crossword clue keyboard instrument – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! If you're pondering the clue "keyboard instrument", you've landed on the perfect page. Below, you'll find a comprehensive list of possible solutions, categorized by letter count, along with helpful explanations to guide you to the correct answer. Let's solve that puzzle together!
Solutions for "crossword clue keyboard instrument" by Letter Count
5 Letters
PIANO: A large musical instrument with a keyboard, producing sound by hammers striking strings. This is one of the most common answers.
ORGAN: A large musical instrument with a keyboard and pedals, producing sound by air flowing through pipes. Often associated with churches.
9 Letters
ACCORDION: A portable musical instrument with bellows and a keyboard or buttons, played by compressing or expanding the bellows.
10 Letters
CLAVICHORD: An early stringed keyboard instrument, popular from the 15th to 18th centuries, producing sound by metal tangents striking the strings.
11 Letters
HARPSICHORD: An early stringed keyboard instrument, preceding the piano, where strings are plucked by quills, producing a distinctive sound.
SYNTHESIZER: An electronic musical instrument that generates and modifies a wide variety of sounds using electrical signals.
More About "keyboard instrument"
The term "keyboard instrument" refers to any musical instrument played using a musical keyboard. This broad category encompasses a fascinating range of devices, from the ancient to the ultra-modern. Historically, instruments like the clavichord and harpsichord were central to classical music, offering unique tonal qualities before the advent of the piano. These early instruments are frequent answers in crosswords that lean towards musical history or more obscure terminology.
In modern crosswords, "keyboard instrument" most commonly points to the PIANO or ORGAN due to their widespread recognition. However, as puzzles strive for variety and challenge, more specific or less common instruments like the ACCORDION or SYNTHESIZER can appear. The key to solving these clues often lies in considering the number of letters and any additional context provided by the clue itself or intersecting words.
Understanding the nuances of different keyboard instruments not only helps in crossword solving but also enriches general knowledge of music. From the percussive action of a piano to the plucked strings of a harpsichord, or the electronic soundscapes of a synthesizer, each instrument offers a unique contribution to the world of music, making them rich fodder for crossword compilers.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Count Your Letters: Always start by counting the available spaces in the grid. This is the single most important filter for narrowing down potential answers, especially for a clue like "keyboard instrument" which has many possibilities.
- Check Intersecting Clues: Use letters revealed by other solved clues. If you have an 'A' in the third position, for example, 'PIANO' and 'ORGAN' might be eliminated, while 'ACCORDION' or 'CLAVICHORD' become stronger candidates.
- Consider the Puzzle's Theme/Difficulty: Easier puzzles typically stick to common answers like PIANO. More challenging or themed puzzles might delve into rarer instruments such as HARPSICHORD or CLAVICHORD. Sometimes, a puzzle might focus on a specific era of music.
- Look for Specific Modifiers: A clue might add modifiers like "electronic keyboard instrument" (likely SYNTHESIZER) or "church keyboard instrument" (pointing to ORGAN). Pay close attention to these subtle hints.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are there multiple answers for one crossword clue like 'keyboard instrument'?
Crossword clues often have multiple valid answers because words can have synonyms, different specific examples, or vary in length depending on the puzzle's design. 'Keyboard instrument' is a broad category, encompassing many different types of instruments that fit the description.
How can I determine the correct 'keyboard instrument' answer for my crossword?
To find the specific answer, check the number of letters required by the puzzle. Also, look at intersecting letters from other solved clues; these will narrow down the possibilities significantly. Sometimes the clue might contain a subtle hint, like 'church keyboard instrument' for ORGAN, or 'early keyboard instrument' for HARPSICHORD.
Are there any common misspellings or tricky variations of 'keyboard instrument' answers?
While the core answers are generally straightforward, be mindful of less common instruments that might appear. For 'synthesizer,' some puzzles might use a shorter variant like 'synth.' Always double-check your spelling, especially for longer, less familiar terms like 'harpsichord' or 'clavichord.'