{"id":1850,"date":"2025-03-19T12:12:15","date_gmt":"2025-03-19T16:12:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pianotechniquemontreal.com\/?p=1850"},"modified":"2025-03-19T12:15:55","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T16:15:55","slug":"rediscover-the-richness-of-unequal-temeperaments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pianotechniquemontreal.com\/en\/rediscover-the-richness-of-unequal-temeperaments\/","title":{"rendered":"Rediscover the richness of unequal temeperaments"},"content":{"rendered":"

As a musician, my journey has exposed me to historical temperaments, those tuning systems that preceded the dominance of equal temperament. I have always been fascinated by how each key, in these systems, possesses its own unique color and atmosphere.<\/span><\/p>\n

A pivotal moment in this realization occurred while I was attending a concert where I had personally tuned the piano. I must say, I was particularly pleased with my work. However, when a chord resolution came, I was struck by an unexpected dissonance: a rapid beating caused by equal temperament, the modern standard where all fifths, fourths, and thirds are slightly out of tune but evenly distributed across the octave. The sound, which I had unconsciously expected to be soothing, turned out to be more restless, less satisfying than anticipated.<\/span><\/p>\n

This experience deepened my interest in unequal temperaments. Unlike equal temperament, where all keys sound uniform, historical tuning systems give distinct characteristics to different tonalities. In meantone temperament or certain well-tempered systems, the major thirds in C major or G major are closer to pure, vibrating more slowly and creating a sense of calm and serenity. In contrast, keys like E major or F# major produce faster beating, giving them an almost exalted energy.<\/span><\/p>\n

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This sonic diversity is not insignificant. It influences not only the listener but also the composer, who, in the time of Bach or Mozart, composed with these characteristics and their associated affects in mind. Returning to these temperaments means rediscovering a forgotten expressive palette, a wealth of harmonic colors that can transform the way we listen to and interpret music.<\/span><\/p>\n

What if we dared, today, to reintroduce this diversity into our relationship with the piano?<\/span><\/p>\n

Talk to your piano technician about it!<\/span><\/p>\n