Tuning and Temperament: A Historical SurveyThe demands of tuning (attaining the perfect scale) and temperament (the compromises necessary for composing in every key) have challenged musicians from the earliest civilizations onward. This guide surveys these longstanding problems, devoting a chapter to each principal theory and offering a running account of the complete history of tuning and temperament. Organized chronologically, the book features a helpful glossary and numerous illustrative tables, and it requires minimal background in music theory. This new reissue is currently the only edition in print of a much-quoted classic. 9 figures. 180 tables. |
Contents
History of Tuning and Temperament | 1 |
Greek Tunings | 15 |
Meantone Temperament | 25 |
Fig A Schneegass Division of the Monochord | 38 |
Equal Temperament | 45 |
E Strähles Geometrical Approximation | 66 |
Just Intonation | 89 |
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Common terms and phrases
31-division 53-division approximation Aristoxenus arithmetical division bonded clavichord C⁰ Cents cent flat cents sharp Chapter chromatic semitone circle of fifths Circulating Temperament clavichords clavier comma flat comma sharp compass construction correct diatonic semitone ditonic comma divided Eb+1 Ellis enharmonic equal semitones equal temperament error fifths tempered flat by 1/4 fretted instruments Galilei's Ganassi's geometrical Grammateus intervals intonation irregular systems Johann keyboard instruments keys Leipzig logarithms lute major third Marpurg's Temperament mean deviation mean proportionals meantone temperament Mersenne Mersenne's mesolabium method minor monochord multiple division musique n₂ Names C C Names Cents Neidhardt's Fifth-Circle notes numbers octave organ perament perfect fifth pitches practice pure fifths pure thirds Pythagorean tuning Ramis ratio regular temperament Salinas Sauveur scale Schlick's shown in Table string string-lengths superparticular symmetric syntonic comma temperament Table tempered by 1/6 tempered fifths theorists tone triads tuning system Werckmeister Werckmeister's wolf fifth Zarlino