Which instrument was the most popular before the Classical period?

The harpsichord was indeed the most popular keyboard instrument before the Classical period, particularly during the late Renaissance and Baroque eras. It became widely used in both solo and ensemble music, often serving as the primary instrument for accompanying singers and playing continuo parts during this time.

The harpsichord produces sound by plucking strings with a hooked mechanism when keys are pressed, which gives it a distinct, bright tone that characterized much of the music written during this era. Composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach and Domenico Scarlatti wrote extensively for the harpsichord, further establishing its prominence in musical performances and compositions of the time.

In contrast, instruments like the piano rose to prominence only later, during the Classical period, as its construction allowed for greater expressiveness and dynamic range. The violin had significant importance in both the Baroque and Classical periods, but it functioned as a solo instrument or in orchestral settings rather than as a prominent keyboard or harmonic force alongside the harpsichord. The flute, while popular, did not reach the widespread usage and centrality that the harpsichord had leading up to the Classical era.