Tuning and Temperament: A Historical Survey

by James Murray Barbour

Overview

Some of music theory's complexities become decidedly clearer with the guidance of this classic survey of the problems of tuning and temperament. It traces the pursuit of the perfect scale (tuning) and the compromises necessary for composing in every key (temperament), from Pythagoras and Ptolemy to Bach, Bosanquet, and beyond. Author J. Murray Barbour notes and evaluates the contributions of well- and lesser-known students of this issue. A chapter is devoted to each of the principal theories, with subsidiary treatment of the minor contributions. Organized chronologically, the book features a helpful glossary and numerous illustrative tables, and it requires minimal background in music theory. This new reissue is currently the only edition in print of a much-quoted classic.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781258668365
Publisher:	Literary Licensing, LLC
Publication date:	04/13/2013
Pages:	244
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.51(d)

Table of Contents

	Preface	v
	Glossary	ix
I.	History of Tuning and Temperament	1
II.	Greek Tunings	15
III.	Meantone Temperament	25
	Other Varieties of Meantone Temperament	31
IV.	Equal Temperament	45
	Geometrical and Mechanical Approximations	49
	Numerical Approximations	55
V.	Just Intonation	89
	Theory of Just Intonation	102
VI.	Multiple Division	107
	Equal Divisions	113
	Theory of Multiple Division	128
VII.	Irregular Systems	133
	Modifications of Regular Temperaments	139
	Temperaments Largely Pythagorean	151
	Divisions of Ditonic Comma	156
	Metius' System	177
	"Good" Temperaments	178
VIII.	From Theory to Practice	185
	Tuning of Keyboard Instruments	188
	Just Intonation in Choral Music	196
	Present Practice	199
	Literature Cited	203
	Index	219
	Intervals with Superparticular Ratios	226