Music of the Baroque Period: Keyboard  Music

These two videos are a two-part demonstration outlining the development of the Clavichord, Harpsichord, Fortepiano, through to today's modern grand piano.

Another keyboard instrument that was used in the Baroque period was the pipe organ. These instruments, generally used in churches, are individually built for each building, and have at least 3 manuals - the pedalboard (played with the feet) and two keyboards that hands can alternate between for effects and dynamic changes. 'Stops' are the buttons on either side of the organ that allow the player to select an instrument sound or combination of sounds. Pipe organs are made out of hundreds (or more) pipes - each pipe represents one note of one instrument. 

Here's an example of a passacaglia by JS Bach as played on a Baroque pipe organ.