[CAUT] well tempered

[Chris Solliday]

[CAUT] well temperedHow about the unadvertised dumb question, do I use the deviations starting at A49 and go up to G#60 or do I use what I would consider the "temperament octave?" If I just have that correct I can manage the rest by ear. Sorry, I don't have time to buy a VT. Having slept on this I now think double and halve is wrong since that would be for cycles per second not cents but maybe the answer lies in putting the temperament onto a page in memory and then applying multi representative stretching techniques using the Double Octave Beat Control as I usually do with my SAT-not your problem Jon. But maybe someone else out there...
My confusion is compounded by Lehman's suggestion that a C centered tuning (which is supposedly the great discovery contained within the Bach doodles on the title page of the WTC) begins at middle C40 instead of C52 and all his indications either aurally or ETD are based there. Then he goes on to say that he gives indications for an "A" centered tuning because that is the sacred tuning note of orchestras and many piano tuners which he never spells out, so I infer he means A49 but I suppose it could be A37. Who knows? not me.
Thanks for taking the time with this but perhaps it's becoming a more universal thing as Ric B suggests. I am alot like you Jon in that I am doing this just for result and while this may be an opportunity to really dig in and learn something about that which I have been avoiding, I'd really rather just get the thing tuned and go home for some jelly beans. I can appreciate key color but since it is a miniscule part of the available spectrum these days I'm sure Equal Temperament will remain my and most everyone else's tuning of choice. Again the color of jelly beans is much more important...
Thanks,
Chris
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jon Page 
  To: caut at ptg.org 
  Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2008 7:49 AM
  Subject: [CAUT] well tempered


    Dumb question - If I were to continue to the next octaves would I use the
    same deviations or double them each octave up and halve them going down?


  Dumb answer - dunno.  Which is why I went with the VT. No decisions to make
  other than selecting the correct style (stretch) for a given size/quality piano.


  I have tweaked the styles to tune in a manner which my ears agree with.
  The temperament octave is a combo of partials: sm, med, large pianos:
  2:1 80%, 4:2 20%
  4:2 60%, 2:1 40%
  4:2 60%, 6:3 40%


  Aurally check A4-A3 octave size and switch style if needed. Expanding out,
  two or three partials are chosen and given a percentage. No page flipping
  or figuring to do other than assess aurally and either accept or alter the note.


  After many tunings and disagreeing with the machine placement, I have
  assigned registers multiple-partial proportions and sampling points such that
  I find no fault. For instance, instead of using the A5/6/7 as sampling points;
  I chose A5, F#6, D#7, C8.  Breaking the top into sixths/samplings, has smoothed
  out inconsistencies at the treble break and the blend of oct's 6 & 7.


  I'm no wizard when it comes to this stuff and defer to others more knowledgeable.
  I'm more of the seat-of-the-pants kind of tuner regarding this, meaning, making it
  work for me without really understanding the nuts and bolts of it all.


  I recently purchased Rick B's book, On Pitch which I hope will shed some light.

  Regards,

  Jon Page
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