Clavinet

A clavinet is a keyboard instrument that generates sound electro-mechanically through a plucking action rather than by striking strings as in a piano. Pressing a key activates a mechanism that plucks a string or tine inside a wooden cabinet, and the resulting vibration is picked up by magnetic pickups and amplified. The instrument is typically played with a bright, percussive attack and a timbre that can resemble a guitar or a piano, depending on the model and how it is filtered or effects are applied. It is common for players to use a wah-wah pedal to shape its distinctive tone.

Design and history: The clavinet was developed in the 1960s, with Hohner producing several early models. The most well-known variants are the Clavinet D6 and the Clavinet E7, which became staples in studio and live settings. Although it resembles a small stage piano, the clavinet relies on a keyboard-triggered plucking action and magnetic pickups to create its sound, giving it a characteristic bright and percussive presence.

Usage and influence: The clavinet gained prominence in funk, pop, and rock from the 1970s onward, valued for its punchy rhythmic riffs and expressive potential. It is closely associated with artists such as Stevie Wonder, whose tracks like “Superstition” and “Higher Ground” feature its distinctive timbre, as well as other players who incorporated its guitar-like attack into grooves and solos. In studios, the clavinet is often augmented with effects such as wah or overdrive to enhance its function within a mix.