source file: m1361.txt Date: Sat, 21 Mar 1998 17:45:22 EST Subject: we mean well...... From: A440A Bob asks: <>Meantone now, but I keep seeing references to Well. It's 12-tone, right? Yes, Well temperament generally refers to the 12 note division of the octave. Meantone tuning, ( which got its name long after it was no longer used, I think), display little key color, as most of the usable keys are tuned alike, with the last 1/3 of the combinations absorbing all of the comma. Keys are really harmonious or really bad. Well temperament, on the other hand, spread the comma out far enough to make even the worst keys acceptable to the 17th and 18th century ears. The elegance of a well temperament was judged by how even a tonal palette resulted, and the difference of tempering in the thirds provided what I have labeled a "Harmonic Toolbox" for the composers of the era. They would select a key for particular harmonic character to fit their composition. There were quite a few meantone tunings that spread the comma beyond the first four fifths: there was 1/5 comma, 1/6, etc., all of which gradually tempered more and more of the intervals. If I had to make a hard edge distinction, I would say that a well temperament provided a variety of tempering in the root tonic thirds, in a progression demonstrated by modulating by fourths or fifths, with no third tempered by more than a syntonic comma. The more accidentals, the more dissonance in the thirds. The Young,(1799) has the F#-C# third at 21.5 cents, but that is the limit. Some of the earlier well temperaments had several thirds that were tempered this much, but no more. The well temperaments were, of course, hijacked by those that touted the 'doctrine of affections", or the "Character of the Keys", etc. These philosophies had their origin in Plato and his buddies idea of "Ethos", and through the ages, whatever was current was fair game for "proof". I have written a long piece for all of this, which can be found at http://www.airtime.co.uk/forte/history/edfoote.html If you want to hear well temperament on a modern Steinway, email me off list for an address, and I can send you ordering info. Regards, Ed Foote Precision Piano Works Nashville, Tn.