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Harpsichords and Related Topics

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Subject:
From:
Dennis Johnson <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Harpsichords and Related Topics <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 23 Nov 1994 09:37:20 -0600
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At  5:56 PM 11/22/94 -0500, John Howell wrote:
 
>I have a simple (I hope) question for the real tuning people out there.  I
>often have to re-tune harpsichords for rehearsals or, occasionally, for
>performances.  I'm not trained, and I don't pretend to understand the math,
>but I can usually get a useable meantone (sometimes meaner than others!) or
>more or less equal (which I hate!) temperament.  (I'm a musician, and I'd
>rather trust my ear than the meter on a tuner.  I seem to be in the
>minority on this.)  Instead of using an A-fork, I prefer to start by
>setting C to a C-fork (523.25 hz) because it seems to me that C major
>should be the center of the circle.  As a result, of course, I end up with
>an A that is probably higher than 440 hz.  Any comments or advice would be
>appreciated.
 
 
 
John:
        Actually, with most historical temperaments if C is 523.25 than A
will be slightly flat of 440.  Try setting your C at about 2 beats/sec.
sharp of the C fork and that should be pretty close (This should be about
perfect for the Werckmeister III formula). If you want it right on than you
will either start with A, slightly compromise the form, or get lucky.  This
is why I start with A even though historically C is the center.
Technically, if you really understand the form you can solve this puzzle
from any note.  In fact, that is an excellent exercise.
        I agree with Joseph on this question,  but I do know some tuners
who use this method regularly.
 
 
Everybody have a fun Hoilday!
 
Dennis Johnson
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