Page "Electronic musical instrument" Paragraph 7

In the 18th-century, musicians and composers adapted a number of acoustic instruments to exploit the novelty of electricity.

Thus, in the broadest sense, the first electrified musical instrument was the Denis d ' or, dating from 1753, followed shortly by the Clavecin électrique by the Frenchman Jean-Baptiste de Laborde in 1761.

The former instrument consisted of a keyboard instrument of over 700 strings, electrified temporarily to enhance sonic qualities.

The latter was a keyboard instrument with plectra ( picks ) activated electrically.

However, neither instrument used electricity as a sound-source.