Historical tuning

[Don Mannino]

This message is in MIME format. Since your mail reader does not understand
this format, some or all of this message may not be legible.

---------------------- multipart/mixed attachment
> Jim Coleman Se=F1or wrote:
>=20
> >>Don Mannino came by after class and played the two pianos
> extensively. Perhaps he could write a little from his perspective.
> BTW,
> thanks Don, for providing the two lovely Kawai pianos, one was an R1
> and=20
> the other was an RA model, both over 6'. <<
>=20
> (now recovered from serious blushing)
>=20
> Actually, I think I preferred the pure 5ths tuning, Jim. The tone of
> the piano influences so much our perception of the tuning, though.  I
> must apologize again that the pianos were not matched - the R-1 being
> SO much softer in tone than the RX-A, which is (as usual) rather big
> and bright toned. Even though the string scales are the same, the
> instruments were not.
>=20
> I think I preferred the pure 5ths better because it sounded more like
> my tuning, but with much wider octaves. The octaves were noticeable
> when I stopped and analyzed them, but really, in playing they sounded
> fine.
>=20
> The Coleman 11 temperament was more lush sounding perhaps, but the
> soft hammers affected that very much. When playing music the uneven
> sound of the different keys bothered me - as do most hysterical ;-)
> temperament tunings. At a distance this may blend together into a
> color change, but to my typical tuner's ear listening to beat rates
> (it's awfully hard to get away from that, you know!), even playing in
> the supposedly "warm" key of Ab major sounded off.
>=20
> Please forgive me for the colorations in my ears, o ye historical
> temperament faithful!
>=20
> I agree with your conclusion, Jim, that the temperament is not as
> important as simply doing a good solid tuning. Yes, many musicians
> will enjoy the sound of a non-equal temperament at times, but this
> semi-musician / piano tooner really likes to hear the music in equal.
>=20
> It's funny what you can get used to, you know? I have a really
> wonderful recording of the Charles Ives quarter tone pieces, for 2
> pianos tuned 1/4 tone apart. The first few times I listened to these
> pieces I cringed and laughed out loud at the sound of these two =
pianos
> playing together. But with time and more listening I have come to
> really love these pieces! I learned to not listen only to the
> dissonances, but to the music, the interplay between pianos, and
> musical affect of quarter-chromatic scales. They are really
> imaginative pieces, and when played well never fail to lift my
> spirits! That's what it's all about, isn't it?
>=20
> Attempting to remain open minded,
>=20
> Don Mannino RPT

---------------------- multipart/mixed attachment
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: not available
Type: application/ms-tnef
Size: 4434 bytes
Desc: not available
Url : https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/47/5e/b2/37/attachment.bin

---------------------- multipart/mixed attachment--