temperaments...

[Ron Koval]

Don wrote:
<snip>
It seems to me that you would want to tune/design wind instruments to ET.
<snip>

Hi all,

Yes, it seems like that to me too...  That's the reason I ended up calling 
the Fox factory, when people on the alternate tuning list saw the listing on 
the fox website:
http://www.foxproducts.com/bassoon_page.htm
(look under the 601 bassoon, scroll down to intonation) and declared that 
this was proof of non-ET designs, I thought that there must be some 
mis-communicating going on.  I'm still not sure what they're trying to do; I 
don't design 'em, I just fix 'em.  My guess is that it is a matter of 
reality interfering with design.  If you think pianos are locked in history 
when it comes to design, take a look at woodwind and brass instruments!   
Bassoon especially, because to make it possible to cover the holes with your 
fingers, they are drilled at angles, causing the entrance hole to the bore, 
and the outside to be elliptical,  well, it's a problem...   I think a 
flute, with the larger toneholes, perpendicular to the bore has a better 
chance of being ET, at least in the fundamental octave.  Yup, all that 
keywork gets you about an octave, then by venting approx. 1/2 (or other 
ratios) way up from the lower fingering, the upper octaves, or partials are 
forced, along with overblowing.  Even though there isn't the inharmonicity 
problem, the location of the venting causes intonation problems. (that's why 
saxophones use two octave vents to try to accomodate for different ranges.)

Your other point:
<snip>
But it seems to me that you must have a central base to work from
to be able to play in all keys
<snip>

Again confuses the issue by assuming that the ONLY temperament that is 
playable in all keys is equal temperament.  Not true.  All other 
temperaments are not the same, there is quite a range that can be played in 
all keys.  That's kindof the definition of the Well Temperaments....

Ron Koval
Chicagoland

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