Temperament selection

[A440A at aol.com]

Dean writes: 
<< A great deal of church music is written or played in 3 flats. How would a
mild WT, like the Coleman 10 or 11 do for that key? >>

     It would do fine, in fact, it would be just about like in ET.  This is 
in the exact middle of the circle of fifths, so Eb (and A) are tempered much 
like ET.    
            But really, the question is how much tempering can a third take 
before it becomes a liability rather than an asset.  Few musicians or listeners 
register a faster third as "out of tune" until it exceeds some limit.  That 
limit is, in some degree, dependant on the listener's expectation.  It is 
amazing how little notice is given to the change of temperament if nothing is said, 
but how huge a thing it is becomes if somebody becomes intimidated by their 
fear of the unknown.  I haven't really heard music that sounded better in ET, 
unless it was some 20th century compositions and some jazz,(though, many jazz 
players and songwriters around here are real happy to play in the WT 
environment. 
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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