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2004-10-06

 
From: "Eric J. \"Rick\" Allen" 
Subject: [CB] Intonation thread
Date: Wed, 6 Oct 2004 02:21:59 -0500


Thanks to all who are responding to my initial inquiry!  I admit that I never got that far in music theory...

I'm still trying to iron out the mathematical nuances here, like how the Pythagorean stuff got in there, among other things.

Thanks again for all the input!


Eric in MN


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From: "John Kilpatrick"
Subject: Re: [CB] [CB Digest]
Date: Wed, 6 Oct 2004 09:11:22 +0100


> Does anyone know the name (or how I may get hold of) of the recording of
> what sounds like a never ending scale of chords on the organ?

I'd also like to know about this! I've used a potentially endless cycle of 24 chords in a Magnificat (that will probably never get performed) that can be seen at http://www.kilp.dsl.pipex.com/kilp20/magnunc.pdf  (page 5), and I always wondered if this had been done by someone before. Sorry - it's getting a little off-subject.
John Kilpatrick


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Date: Wed, 06 Oct 2004 08:54:40 -0400
From: Lawrence de Martin
Subject: Re: [CB] Well Tempering


Just last night I listened to 12 pieces from the Well Tempered Clavier played exceptionally well (pun intended) on a non-well tempered harpsichord re-tuned during intermission.  Most of the music I hear both live and recorded is not well-tempered, and I consider rationalized intonation an anomaly of a small subset of music in one culture with a mere 200 years of dominance, hopefully near an end.

I also heard Saturday last an HIP of Handel with 15 baroque double reeds (yes, a Baroque contrabassoon!).  This was one of the most beautiful sounds of my life, which caused tears to run freely.  I gave away my conflicting tickets to Lang-Lang with the NY Phil, with no regrets.

The native music of five out of six continents, 90+% of the world population and nine out of eleven centuries in my collection of western European tradition are "micro-tonal", which has come to mean everything other than well.  Contemporary genres jazz, blues, 20th century orchestral and chamber music are micro-tonal, and even romantic era string quartets and choral music intone joyously into perfect chords.

The Conservatory System is like a shackle forged of keys with finicky adjustments, always off key but never sharply dissonant. I say, embrace notes that shift as you go up and down, modulate and harmonize.  It's a bit more tricky with winds or frets, but ultimately more meaningful.

Lawrence de Martin
Greenwich

>>So on to my question:  Besides "tempered" (think Bach's "Wohltempiert
>>Klavier"), what are the other intonation systems used in music
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From: "Richard Simons"
Subject: [CB] Pentatonic??
Date: Wed, 6 Oct 2004 10:24:10 -0400

GHB is a full scale plus one note.However they are not tuned to A 440 Which presents problems when playing with other instruments. Nor is the pitch standardized between makers. Just like all the early instruments. And they have been considered a weapon. Too bad the early Scots did not have bass saxes.
Richard Simons

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Date: Wed, 06 Oct 2004 11:37:40 -0700
From: Craig
Subject: Re: [CB] Intonation thread


Eric,

You are right. I don't recall seeing your initial question actually answered, including by me. Were you speaking of scales, perhaps? I think the mention of WTK is what had everyone thinking about tuning schemes.

Craig


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