ET not so equal afterall

Charles Neuman piano@charlesneuman.net
Thu, 7 Mar 2002 14:19:07 -0500 (Eastern Standard Time)


I just had an epiphany about ET. Supposedly it allows a pianist to play
equally in all keys. That might be true of the harmonies produced, but the
layout of the piano keyboard does not allow a pianist to play equally in
all keys. The simple fact that the black keys are shorter and skinnier
makes it impossible to play equally well in all keys. For example, when
playing a passage in Eb minor, as opposed to C minor, the touch is
different and there is less room to move around in.

So even in ET, there will be different colors in the keys due to the
different touch of the keyboard in the different keys.

Flame suit on,

Charles




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