ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a general introduction to performance practices on the keyboard for the pre-1700 era. Specific national or regional traditions have already been dealt with in earlier chapters. 1 We begin by asking why, for this period in particular, there developed among modern keyboard players such an interest in performance practice; what did they hope to gain from its study? After a brief historical review we discuss how today's musicians best approach the subject and what pitfalls they should avoid. We shall also note a special aspect of performance practice on keyboard instruments: the attention given to coaxing expression from these comparatively inflexible instruments.
