[CAUT] Lehman tuning (was bridge pin removal)

[Fred Sturm]

On 12/13/06 9:08 PM, "Anne Acker" <a.acker at comcast.net> wrote:
> hi Fred,
> 
> Thought you might like to know I was just talking with Brad Lehman and he was
> interested to hear of your PTG Journal article.   At his request, I'm mailing
> a photocopy.    Brad is extremely intelligent in many fields, a highly
> talented performer and a really nice fellow.   He has two harpsichords I built
> for him when I was in northern Virginia still.
> 
> I found your checking with thirds rather interesting.  I can tune a
> harpsichord in about 15 minutes or less with this temperament, and I never
> listen to thirds beyond checking the final F-A.      Isn't the whole point of
> the method that you just whip around the 5ths?  The thirds take care of
> themselves.  
> 
> I'm very happy you published this.  While there is a huge amount of
> disagreement and controversy over this tuning, it is really very nice, very
> usable, and very fast to lay on an instrument.  The only temperament I find
> faster is 1/4 comma meantone.
> 
> I highly recommend you all read this, and then go find the original online on
> Brad's website, which is nicely referenced in the article.
> 
> best and back to harpsichord building here,
> 
> Anne
> 
Hi Anne,    
    Thanks for letting Brad know. I intended to have Sandy mail him a copy
of that issue, but it slipped my mind. Too much on my plate at the moment to
take care of the details that matter :-(
    Why thirds? Hey, who was my audience? A bunch of PTG members. If I left
out major thirds, they'd run me out of town on a rail <G>. You'll note I
didn't get real detailed in listing beat rates, just gave a general idea.
    I agree it is a lovely and easy temperament. Definitely one of the
easiest to remember. Fast and unfussy. It is exactly the sort of thing Bach
would use, in my analysis of his character. Simple, elegant, quick.
Regards,
Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico