The clavichord (or Clavinet)
is a stringed instrument operated by a keyboard, and enclosed in a
rectangular box. Clavinet seems to be an alternative name for the clavichord, but in modern times it is applied to a brand of electronic keyboard.
This is an old European instrument dating from the 1500s, and it was eclipsed by
the invention of the piano in around 1770. It has a very soft tone, easily
drowned out by other instruments. But it allowed the performer to achieve louder
or softer sounds by striking the keys with varying degree of force. Playing a
key causes a brass blade called a tangent to press against the string. Early
clavichords had a range of only 3 octaves, later ones had 4.