Harpsichord: degrees, diplomas and programs

The harpsichord produces sound by plucking strings, which gives it a different touch, articulation and sense of phrasing from the piano. Formal study is usually found in early music or historical performance departments rather than in general piano departments, and students typically work on repertoire from the Renaissance, Baroque and sometimes the twentieth century onward, much of it written for plucked-string keyboards.

A large part of the training is ensemble work. Harpsichordists spend much of their professional time playing basso continuo, realising a bass line with harmonies in the manner of the period, so programs commonly teach figured bass, partimenti, improvisation and ornamentation. Students also learn about historical tunings and temperaments, and in many programs about related instruments such as the fortepiano, clavichord and chamber organ.

Degree contexts include the Bachelor of Music, the Master of Music or equivalent, and practice doctorates such as the Doctor of Musical Arts. Because instruments are specialised and costly, availability varies; some schools hold several harpsichords of different national styles, while others offer the instrument only as an option within a broader early music program. Applicants often come with a piano or organ background.

Auditions for harpsichord frequently take place on a school-provided instrument, as applicants rarely travel with their own. Panels often listen for rhythmic control, clarity of voice leading and stylistic awareness. Some programs accept applicants whose main background is piano or organ, and may be less strict about prior harpsichord experience at the undergraduate level than at graduate level.

Continuo or figured-bass tasks, sight-reading and short improvisations may be part of the audition, along with theory and aural tests. Some programs invite a prescreening recording first.

Each program publishes its own repertoire and format, and these can change annually, so applicants should read the current-year information for each school and ask which instruments will be available. No outcome is guaranteed.

Funding specifically for harpsichordists is limited because cohorts are small, but some programs offer scholarships within early music, or opportunities to accompany a baroque orchestra, choir or opera production. In some settings graduate students assist in early music ensembles.

Availability depends on the institution and year. Ask each department directly what is offered.