>So, how do I tune a well temperament? Tell me how to do it aurally, being >that I can't use a SAT. But if this temperament is used, aren't there some >musical keys that sound really bad? I thought that was the reason equal >temperament evolved, to make all keys sound at least reasonable without >having to retune the instrument. >Arnold Schmidt, Raleigh, NC, arnold1@mindspring.com Dear Arnold, There are lots of well temperaments. Which would you like to tune? I would suggest you get a copy of Owen Jorgensen's book TUNING. This is the life work of the foremost authority on the development of western tuning systems. Well tuning means a temperament in which you can play in all keys with no wolf tones. Another name is revolving temperament. Do not confuse this with meantone tuning which is a limited temperament. Bach's Well Tempered Clavier was a set of exercises in all twelve keys. This was not to demonstrate playing at different pitches and on the black keys, but rather an example of all twelve tonal colors available in a twelve note scale. All temperaments involve fitting the Pythagorean comma into one octave. In equal temperament we divide the comma into 12 equal parts, while well tunings might be divided into fewer parts. Equal tuning is a 12th syntonic well tuning. Other well tunings may divide the comma into as few as two or up to eleven parts. I often use the Kirnberger III well temperament which is a 4th syntonic tuning. This involves fitting the entire comma in four narrow fifths which produces eight perfect fifths. This also produces four perfect major thirds which really gives the tonal center its color. We are not used to hearing perfect major thirds but they are really beautiful and calm sounding. As you only temper four fifths, this is a very easy aural temperament. Since we hear with our ears we should always tune with our ears. I have yet to meet anyone who enjoyed a concert by watching lights spin. I hope you will pursue well tuning as a viable offering to your clients as it opens a whole new facet of musical color that is not available in equal tuning. Ferdinand Pointer, RPT Harpsichord builder/restorer Clearwater, FL
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