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I service and tune harpsichords and other keyboard instruments. It is also my privilige to be the rental agent for a harpsichord built by my friend Ben Bechtel, who passed away in July 2008. He was a generous mentor and I admired and respected his ability to make himself and others happy through music. He began as a concert pianist, and later became interested in early music, both as a performer and as a master builder of viols, horns, and harpsichords. Although I only knew him for a short time, it was clear that his achievements as performer, teacher, and builder came from a persistent positive outlook, his love of music, and his devotion to sharing music with others. He shared the music he loved beautifully through his performing and through his wonderful instruments.
| The harpsichord I work with, seen here with Ben, is a double manual French design with two 8' stops and a 4' stop, with buff stops for each 8'. It follows the design features of instruments by the great French builders Blanchet and Taskin during the mid 18th century. It is enhanced by a number of modern features which improve its maintainability. |  |
Links related to Harpsichords and Early Music ...
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| "Harpsichordist to the Internet" | Web page of a harpsichord enthusiast, with links, including a brief history of harpsichords. ... |
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| A graphical
overview and explanation
of musical temperaments. ... |