A guide to musical temperament / Thomas Donahue.

Author/creator Donahue, Thomas, 1953-
Format Book
Publication InfoLanham, MD : Scarecrow Press, 2005.
Descriptionxii, 229 pages : illustrations ; 22 cm
Subjects
Musical temperament.
Tuning.

Contents Main material. The basis for temperament ; Selected temperaments ; Musical aspects ; Generating tuning instructions ; The tuning process ; Instructions for setting selected temperaments ; A historical overview -- Supplementary material. Starting notes, pitch references, and transposition ; Theoretical and equal-beating versions ; Near-equal temperament ; Derivation of the cent equation ; Temperament data ; Temperament spreadsheets ; Instructions in musical notation.
Abstract On keyboard instruments, tuning pure fifth intervals causes octaves to be out of tune. A temperament is a system in which the tuning of the fifths is altered to keep the octaves in tune and allow the use of all notes of the musical scale. This book explores how the twelve notes of the musical scale are tuned on keyboard instruments such as the harpsichord, clavichord, piano, and organ. All aspects of temperament are covered, including a progressive discussion of the theoretical basis for temperament, the musical implications of a temperament's characteristics, and the relationship of the theoretical with the practical, as well as techniques for tuning keyboard instruments and instructions for setting temperaments. The author assembles new information and material from previous sources, providing a comprehensive outline of theories and a historical overview that fills a neglected niche in music and keyboard reference.
Bibliography noteIncludes bibliographical references (pages 217-222) and index.
LCCN 2005017910
ISBN0810854384 (pbk. : alk. paper)