Julia writes: << TO add another aspect of the temperaments question: Converesely, if I play jazz, say Herbie Nichols, in the same temperament that Beethoven played on will it sound wierd? << A lot of what we hear is the result of the pianist, regardless of temperament. A highly tempered interval can be used harshly or expressively, depending on how the pianist plays it. I have several jazz musicians that prefer a Victorian era tuning like the Broadwood's, and one that love a Young. They have learned how to use the harmonic "palette" to their desired ends. >>Does modern music sound worse in an old temperament? Wouldn't the playing in different keys sound "wrong" or uneven? or would it be incosequential?>> In the main, it appears to be inconsequential. The more pertinent question I would ask is, "Does a mild well-temperament do more damage to modern music than ET does to Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Brahms, etal?" In side by side comparisons I have been involved with or observed, the ET tuning is rarely favored. I just don't think our organic nature so easily embraces the mathematical result. Once again, this is a subjective thing, so there is no right or wrong "taste" involved. I rarely have anyone want to go back to ET after becoming familiar with the alternative. (But I bet I have lost a customer or two, but don't we all?) Regards, Ed Foote RPT http://www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/index.html www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/well_tempered_piano.html
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