Page "Harpsichord" Paragraph 40

Ottavini are small spinets or virginals at four foot pitch.

Harpsichords at octave pitch were more common in the early Renaissance, but lessened in popularity later on.

However, the ottavino remained very popular as a domestic instrument in Italy until the 19th century.

The English diarist Samuel Pepys makes mention of his " tryangle " several times.

This was not the percussion instrument that we call triangle today ; rather, it was a name for octave-pitched spinets, which were triangular in shape.

In the Low Countries, an ottavino was commonly paired with an 8 ' virginals, encased in a small cubby under the soundboard of the larger instrument.

The ottavino could be removed and placed on top of the virginal, making in effect a double manual instrument.

These are sometimes called ' mother-and-child ' or ' double ' virginals.