Wikipedia:Peer review/Harpsichord/archive1

Harpsichord

A quite comprehensive and extremely well-illustrated article. Besides copyediting, an expanded lead, a layout revision, some general scrutiny of the factual content (of which I am not terrible knowledgeable) and a proper reference section, I feel there isn't much from keeping this from being a very suitable FAC. Other suggestions for expanding or revising the article are more than welcome. / Peter ^Isotalo 14:41, 10 August 2005 (UTC)

The illustrations are not that good-looking. Maybe I would redraw them later. Overall, it's great! :-D -- Jerry Crimson Mann 14:47, 10 August 2005 (UTC)

Resize some of the images and make them a little bit smaller. The text is great, however. — Stevey7788 (talk) 23:17, 10 August 2005 (UTC)

It's certainly a pretty good article as it stands, but I think there's a lot missing before FAC. Time presses just now so really I won't be able to contribute much, but here are some ideas off the top of my head - bit of a brain dump I'm afraid. Introductory paragraph needs expansion; ultimately this should be a potted version of the article once it's stable. I think the main article starts too technical and detailed; history first, then music (perhaps even music first - after all that's what it's for!) - and the music section should be more detailed, perhaps in sections, to allow the removal of the rather perfunctory "see also" list of baroque harpsichord composers; although not reams because it's an article about the harpsichord, not harpsichord music. - And isn't Byrd a renaissance composer? Mention of different temperaments for different music (equal temperament was not in use in the harpsichord's heyday). An explanation would be nice of how the different registrations give different sound qualities (string plucked at different distance from nut, also a damped stop on some harpsichords) and how they can be combined (for example my 2-manual harpsichord has three sets of strings: front and back 8', each operated by one of the keyboards, and one 4'; a keyboard coupling mechanism to allow combination of all three stops or the 4' with either 8'; the 4' and back 8' can be disengaged). Mention transposing harpsichords - nowadays used to allow performance at modern pitch A=440 and baroque pitch A=415 on one instrument with no retune required (except to reset the temperament). Describe how a harpsichord is tuned. Impression is given in the "how it works" diagram that there is more than one jack per string. Perhaps a bit of information about stringing of the harpsichord would be nice: different thicknesses of string and different string materials. How about a section on harpsichord builders ancient and modern? Mention that Landowska's Pleyel instrument (and many others of the time) had a (non-authentic) pedal mechanism to allow crescendo/diminuendo effects. I suggest a good introductory reference for anyone looking to expand this article would be the book by Ann Bond, ISBN 1574670638, although there are plenty of good books out there. Sorry I won't have time to be of more practical help. --RobertG ♬ talk 12:26, 12 August 2005 (UTC)