Klarinet Archive - Posting 000355.txt from 2004/11

From: Tony Pay <tony.p@-----.org>
Subj: Re: [kl] RE: pitch standard
Date: Tue, 9 Nov 2004 06:13:13 -0500

On 9 Nov, "Keith" <100012.1302@-----.com> wrote:

> The construction of the scale is most sensibly seen (I think!) by the
> approach first given by Helmholz (in Tonempfindung, available in Dover "On
> the sensations of tone"). We can tune octaves, fifths and triads easily by
> absence of beats. So we get the scale by the major triads based on the
> tonic (I), the dominant (V) and the subdominant (IV). The subdominant is
> tuned a fifth below the tonic.
>
> Note that in this method, which is probably used instinctively in
> orchestral tuning, the major thirds in the scale (eg C to E, F to A and G
> to B) do not have the same ratios. So how they are tuned will depend on the
> harmonic context.

I don't understand this bit. If you use the major triads to get E, A and B
(and D) from C, F and G in C major, you *do* get those major thirds in the
same ratios, surely?

Tony
--
_________ Tony Pay
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