Harpsichord vs Piano

[Isaac OLEG SIMANOT]

Dave,

Do you speak  (read) French ?

For what I know, the harpsichord players tune octaves beat less, and some
tune even the high treble reverse (short octaves) in intention of having
some friction in octaves and have the treble more audible (or lively).

Adding stretch in harpsichord does not work, or you may try to begin with
pure fifths and extra beating octaves, I've heard one tuned as that and you
hear more the sound of the (special) tuning that the sound of the
instrument.

If you are looking for a book there is a very good one which is sold with
tapes of examples on harpsichord and organ, each example music is in the
book with explanations, and comparison is done each time with the same
fragment in ET.

It is from Marcel Asselin, a Canadian musician and teacher. and is called
Musique & Temperament. I will check the exact ref for you if you want
(possible to find it in France where it is edited)

That gives a very interesting idea of how was treated tonality .

I could try to sample some of the examples if you wish . Some are
astonishing.

But again these are on instruments well suited for that.

Regards.

Isaac OLEG



> -----Message d'origine-----
> De : owner-pianotech@ptg.org [mailto:owner-pianotech@ptg.org]De la part
> de David Renaud
> Envoye : jeudi 9 mai 2002 22:14
> A : pianotech@ptg.org
> Objet : Harpsicord vs Piano
>
>
> What is the inharmonicity of harpsichord
> vs. piano strings?
>
>   I presume it is much lower due to thin flexible
> string. Perhaps less consequential on account
> of rapid decay.
>
>   If so, would stretching be and odd concept for a
> harpsichordist?
>
>  I ask as a pro-harpsichordist finds this concept.
> strange. I proposed the possibility of favoring 5ths a
> bit, widening 8va very slightly, giving a little more
> bite to the 3rds, and found myself in deep waters.
> "Impossible"
>
>  I expected the concept of "playing with it" would
> yield an interesting exchange, as they would be
> much more in touch with early music then I am.
>
>   So I find myself curious what school of thought
> good harpsichordist follow. Since they self-tune
> often, they likely receive instruction regarding this
> at universities. I would be interested in  material
> they learn from. Perhaps I will learn their
> language/conventions and have greater success
> communicating next time.
>
>                          Cheers
>                          Dave Renaud
>                          RPT
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________________
> Games, Movies, Music & Sports! http://entertainment.yahoo.ca
>