Learning the Harpsichord

[momoji]

I recently am able to rent a harpsichor. The touch is very different. Do i need a teacher. I can play ATCL pieces already. I love Bach and Scarlatti

[iansinclair]

It's not just the touch.  The normal fingerings are, or can be, quite different, as are the techniques used to bring out (when necessary) certain contrapuntal lines relative to others.  If you can find a good teacher, do.

[momoji]

There are no harpsichord teachers in my country. Theres only 1 harpsichord in my country

[pianolive]

Great to hear you will learn the harpsichord!

Here is something

https://www.harpsichord.org.uk/EH/Vol1/No5/elementary.pdf

You could also put your question on the "Teaching" part of this board.

[justharmony]

I think it's great when anyone wants to explore the harpsichord!  It's a wonderful instrument when it comes to baroque and early music.  I, too, would strongly recommend a teacher, but it sounds like that's not an option.  Lacking that, I'd listen to a LOT of good recordings if you can (let me know if you'd like a few suggestions), and often the introductions to good music editions will have instructions on how to play ornaments and things.  The biggest thing you'll lack, though, is a unifying understanding of the overall "language" - which is important as it's entirely different than piano-playing. Touch can be tricky, too, as well as tuning, which is CRITICAL.  Do you have a good tuning machine?  Do you have a good ear?  Can you hear beats when you play an interval, or a unison that's out of tune?  Do you have access to anyone who can help you learn how to tune this instrument?  THis is probably the trickiest thing to do on your own (I'm not exactly sure it can be done entirely on your own... but it's worth a shot.  I could offer a little guidance if you want to try...)

Tuning is actually one of the most rewarding things, I think, about listening to, and playing the harpsichord, and essential to the beauty of the music, in my opinion.

Well.  Don't know if any of that helps, but excited you're giving it a try!

JH

[momoji]

There's a tuner who tune it every week and maintain its good sound.

[justharmony]

Don't know where you are or the type of instrument, but I'm guessing that you'll find that once a week is not enough if you're playing a lot.  But it's good to know you have someone.  What temperament are you having it tuned in?
JH

[momoji]

I think is equal.

[justharmony]

Ask your tuner if he/she can do an unequal temperament for you.  For Bach and Scarlatti I'd recommend Werkmeister or Kirnberger.  If you really want to give your ears a shock to start your "hearing" process, ask for meantone.  That is really not appropriate for Bach, but you'll be able to definitely hear the difference much easier - both the beautiful keys and the definitely NOT so beautiful ones..  You can play some earlier stuff in it if you have access to some earlier things - do you?  Are you interested? 

There are some who think they have "decoded" a particular temperament that Bach himself specified, but I doubt that your tuner would be familiar with it. But who knows?  That might be fun to try.  See what you notice - both consciously and just your body's reaction to the sound.  I will be curious what you discover.

Happy playing!

JH