19. Which of the following is NOT a keyboard instrument?
Answer: E
Recorder is NOT a keyboard instrument.
The recorder is a woodwind instrument, not a keyboard instrument. Unlike the piano, organ, harpsichord, and clavichord, which are all played by striking or pressing keys, the recorder is played by blowing air through the instrument and covering holes to produce different pitches.
A) Piano
The piano is a well-known keyboard instrument that produces sound by striking strings with hammers when keys are pressed. It is widely used in various music genres and is categorized as a percussion instrument due to its mechanism, making it undeniably a keyboard instrument.
B) Organ
The organ is a keyboard instrument that produces sound by forcing air through pipes or using electronic means. It is characterized by its multiple keyboards and pedals, allowing for a wide range of musical expression, solidifying its classification as a keyboard instrument.
C) Harpsichord
The harpsichord is a keyboard instrument that produces sound by plucking strings when keys are pressed. It is commonly used in Baroque music and is distinctly recognized as a keyboard instrument because of its key-based playing mechanism.
D) Clavichord
The clavichord is also a keyboard instrument that generates sound by striking strings with tangents when the keys are pressed. It is known for its expressive capabilities and intimate sound, firmly placing it within the category of keyboard instruments.
E) Recorder
The recorder is a woodwind instrument that does not have keys to play notes. It is played by blowing air into the mouthpiece and covering holes to change pitch, which distinguishes it from keyboard instruments that rely on a keyboard mechanism.
Conclusion
The recorder is definitively not a keyboard instrument, as it does not utilize a keyboard mechanism for producing sound. All other options—piano, organ, harpsichord, and clavichord—are categorized as keyboard instruments due to their reliance on keys for sound production. Thus, the correct answer is E, as it is the only option that does not fit within the defined category.