago

you are an amazingly talented guy. Well earned.

-- Mark DeCou - Kansas Flinthill's Artisan

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