Helmut, If your are really interested in the historical development of tuning practices, may I suggest "Tuning" by Owen Jorgensen published by Michigan State University Press isbn 0-87013-290-3. Probably the best work on tuning that I have run across. Also a couple of other recommendations. Look in to a Kurzweil K2000, for extensive control of tuning control, and a Sanderson Accu-Tuner for your experiments in reading and setting pitches. The beauty of equal temperament tuning is that while intervals sound equally bad, they also sound equally good. While some pieces sound much more harmonious in a certain non-equal tuning, and proper writing makes use of the inherent dissonances, other pieces ,or simply playing in a different key, sound absolutely terrible. Everything is a trade off, or as they say you don't get something for nothing. The historical tnuings have a very definite place when used in the right context and application. However, while I use these temperaments for historical concerts, I'm not quite ready to give up on equal temperament as a failed experiment. Enjoy experimenting! Allan Glireath Gilreath Piano & Organ Co Berry College Gilreath@aol.com
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