asharpsichord

An asharpsichord is a hypothetical musical instrument that combines elements of the harpsichord and the piano. The name itself is a portmanteau of "ash" and "harpsichord," though the origins of the term are unclear. It is not a recognized or commercially produced instrument in the historical or contemporary music world.

The concept of an asharpsichord typically envisions a keyboard instrument that produces sound through plucking strings, similar to a harpsichord, but with the added ability to vary the volume of individual notes, a characteristic feature of the piano. This would theoretically be achieved through a mechanism that could adjust the force with which the strings are plucked.

While the technical challenges of such a mechanism are significant, the idea has been explored in theoretical discussions and occasional fictional contexts. Composers and instrument makers have long sought ways to bridge the sonic gap between the percussive nature of the piano and the brighter, more brilliant tone of the harpsichord. However, no standard design for an asharpsichord has ever been established or widely adopted. The instrument remains largely a conceptual curiosity.