Corte, >On 2-apr-04, at 15:48, Corte Swearingen wrote: >>Hello List, >> >>My question is this. I'm wondering if unequal temperaments tend to sound >>like they are going out of tune quicker than equal temperament. My >>reasoning is that if some of the notes are already altered from equal >>temperament, isn't there less of a "window" of pitch shift before the piano >>starts to sound out of tune? Does this seem to be a valid question and/or >>concern? Unequal temperaments frequently have PURE fifths, fourths and/or thirds. Therefore, if the tuning starts to slip and one of these pure intervals is beating, it is IMMEDIATELY recognisable as being out of tune. No ifs, ands, or buts. It _is_ or it _isn't_ PURE. Also, that pure interval is frequently the other side of one which is real close to being a "wolf". One common note slipping can not only "temper" a pure interval, but create a REAL nasty interval out of one which had been only borderline nasty. Tempering is controlled mis-tuning. In equal temperament, NOTHING is pure except unisons. Not even octaves - take your pick... 2:1, 6:3, 4:2 They are all different. Can you listen to a major third which theoretically should beat at 9.7, but happens to be beating at 9.6 or 9.5, and IMMEDIATELY tell that it is slow without a machine or using several checks? There is more "wiggle room" in equal temperament than in a temperament which uses pure intervals. My 2.1¢ - readily discernable from 2.0¢ Conrad Hoffsommer - Music Technician Luther College, 700 College Dr., Decorah, Iowa 52101-1045 Vox-(563)-387-1204 // Fax (563)-387-1076 The man that hath no music in himself, Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils; The motions of his spirit are dull as night, And his affections dark as Erebus. Let no such man be trusted. ---Wm. Shakespeare - Merchant of Venice
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