[CAUT] Shulze tuning research

[A440A at aol.com]

Richard writes:

<<  The question is this:  Does tuning  

pure 12ths over-stretch the thirds especially as they are expressed  

in 10ths and 17ths. <<

     I, for one, think it does. The harmony sounds harsh to me.   

>> I would like to see a convention  

class/demonstration with 2 or three pianos (same model) tuned with  

the various tuning stretches, one with pure 4:2 octave, one with the  

pure 12ths, one that perhaps splits the difference, i.e, slightly  

wide 4ths/slightly narrow 5ths which is sort of a traditional ideal.   

My hypothesis is that the class participants would divide up fairly  

equally among the various choices.   >>

    Perhaps, but I wonder why it matters.  I submit that after all the tuning 
on these pianos, a fourth piano tuned in a Coleman 11 tuning, straight out of 
a machine, (any of them), will blow these pianos off the stage. 
ET can be dressed up any way possible, but in direct A-B comparisons, I have 
yet to see it remotely competitive with a mild WT for the majority of li
steners.  All the refinement in the world doesn't change the ear-deadening effect of 
having all intervals the same.  
     I have a standing offer to anyone that suggests ET is the preferred 
tuning:  give it your best shot and put it alongside Jim Coleman's temperament for 
an audience to listen to and vote.  The angels will dance on the pin, but the 
difference is profound. 

Regards, 

Ed Foote RPT 
http://www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/index.html
www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/well_tempered_piano.html
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