Topmusicanswers
- How is Meantone temperament calculated?
- When was Meantone temperament used?
- Are all instruments tuned in equal temperament?
- How do you tune a quarter comma Meantone?
How is Meantone temperament calculated?
Equal temperament, obtained by making all semitones the same size, each equal to one-twelfth of an octave (with ratio the 12th root of 2 to one ( 12√2:1), narrows the fifths by about 2 cents or 1/12 of a Pythagorean comma, and produces thirds that are only slightly better than in Pythagorean tuning.
When was Meantone temperament used?
Meantone temperament, system of tuning keyboard instruments, most prevalent from the early 16th century through the 18th century. Meantone temperament was oriented around major thirds (a musical interval, such as C–E, covering four semitones).
Are all instruments tuned in equal temperament?
In musical tuning, a temperament is a tuning system that slightly compromises the pure intervals of just intonation to meet other requirements. Most modern Western musical instruments are tuned in the equal temperament system.
How do you tune a quarter comma Meantone?
You can eliminate this ensemble conflict by starting your Quarter-comma Meantone from the usual a' tuning fork, tuning down the octave to a, then the pure Major third down to f. Divide that f–a third into your four quarter-comma narrow fifths, making f–c', g–d', c'–g' and d'–a' sound equally rough.
