HT's

[Michael Jorgensen]

Hi John,
     This logic of yours makes perfect sense.  Even most music played by
advanced pianists was written during the common practice period prior to
1900 which suggests a form of well temperament.  Virtually all classical
period works were written in keys of four sharps or four flats or less. 
(I'm sure someone will probably find an exception, please let me know
what work it is).  This switches around with Chopin and other romantic
composers along with increased chromaticism.  (With Chopin, the most
placid works tend to be composed for keys with a high number of sharps
or flats). This creates a problem in choosing a suitable temperament for
everything.
-Mike Jorgensen RPT

John Woodrow wrote:
> 
> List,
> Just finished my way through "Tuning" by Owen Jorgensen.  What am
> impressive piece of work, and a credit to the man.
> 
> Anyhow, got some loose thoughts on the subject of HT's that I thought the
> list may like to critique for me.  I have no strong feeling  to these ideas
> so openly welcome any opinion.  I have no scientific facts for any of these
> ideas, just impressions.
> 
> I know many may think that HT's is a subject that has been done to death,
> but I have tried to tackle this issue in my own mind from a different angle.
> 
> PIANOS
> The upright or vertical piano must make up 80% or more of the pianos in
> use.  Most of these uprights appear to fall into 2 groups, full size
> uprights built sometime prior to WWII, and studio size Asian pianos built
> in the last 20 years.  Most of the pre WWII group a now getting a bit run
> down, and most of the newer Asian group are at best of medium quality.
> 
> Simple Conclusion: The vast majority of pianos in use and being tuned can
> use all the help they can to sound good.
> 
> PIANO PLAYERS
> The vast majority of piano players would only be of an middle intermediate
> level or less.  Little, if any, of their repertoire is in a key containing
> more than 3 or more sharps or flats.
> 
> Simpler and unscientific conclusion: The vast majority of people NEVER play
> in the 'advanced keys'.
> 
> OTHER FACTORS
> Of the number of pianos being played, only a tiny percentage would ever be
> played in conjunction with another instrument.  Most musicians have only
> the faintest idea if the piano is 'in tune'.  As long as unisons and
> octaves are OK, they don't care all that much about the rest (OK calm down,
> this is only meant to be half serious).
> 
> HYPOTHESIS
> Putting all the above together, the vast majority of the piano market
> comprises 'ordinary' piano's being played alone in a home situation,
> playing relatively simple material in the keys of F,C,G,Bb,Eb etc.
> 
> So after reading Jorgensesn's work I am left asking myself "what is the
> best tuning for the average customer" (average defined above).  Will the
> improved harmony in the simpler keys in a Victorian or other HT, bring out
> the best in what is being played on the average home piano?  Could this
> really be the right solution for maximizing the musical experience of the
> 'average' player?
> 
> Look forward to any comments.
> 
> Regards,
> John Woodrow
> Sydney, Australia
> 
> Email:          Woodroj@syvax.email.dupont.com
> Telephone:      61-2-99236103
> Fax:            61-2-99236099