Peter Prelleur (1728–1750)
The Compleat Tutor for the Harpsichord or Spinnet wherein is Shewn the Italian Manner of Fingering.… London: Peter Thompson, n.d. Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress
(S. 4247) (6)
A Book about Harpsichord Playing
Jefferson did not play the harpsichord, so his interest in the instrument was on behalf of his daughter Martha. He took on the study with characteristic zeal and eventually commissioned a bespoke harpsichord for his daughter, asking Jacob Kirckman “to make for me one of his best harpsichords with a double set of keys.”
Once the instrument was received, he encouraged Martha to follow his same regimen of practice: “Do not neglect your music. It will be a companion which will sweeten many hours of life to you.”