Page "Harpsichord" Paragraph 11

* The vertical motion of the jack is then stopped by the jackrail, which is covered with soft felt to muffle the impact. Figure 3.

When the key is pressed, the jack is raised, and the plectrum touches the string and begins to bend.

Then the plectrum plucks the string and causes it to sound.

The jack hits the jack rail.

When the player releases the key, the jack falls back down under its own weight, and the plectrum pivots backwards to allow it to pass the string.