Estimated reading time 2 minutes
Table of Contents
Meantone Tuning (Simple Instructions) #1: Playing Mozart
Do you need simple instructions for tuning a keyboard to meantone temperament? Meantone tuning is a temperament from Mozart’s time. It allows you to have an authentic sound when playing music from the classical period. Keep reading Meantone Tuning (Simple Instructions) to learn how to get this sound.
This article uses musical terms. For definitions, see the Glossary at the end of the post.
Meantone Tuning (Simple Instructions) #2: What is Meantone Temperament?
How do we define meantone tuning? Ross Duffin states:
…. regular temperaments include quarter-comma, fifths-comma, sixth-comma (and so on), meantone temperaments, in which all the fifths but one are tempered by the same amount… (How Equal Temperament Ruined Harmony 39)
This means that all the fifths in quarter comma meantone tuning are tuned to 697 cents, except for the wolf interval between C# 76 and Ab 814 (814 – 76 = 738 cents).
Why did they choose the name meantone temperament? Duffin explains:
They are called meantone because the whole tone is exactly one half the size (that is, the “mean”) of the major third. (How Equal Temperament Ruined Harmony 39)
In other words, D 193 is half of E 386 (see the chart below).
Meantone Tuning (Simple Instructions) #3: Introducing Quarter Comma Meantone Temperament
Mobile users: for best results reading the keyboard example, tilt your screen 90o to the right.
To play using quarter comma meantone temperament, you’ll need a microtonal keyboard:
- If your keyboard has global tuning, tune each key to the cent values from the keyboard chart above.
- The cent values have been rounded to the nearest cent to allow keyboards with a 1 cent tuning resolution to use the temperament.
- This chart centers on the key of C major. However, it can also modulate to G major; D major; and C natural, harmonic, and melodic minor.
Unlike the well temperaments, meantone temperaments aren’t circular, meaning that only some of the keys will work.
- The sharp and flat labeling gives you a clue where the problems occur, which explains why we won’t use enharmonic equivalents.
- The major thirds can be very much in tune harmonically: C&E, F&A, G&B, D&F#, A&C#, Eb&G, Ab&C, and Bb&D.
- Or they’re entirely out of tune: E&Ab, F#&Bb, C#&F, and B&Eb.
- The minor thirds can be fairly in tune harmonically: C&Eb, D&F, E&G, F&Ab, G&Bb, A&C, B&D, C#&E, and F#&A.
- Or they’re entirely out of tune: Eb&F# and Ab&B.
- All the fifths are fairly in tune harmonically until you come to the wolf interval between C#&Ab.
- Melodically, the leading tone (B) is very low.
As you play, listen to which combinations of notes work and which don’t.
Back in the 1700s, keyboardists (harpsichord and piano) would tune their own instruments.
- Since meantone tuning limits what major and minor keys can be played, keyboardists tuned the keyboard to the key of the musical composition.
- This explains why you get music with titles like Minuet in C, Sonata in D, etc.
- It’s because the performer had to know the key of the piece in order to get the keyboard properly tuned.
Meantone Tuning (Simple Instructions) #4: Final Thoughts
Here’s a summary of Meantone Tuning (Simple Instructions):
- Quarter comma meantone temperament has many major thirds, minor thirds, and perfect fifths that sound good, but not all of them.
- This limits the number of keys you can play in.
- Despite this, meantone tuning will allow you to have an authentic sound when playing historical keyboard music.
Have fun playing!
Related Posts
- How to Micro Tune the Keyboard to make the Chords Sound Awesome
- How Chords in Supplemented Equal Temperament Work
- How to Change Keys in Supplemented Equal Temperament
- How Supplemented Equal Temperament Minor Keys Work
- Intonation and Supplemented Equal Temperament
© 2024 Geoffrey Keith
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