Daniel Faber

Biography

Daniel Faber, of Germany, is credited with a key structural advance in the clavichord. Earlier clavichords typically had more keys than strings, with two or even three keys sharing a single string via separate tangents, requiring the player to carefully manipulate the key so each tangent struck the string at the correct point — a difficult technique that limited the complexity of music that could be played. In 1725, Faber built a clavichord with a separate string and key for every note, eliminating this limitation. To prevent unwanted vibration of the unused portion of each string when struck by the tangent, a narrow strip of cloth was interlaced among the strings.

Highlights

• In 1725, built the first clavichord with a separate string and key for each note.

Source

Alfred Dolge, Pianos and Their Makers, Vol. I (1911).

Public domain.