Latest Harpsichord Project

[Ernie Miller]

Hi all,

I've been here for a few months and I've enjoyed looking at some of the beautiful pieces being built by Saw Mill Creekers. Thought it was time to jump in and post a project myself. This is a single manual Flemish Harpsichord app. 79" x 34".

Thanks for looking.
Ernie

[Jim Becker]

Now that's a kewel project! nice....

[Ted Calver]

Absolutely beautiful! I think I'm looking at a whole lot of work here. How long did it take?

[Ernie Miller]

Thank you Jim - kewel is nice.



Absolutely beautiful! I think I'm looking at a whole lot of work here. How long did it take?

And thank you too, Ted. It took just about six months - but who's counting. Time flies when you're having fun.

Ernie

[Bob Warfield]

Kewl project and that looks like a pretty nice shop too!
Thanks...Bob

[Will Boulware]

Do you play them or just build them? I want to hear how it sounds!! Clips please? Lol. :D

Gorgeous piece, btw. You keeping it or is it destined for someone else's parlor?

[Dave Anderson NH]

Georgeous Ernie. I've always wanted to make some type of instrument whether it be a guitar or anything else but it always struck me as a foolish thing since I have all of the musical talent of a block of granite. I imagine George Wilson will chime in sometime soon since he's made several harpsichords.

[Ernie Miller]

Do you play them or just build them? I want to hear how it sounds!! Clips please? Lol. :D

Gorgeous piece, btw. You keeping it or is it destined for someone else's parlor?

Will,

I play them, but quite poorly. My wife is a far, far better player than I am. This instrument will be sold (eventually). The first photo below is our personal instrument and lives in our living room. The second photo is an instrument I built last year. Here's a link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNO0hM4zL7c) to a slide show briefly summarizing its construction. The music you hear on the slide show was recorded on this instrument by Dr. John O'brien, professor of Music, East Carolina University.

Dave: Thanks for your kind comments. Remember, you don't have to play them to build them.;)

Ernie

[John Keeton]

Absolutely one of the finest projects I have seen posted!!! The YouTube link is phenomenal! My hat is off to you - a true artisan. Well done, Ernie!

[Jason Strauss]

That's pretty sweet! Curiosity is killing this cat! So, a few questions...

Did you string and tune the harpsichord yourself?
There have to be "classic" dimension for a piece like that. Did you get plans somewhere or did you "de-construct" one?
Is this your occupation?

[Ernie Miller]

That's pretty sweet! Curiosity is killing this cat! So, a few questions...

Did you string and tune the harpsichord yourself?
There have to be "classic" dimension for a piece like that. Did you get plans somewhere or did you "de-construct" one?
Is this your occupation?

Jason: Perhaps a little background is in order. I taught choral music and music theory for 34 years. As a teenager I became interested in piano technology and, in the early 1980's, passed my exams and became a Registered Piano Technician in the Piano Technicians Guild. This led to many years of piano tuning and the restoration of grand pianos. At the same time, I 'discovered' harpsichords and built my first instrument in 1985. I was fortunate to live in the same town (in New York) as Paul Kennedy, a very accomplished harpsichord builder. He became my mentor and taught me the craft. I "retired" from teaching in 2000 and, in 2004, moved to North Carolina where I spend my retirement working 10 hours a day in my shop - building harpsichords.

So the short answer is yes, I string and tune my own instruments. The plans for the instruments pictured are loosely based on the work of the Ruckers family. Commercial plans are available, but I draw my own plans based on the Ruckers methods of construction.

John: I'm glad you enjoyed my little slide show. I greatly appreciate your kind remarks.

Ernie

[Jason Strauss]

Thanks, Ernie. From my musical training I know that being a piano technitian is a trade/craft that takes years of experience and fine tuning of the ear to be any good at. Very similar to actually mastering the instrument itself. The fact that you not only tune these puppies, but build them to such a high degree of quality, is quite an accomplishment. And, it sounds like your really enjoy it, too.

Alas, if I could only build a playable trumpet out of wood...

Thanks for sharing!

[Ernie Miller]

Thanks, Ernie. From my musical training I know that being a piano technitian is a trade/craft that takes years of experience and fine tuning of the ear to be any good at. Very similar to actually mastering the instrument itself. The fact that you not only tune these puppies, but build them to such a high degree of quality, is quite an accomplishment. And, it sounds like your really enjoy it, too.

Alas, if I could only build a playable trumpet out of wood...

Thanks for sharing!

Maybe you can build one - check out this website (http://abel.hive.no/trumpet/lur/wood/) and the soundfile at the bottom of the page.

Ernie

[Dave Anderson NH]

I understand your point partially Ernie, but the question to me would be how does a non-player of any instrument know if what he has built sounds good or is an abomination? I suppose you could rely on someone who does play, but that is inconvenient and you might find out too late in the construction process. My luthier friends contend that to have a really good sound a stringed instrument needs to be constructed so lightly that it is on the verge of self-destruction.

[Ernie Miller]

I understand your point partially Ernie, but the question to me would be how does a non-player of any instrument know if what he has built sounds good or is an abomination? I suppose you could rely on someone who does play, but that is inconvenient and you might find out too late in the construction process. My luthier friends contend that to have a really good sound a stringed instrument needs to be constructed so lightly that it is on the verge of self-destruction.

You make a valid point - it is more difficult for the non-player, but far from impossible. Very seldom, if ever, is somebody's first instrument a fine instrument. I thought my first harpsichord was terrific when I built it. It wasn't. Experience is the answer here. You have to listen to a lot of instruments - talk to a lot of fine players and have them play your instrument. Listen to their comments - they are almost always constructive and almost never derogatory. Yes, it's inconvenient. On the other hand, even fine players are often ignorant when it comes to the working (and care) of their instrument. I don't believe that players have a better chance of building a fine instrument than non-players. They have to go through the same learning curve. Their only advantage is that they can play the instrument at a higher level. They may know if they like the instrument or hate the instrument by playing it, but chances are they won't know why.

I guess it depends on your goals. If your goal is to build a professional quality instrument, there are few shortcuts. Inconvenience, self-doubt, frustration, research, experimentation, stubbornness, and drive are all part of the learning process. Conversely, if you just want to make a single instrument for your own enjoyment, life is much easier. When I was working on pianos, I noticed that several of my clients refinished their own pianos. Almost all of these were big old uprights. They were quite pleased with the results of their labor. If, however, they had paid a professional a fortune to refinish their instrument and ended up with the same results they would be furious.

Of course, they best thing you can do is get a mentor, like I did. They will save you years in the learning process. For example, your luthier friends suggested that a fine instrument must be lightly constructed. My first question to them would be "why?"

Ernie

[John Thompson]

Beyond Outstanding... I absolutely love the jade color you used on the finish trimmed in gold. I'm embarrassed to post my work after seeing this piece. :)

[Jamie Buxton]

Ernie, I'm curious about the soundboard. On the video, it just appears. But I'm guessing there's a good amount of art there. On other instruments like guitars and violins, the soundboard is thin, and it is carefully shaped. On a soundboard as big as a harpsichord, the construction must be tricky. And I'm not sure how the soundboard would be fastened in to the case. I'm seeing big strong ribs across the bottom of the case, but they're cross-grain to the soundboard, so it doesn't seem you can firmly fasten to them.

[Ernie Miller]

Ernie, I'm curious about the soundboard. On the video, it just appears. But I'm guessing there's a good amount of art there. On other instruments like guitars and violins, the soundboard is thin, and it is carefully shaped. On a soundboard as big as a harpsichord, the construction must be tricky. And I'm not sure how the soundboard would be fastened in to the case. I'm seeing big strong ribs across the bottom of the case, but they're cross-grain to the soundboard, so it doesn't seem you can firmly fasten to them.

Jamie,

The soundboard is 1/8" thick (and is planed to even less than that in certain areas) and consists of edge-glued pieces of Sitka Spruce about 5" wide. On the underside of the soundboard there are two cut-off bars (one of which is the 4' hitchpin rail) and, in the instrument shown in the video, three ribs. They certainly aren't big and strong. The ribs are only 7/16" high and the two cut-off bars are 3/4". Soundboard liners are glued into the case around the perimeter of the instrument. The soundboard is glued onto these liners. The front of the soundboard is glued to another assembly called the Upper Belly Rail.

I don't know if this explanation is helpful. It's a little hard to explain without photos. Last year I wrote a series of articles for another forum documenting (in non-technical) terms the construction of this instrument. If you'd like a clearer answer to your question here's a link (http://www.ncwoodworker.net/forums/f101/harpsichord-project-part-20a-installing-soundboard-20325/?highlight=harpsichord+project) to the relevant article. I'm more than happy to answer any other questions you might have.

Ernie

[Jamie Buxton]

I looked at the link. That is a fair amount of magic.

But it sets me off with another question...

* You fasten your rails and ribs on with a modern glue. The original makers only had protein glues available. Those have a limited life, and aren't as strong as modern glues. So what did the old-timers do? Did they use mechanical fastening that you've been able to avoid? Or did they just plan on rebuilding the instrument every couple of decades?

[Bret Duffin]

Ernie,

I'm humbled. To say "It's a beautiful piece" is an understatement.

I might be able to build the carcase or the cabinet (not sure what you would call it) but I wouldn't know where to begin with the musical instrument parts.

It's talent like yours that challenges the rest of us.

Thanks, Bret

[Ernie Miller]

I looked at the link. That is a fair amount of magic.

But it sets me off with another question...

* You fasten your rails and ribs on with a modern glue. The original makers only had protein glues available. Those have a limited life, and aren't as strong as modern glues. So what did the old-timers do? Did they use mechanical fastening that you've been able to avoid? Or did they just plan on rebuilding the instrument every couple of decades?

They used hide glue which is more than strong enough and quite long lasting. I'd use it myself except that I work alone and I couldn't get the soundboard glued in in the brief amount of working time I would have with hide glue. There are many 300 - 400 year old harpsichords still intact that were put together with hide glue. In some cases, nails (trenails) were used in addition to glue just as screws are sometimes used as clamps in modern instruments.

Ernie

[Ernie Miller]

Ernie,

I'm humbled. To say "It's a beautiful piece" is an understatement.

I might be able to build the carcase or the cabinet (not sure what you would call it) but I wouldn't know where to begin with the musical instrument parts.

It's talent like yours that challenges the rest of us.

Thanks, Bret

Brett,

You've got to be kidding! I just saw your Bombay chest (sorry I missed it when you posted it). If I even dreamed of building this chest I should apologize. I guarantee you if our roles were reversed you'd be finished building the harpsichord case and I'd be scratching my head wondering how to even begin the Bombay chest.

Granted the instrument requires a certain technical knowledge, but that's not woodworking. Comparing apples to apples, the Bombay chest is much more difficult and requires far greater skills - skills I wish I had. My hat's off to you for this beautiful, elegant piece.

Ernie

[allen levine]

its a brilliant piece of work. Unique as any Ive ever seen.
I did get a chuckle when you said you retired so you can work 10 hour days in the shop. thats kinda funny.
thankyou for posting something so beautiful

[John Timberlake]

Wow! When I first read the post, I thought that was a great case for a harpsicord. Then I realized you made the works as well. Really great job. Would love to see one in person and hear it played.

[Van Huskey]

Very nice work! I am a harpsichord fan (look and listen, no play!),

[Jeremy Hansen]

What a beautiful project! What temperament do you tune with?

[Ernie Miller]

What a beautiful project! What temperament do you tune with?

Thank you, Jeremy. As for temperaments, I always tune in equal temperament. I have nothing whatsoever against any of the unequal temperaments but after spending over 40 years as a piano technician tuning equal temperament exclusively, my ears just cannot accept the sound of any unequal temperament. They all just sound 'out of tune' to my ear (I am an aural tuner). This is a shortcoming that is really too bad, but I can't do anything about it so I've learned to accept it.

Ernie

[Thomas love]

Nice work Earnie, how are you photographing this work, It looks surreal.
tom.

[Ernie Miller]

Nice work Earnie, how are you photographing this work, It looks surreal.
tom.

Thanks for the kind words. As for the pictures, I know very little about cameras. I just take a lot of shots and hope to get a few decent ones. The first four pix are untouched. The fifth pix is the same picture as #2. I removed the background and added a gradient fill using Photoshop Elements.

Ernie

[george wilson]

Magnificent instruments,Ernie!! Now that I know where you have been posting your work!

I think that anyone who builds harpsichords is a glutton for punishment(I know,personally!)

[Gordon Eyre]

Ernie, this is amazing. Building cabinets is one thing but a Harpsichord is a whole other animal. Way to go.

[Ernie Miller]

Magnificent instruments,Ernie!! Now that I know where you have been posting your work!

I think that anyone who builds harpsichords is a glutton for punishment(I know,personally!)

Thank you, George. I think you already know how much a kind word from you means to me. It's been twenty five years and I'm still not tired of the punishment. I hope to have the time to build a few more before I'm done.

Ernie