>Just what is this constrictor-hold that ET has over everyone? Just what is this insistence that everyone who isn't dedicating their professional and personal lives to pursuit of alternate temperaments is in the stone age and afraid of anything but ET? I really don't get it. Why aren't you working on a better bridge termination system, or the ultimate agraffe or capo configuration? Why aren't you fixing killer octaves, or inventing a hammer that is uniform and dependable from set to set? How about perfecting bass strings? That's something that still needs some work. Or casters that work? How is it that the instrument the temperament is put on is of so much lesser importance than the temperament, that the temperament becomes such an issue? Just what is this presumption that the thing that currently holds your interest is the only thing that is worthy of consideration? Why do the disciples of alternative temperaments insist that anyone who isn't interested in their passion is a technological pagan? Or is it not a technological thing at all, and simply a matter of not being worthy? I read a whole lot of talk about temperament wars. A WHOLE lot. I read about the desperate clinging of the pitifully backward adherents of ET to their obviously deficient temperament(s, including the ubiquitous reverse well variants), and their virulent opposition to anything else. I read all this from the alternate temperament folks. From the ET folks, I read occasional queries of interest, and a more general disinterest. It's neither a passion, nor a phobia. It is disinterest. What I don't read, and never have, is a general condemnation and vilification or fear of alternate temperaments from the ET folks. Nearly as I can tell, all the angst, all the insecurity, all the defensiveness and general antagonism is coming from the alternative temperament folks. Maybe I'm reading posts from a different list than you are, but that's what I'm reading. Admittedly, I'm probably missing fear and loathing posts from rabid ET pit bulls, but I suspect I'm missing equally rabid posts from alternative temperament folks too, so I suspect it more or less evens out. I do know I'm seeing a lot more rabid posts from the alternative temperament folks here than I am from ET folks. By all means, promote your passion. Wave flags, and shout your convictions to the world. That's how progress is made, in whatever direction wins. By all means, attempt to broaden your horizons and those of the other piano techs you have access to via the internet. Bless you, and go in peace, but if anyone chooses not to follow your personal quest, leave them the hell alone and don't characterize them as something they're not. They may just have other interests you don't happen to share. This is not a piano specific technical matter. It has nothing whatsoever to do with mechanics, design, physics, or piano function. It is strictly a personal and subjective evaluation of methods of tuning a piano that is already what it is. It is, in short, the very last thing on the list of what makes a piano a piano - after the fact. Those that are interested things other than alternative temperaments are simply that. End rant... again. Ron N
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