Problems with equal temperament

1. Is equal temperament out of tune?
2. Do we use equal temperament today?
3. Why is equal temperament necessary?
4. What is the difference between just intonation and equal temperament?

Is equal temperament out of tune?

One of those tunings was already known to the ancients: equal temperament. Here the poison is distributed equally through the system: The distance between each interval is mathematically the same, so each interval is equally in, and slightly out of, tune.

Do we use equal temperament today?

Twelve-tone equal temperament. 12-tone equal temperament, which divides the octave into twelve equally-sized intervals, is the most common musical system used today, especially in Western music.

Why is equal temperament necessary?

Because it enables keyboard instruments to play in all keys with minimal flaws in intonation, equal temperament replaced earlier tuning systems that were based on acoustically pure intervals, that is, intervals that occur naturally in the overtone series. ...

What is the difference between just intonation and equal temperament?

Just intonation requires tuning your instrument for a specific key. With standard equal temperament, you can play further down the neck in another key and not end up with different sound quality intervals between notes.