Which Temperament

[Jim Coleman, Sr.]

Hi Lance:

At my present state of development, I tend to stick to the safer type
tunings, like any of the Well Temperaments. When you become more
adventuresome, you might like to try the Modified Meantones. Kirnberger,
Werkemeister, Young etc. might be good for those who really know how to
use them. If you write Paul Bailey or Bill Bremmer, they could give you
better advice than I. They are the ones who advise me.

Jim Coleman, Sr.

On Fri, 3 Oct 1997, Michel Lachance wrote:

> Dear list,
> 
> What I find puzzling about historical temperament is to know which one 
> to use.  When a "baroque" musician orders me a meantone, my anwer is: 
> which one?  I can tune up to 14 meantone versions with RCT.  And when he 
> ask "which one would you recommend?", I have not the least idea.
> 
> I had a look in Owen Jorgensen's book "Tuning" which is THE reference 
> document concerning historical tunings.  He gives a lot of informations 
> about the history of each temperament but very few hints about what kind 
> a temperament was most popular on a given time.
> 
> Is there any other sources where I can get a kind Top Ten Chart of the 
> commonly used temperament from 16th to 19th century?
> 
> For example, what would you suggest for someone playing a piece from 
> Couperin?
> 
> Michel Lachance, RPT
>