Virginal
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The virginal was an instrument used in the 15th, 16th and early 17th centuries, and is actually a small harpsichord, consisting of either one or two sets of keys, each with a 4-octave range. The virginal’s simple, rectangular-shaped case was designed to be placed on a table. The virginal was in common use during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, before it was superseded by the spinet and full harpsichord. Often referred to as a pair of virginals, it produces sound in the fashion of a harpsichord by plucking the strings. The virginal has only one set of strings that run at about 90 degrees to the keys, and are always arranged with the long bass string at the front of the instrument. Their size and shape made them very popular as instruments for the home [15].
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