Chapter 2 - The Keyframe
What is a Keyframe?
The keyframe is like a couch for the keyboard in that the keyboard sits on it and is guided by its pins. It consists of two rails and two stiles. The rails have pins embedded in them which fit into holes drilled into the keys and allow the keys to pivot. Each harpsichord key has its own balance rail and rear rail pins on the keyframe. The balance rail pins have cloth and paper punchings (in this illustration they are red) that control the height of the keys at their front ends. The back rail is felted to quiet the sound of the keys dropping down to their rest position on the rail. When a key is inserted onto its keyframe pins, the two pins allow the key to pivot up and down while keeping it from moving left to right.
