Harmonize with Sing-Along Songs
Do you want to learn how to harmonize in tune? We will discuss getting a strong vocal tone as we continue to harmonize with sing-along songs. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.
Equal Temperament
The archive contains posts discussing equal temperament.
Equal Temperament
What is equal temperament, and why do we use it to tune?
China
Equal temperament (ET) is the standard for tuning pianos. ET first came into common use in Europe, but Zhu Zaiyu of China first worked out the math in the late 1500s. However, ET did not impact the everyday Chinese music of the time.
The Chinese had tuned bells, one for each month. Moreover, the bells required a special tuning. They needed to be tuned so that the pitches cycled back to their starting point at the new year.
ET solved this problem. The rest of Chinese music remained pentatonic based, which musicians tuned using concepts from the monochord.
Europe and The Western World
ET in Europe came into use to solve a problem. Namely, the issues caused by the mismatch of vocal versus instrumental tuning.
In the Medieval period, the instruments were tuned using Pythagorean tuning. However, when singers harmonize, they approximate just intonation. This means that instruments tuned to Pythagorean tuning do not support vocal harmony very well.
Meantone
Diverse compromise systems had gained popularity over the years. Keyboardists tuned up using meantone in Mozart’s day. Meantone does a good job of tuning the major thirds, but can function in only a limited number of keys.
Well Temperaments
J.S. Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier creates a showcase for Bach’s tuning. We do not know exactly how Bach tuned his keyboard. However, generally the well temperaments can use every key, but some keys remain better in tune than others. Plus, it also creates key coloration.
Equal Temperament
Equal temperament could be thought of as a very regular well temperament. This gives it several advantages:
- It can play all of the scales.
- Though all the intervals besides the octave have tuning errors, the tuning errors remain spread evenly across the whole system. This means the temperament sounds very even.
- It limits the number of notes required to just twelve.
- Point three makes it practical for keyboard and fretted, stringed instruments.
- It can cycle around the circle of fifths.
- ET works well for chromatic styles, such as jazz and 21st century classical.
- It works fairly well with the tone color of the piano and guitar.
However, ET does not work nearly so well with the organ’s tone color. Also, the equal tempered major third remains barely in tune. For this reason, I created Supplemented Equal Temperament (SET). SET is an enhanced version of ET. ET gets discussed in the archive posts mostly in relation to SET.
© 2021 Geoffrey Keith
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10 Elements that Impact Singing in Tune
Are you passionate about singing? Do you have a hard time singing or playing in tune? Learn the 10 Elements that Impact Singing in Tune. Estimated reading time 14 minutes.
Intonation and Supplemented Equal Temperament
Tired of having your guitar or synth sound out of tune? “Intonation and Supplemented Equal Temperament” shows how to make them sound amazing! Estimated reading time 12 minutes.
Learn How to Get a Killer Sound for Your Band
Do you want your band to sound better? Have you ever been frustrated that your guitar or keyboard sounds out of tune when you play chords? Learn how to get a killer sound for your band by retuning your keyboards and guitars using Supplemented Equal Temperament. Supplemented Equal Temperament works with equal tempered instruments. It also works with variable pitch instruments such as voices, violins, and winds. Estimated reading time 5 minutes.
Sing in Tune with Synth Settings
Does your choir have pitch issues? Retune your synth to make examples of good sounding chords. After years of hearing pianos tuned to equal temperament, many singers cannot sing harmony accurately. The piano is a bad model for how well-tuned chords should sound. Read more to learn how to sing in tune with synth settings! Estimated reading time 4 minutes.
How Chords in Supplemented Equal Temperament Work
Are you frustrated that your synth chords sound out of tune? Supplemented Equal Temperament is designed to play chords that sound more in tune than the regular piano tuning: equal temperament. Learn how to better tune your chords in Supplemented Equal Temperament tuning. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
How to Micro Tune the Keyboard to Make the Chords Sound Awesome
Does it ever bother you that the piano chords sound out of tune? The guitar is not the only instrument that can be retuned. Retuning the keys to Supplemented Equal Temperament (SET) yields chords that sound better than equal temperament – the standard piano tuning. In SET, the triads sound incredible. Learn how to micro tune the keyboard using SET for awesome chords! Estimated reading time 4 minutes.
Are You Passionate About Singing? Learn How to Sing in Tune Like an A Cappella Singer
Want to train your ear to harmonize in tune? All you need is a guitar. Read more to learn how to sing in tune like an a cappella singer! Estimated reading time 4 minutes.
How to Tune the Blues Rock Open D Sound Using Harmonics
Frustrated that the guitar’s chords don’t sound in tune? Learn to tune the blues rock open D tuning using harmonics so you can play chords in tune. You will also learn the song “Jumping Jack Flash.” Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
How to Tune Like a Rock Star
How you tune affects how you sound. We look at how Keith Richards tunes his special open G tuning. The post includes video interviews with Keith Richards. Learn how to tune like a rock star! Estimated reading time 3 minutes.