temperament

E., tempérament (tan-pd-ra-min), F., tempera men’to, I. A method of tuning, representing the triumph of practice over theory; of art over science. It is a system of compromise, whereby, for practical musical purposes, the octave is divided into twelve intervals, none of which is quite true. In the present piano, and similar instrs. the tones c# and db, for example, are identical, and are given the same string and digital. As a matter of acoustical fact there is a difference between them. If they were given different digitals and tuned exactly, the present freedom of modulation from one key to another would be impo ible without some elaborate device, and the piano, organ, etc., would need a greatly increased finger-board, with 53 digitals to the octave instead of 12 as now. The present tuning was not reached without a war of the bitterest sort; but since the 18th century began, only 12 degrees have been given to the octave. The earliest method was unequal temperament, the key of C major being tuned true, and the TERMS other tones forced to conform. In the twelve-semitone system, the octave was divided into twelve equal parts, no interval being quite true. The mean-tone system had the major thirds tuned true, the intermediate space being divided into two equal intervals; this system produced much discord called the wolf. equal temperament is now generally employed; it is the practice of tuning by fifths. A series of twelve fifths beginning with c lacks only 74/73 of forming a perfect seven octaves; by dividing this slight discrepancy equally among the 12 fifths, the circle of fifths is tempered and made perfect; thus in major C-G-D-A-E-B-F#-(or Gb)Db-Ab-Eb-Bb F- C (B#); in minor a-e-b-f#-c#-g#-d# (or eb)—bb-f-c— g-d-a; and one can modulate by means of dominant harmony (chords on the fifths) through the whole succe ion of keys with almost imperceptible acoustic falsehood. It is this great convenience and simplicity of Equal Temperament that has prevented thus far the acceptance of any of the many instruments invented with the rival method of just intonation. Neverthele the music we know and enjoy has no perfect intervals except the octave; the fifths are a 12th of acomma flat; the fourths a 12th of a comma sharp; the major thirds th of a comma sharp, etc. Temperatur (tam-pé-ri-to or’), Temperament.