I have read with interest all the info about historical temperaments but have never been called upon to tune one, with the exception of our harpsichord teacher, who taught me the temperament she likes but usually tunes it herself. So, I have been experimenting. I have tuned some of the practice room and studio pianos with variations of the Vallotti/Young temperament, usually using the one on page 256 of my huge Jorgensen book. Then I have played them, using music from all different periods. Some of them sound very good, and as a tuner I can hear the differences, but as a musician it's very subtle. I have had pianists and piano professors play them, and they have no complaints. Some favorable reactions, some noticing no difference. I have tried to find music that sounds bad on these temperaments, but even 20th century stuff sounds OK. What kind of music will sound bad on this kind of well temperament? I actually kind of prefer it to equal. I am a good pianist, and the music sounds sweet to me. Mark Graham Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory of Music Berea, Ohio
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