Tom writes: > there is much IMHO to be >said for tradition and consistency. I agree, and the tradition of unequal tunings is far, far more extensive than ET, which is a relative newcomer to the world of keyboard tuning. Its adoption during the late 1800's was quite a break with consistancy, at least with regards to the tonal organization of the keyboards' octave, which had been widely recognized for 400 years or more. >And after reading about HTs here and trying > to digest that an out of tune piano should sound better than one in tune, Hmm, It depends on what you call "in tune". This certainly can't be referring to equal temperament, as all intervals (other than the octave ) in this tuning are "out of tune". The thirds by 13.7 cents! Just because we are accustomed to it doesn't change the fact that everything in ET is "out of tune". If you want to hear "in tune" listen to a Kirnberger or 1/4 meantone. > it was with great glee to read right here that S&S doesn't care to know anything > about CA or HT. Yet, but that is changing around them. Yamaha has already begun. As soon as any manufacturer finds the financial advantage in something, they will pursue it. That day is coming, and I am afraid Steinway will either be playing catch-up or building a reactionary defense to the unavoidable progress that intonation makes. History proves that intonation, keyboard or otherwise, doesn't remain static, but evolves with technology. Some will embrace change, some will just consider it, while others will hide from it. They that have ears, let them hear. There has always been resistance to change, but it has never stopped the evolution. We have had at least 100 years of ET tuned keyboards, and now the wheel is beginning to turn, once again. Those of us that are involved in this movement are no more than cogs on the gears, the real progress will show itself in 21st century composition. The response from pianists that have been properly introduced to alternatives does nothing to support the assumed "supremacy" of ET, but rather, continues to convince me and others that there is great merit in other temperaments. It is from the artists' responses that we draw fuel for this endeavor. Regards, Ed Foote RPT
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC