The Acme A1 Temperament

[A440A at aol.com]

Bernard writes:

<< every

string quartet plays quasi ET (slightly narrow fifths, probably quasi

P12) to avoid the pythagorean third of the cello C and the violin  >>

I disagree.  I have sat in many a performance, and rehearsal, with my SAT in 
my lap.  Intonation in a good string quartet is anything but ET,  and in fact, 
I have had a number of string players mention how everything changes when 
they have to play with a piano.  There are no pure thirds in an ET piano, but you 
will hear a lot of them in a good quartet.  
    Horn players know that they must play the E differently, depending on 
what key they are in.  This doesn't indicate ET is in use in the orchestra...

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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