Virginale

Virginal is a keyboard instrument belonging to the harpsichord family. It is a plucked string instrument, meaning that the strings are vibrated by a plectrum made of quill or leather, rather than being struck by hammers as in a piano. The virginal is typically rectangular in shape, often with a decorative lid. Its name is thought to derive from its perceived suitability for young ladies to play, or possibly from the virgin-like purity of its sound.

Unlike a harpsichord, the strings of a virginal are stretched parallel to the keyboard, and the plucking mechanism is positioned to one side of the string. This design results in a softer, more delicate tone than a larger harpsichord. Virginals were popular in England and Europe during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Composers like William Byrd and John Bull wrote extensively for the instrument. Its portability and relatively modest size made it a common instrument in domestic settings. While less common today, it is sometimes used in historical music performances and early music ensembles.