John Henckel wrote:
>Is "well-tempered" and "equal-tempered" the same thing? I don't think
>so. I was under the impression that equal-spaced half steps produced
>bad-sounding music. The key of E is not supposed to sound exactly like the
>key of C (except one third higher). That's why the composer dictates the
>key signature. Each key has its own peculiaritiesies because the notes are
>not equally spaced. Knowing and using the peculiarities of each key is
>part of the art of composition.
>
Yes and no. the expression "well-tempered" comes from the title of
Bach's two volumes of preludes and fugues. The well tempered klavier
certainly referred to a keyboard instrument tuned in equal temperament,
and the books each contain 24 preludes and fugues in each of the twelve
major and minor keys, thus demonstrating that it is possible to tune
a keyboard instrument so that it can be played in any key.
At earlier times instruments were tuned using various scales which were
more consonant in some keys than others, and I'm sure that composers
took advantage of that to produce specific effects which cannot be
reproduced on modern instruments. Even on a modern instrument tuned
in equal temperament keys can sound different from each other, but I
think that's more to do with the mechanics of the instrument than the
actual pitches of the notes.
Phil Taylor
To subscribe/unsubscribe, point your browser to: http://www.tullochgorm.com/lists.html
