PURPOSE: To compare and contrast several historically important musical scale temperaments.
DESCRIPTION: Intervals illustrating properties and problems are given for the following temperaments: (1) Pythagorean, (2) Just, (3) Mean Tone, (4) Werckmeister, and (5) Equal Temperament. To illustrate the sounds of some temperaments in different keys, a short segment of a four-voice Bach chorale is played on an electronic organ, first in the key of C, then in the key of C#, in the following temperaments: (1) Just, (2) Mean Tone, (3) Werckmeister, (4) Equal Temperament. Detailed description of the various demonstrations is included.
SUGGESTIONS:
REFERENCES: (PIRA unavailable.) A paper with a description of the electronic instrument used in this demonstration as well as a short historical review of temperament will be found in the Demonstration Reference File.
EQUIPMENT: Audiocassette with player.
SETUP TIME: None.
 |  |  |  | 
|