In a message dated 3/27/99 2:07:40 PM Central Standard Time, btrout@desupernet.net writes: << I hope you won't be offended by my post, but I would like to respectfully disagree. I did fly off the handle a bit the other night with a post about temperaments, and I apologize for my lack of tact and a bad attitude. But those are some pretty big statements considering the company you are in. >> And so were yours. It is only another example of how the issues of temperament have become emotional for many people, technicians and piano owners/users, alike. I was not, in fact responding to your "Temperaments..." post, nor did I even have it in mind. I do appreciate your point of view and know by what you write that you are one of the aural tuning minority that really can tune a good ET consistently. If I had to attend a music rehearsal with a piano tuned by you, I'm sure that I would find it not only tolerable, but pleasant to listen to. I respect those who adhere to ET because they believe in it and know how to tune it. You are the very first aural tuner who tunes ET exclusively that I know of wwho has even gotten close to acknowledging what Reverse Well is. One cannot claim to "know" or "understand" about HT's unless those have been a part of usual practice. One needs to be acquainted with the different music styles of the 17th through the 20th Centuries and how any given HT might affect each of them, through years of experience, to make that claim. You can't just claim that you tried it once or even a few times, didn't like it and hastily returned to the beloved and almighty ET, citing the word "Historical" as being a reason why *only* ET is acceptable. It won't convince me or any other HT practitioner of anything even if it might seem reasonable to those who have no other experience. To me, the most valuable lesson that the HT's may have taught you is that you at least know when your temperament really isn't equal at all and far worse, is some kind of backwards rendering of an HT. There are many who don't know the difference and don't care either. I just ran into one late last week, tuned by a well-respected RPT. I took the data on it just to prove my point and will write it up later. It happens "here, there and everywhere" (song cue). No more time now, I'm off to rehearse the Verdi Requiem in ET and will enjoy every minute of it. Bill Bremmer RPT Madison, Wisconsin
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