Klarinet Archive - Posting 000324.txt from 2004/11

From: Joe Fasel <jhf@-----.gov>
Subj: [kl] just thirds
Date: Mon, 8 Nov 2004 12:13:43 -0500

The discussion about pitch standards, which then led
to harmonic tuning reminded me of a question I've never
heard answered to my satisfaction. We know that an
equal-tempered major third is considerably wide compared to
a harmonic or just third, i.e., 2^(1/3), approximately
1.2599, compared to 5/4 (two octaves below the fourth
harmonic) or 1.25. Yet, in choirs whatever voice has the
third in a major chord is always being told to keep that
pitch high to prevent the choir's overall pitch from sagging.

Why is this? Is it that the singers tend to find the
just third but we've become accustomed to equal temperament
so that the higher third is somehow needed? Is it that the
just third is what is needed, but some trick of the human
voice or hearing tends to make us sag even below that?
Is it something else altogether?

--Joe

Joseph H. Fasel, Ph.D. email: jhf@-----.gov
Systems Planning and Analysis phone: +1 505 667 7158
University of California fax: +1 505 667 2960
Los Alamos National Laboratory post: D-2 MS F609; Los Alamos, NM 8=
7545

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