A tangent, when referred to in the context of the action of a tangent piano refers to the small slip of wood similar in shape to a harpsichord jack or similar to an unleathered fortepiano hammer which strikes the string to produce sound. It is similar to the tangent of a clavichord only in the sense that they both are driven ultimately by the player's finger to strike the string to initate sound. In the clavichord, the tangent remains in contact with the string to keep the note sounding, while in the tangent piano, the tangent immediately rebounds from the string so that the string is allowed to vibrate freely (that is, it has an escapement). The tangent piano is a very rare keyboard instrument that resembles a harpsichord and early pianos in design. ... Fortepiano designates the early version of the piano, as it existed from its invention by Cristofori around 1700 up to the early 19th century. ... A claw hammer A hammer is a tool meant to deliver blows to a target, causing it to move or deform. ... A tangent, when referred to in the context of the action of a clavichord, refers to the small piece of metal similar in shape and size to the head of a regular (not philips) screwdriver. ... Image:Clavichord. ... A simple escapement. ...