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Sign up for our monthly email alertsA Guide to Musical Temperament
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SUBJECTS
Music » Reference
Reference » Health & Science
Music » Instrumental
Health & Science
Music » Music (General)
Reference » Music
REVIEWS
"The writing is practical, and no space is wasted on mere numerology....I have checked much of Donahue's arithmetic and not found any errors....No one who wants to understand temperaments should be in any doubt about how much systematic work is required, but Thomas Donahue's book goes a long way towards making it as easy and rewarding as it can be."
— THE BRITISH CLAVICHORD SOCIETY NEWSLETTER
DESCRIPTION
On keyboard instruments, tuning pure fifth intervals causes octaves to be out-of-tune. A temperament is a system of tuning in which the tuning of the fifths is altered to keep the octaves in-tune, and to allow all notes of the musical scale to be usable. A Guide to Musical Temperament is an introduction to the subject of how the twelve notes of the musical scale are tuned on keyboard instruments such as the harpsichord, clavichord, piano, and organ.
This book covers all the various aspects of temperament, including a progressive discussion of the theoretical basis for temperament, the musical implications of a temperament's characteristics, and the relationship of the theoretical with the practical. Giving procedures and techniques for tuning keyboard instruments, along with descriptions and step-by-step instructions for setting temperaments, the book also includes supplementary notes such as advanced calculations and references. Author Thomas Donahue assembles new information as well as material from previous sources, giving a comprehensive outline of theories and a historical overview. Taking a complex subject that is often presented in either confusing or ambiguous terms, Donahue presents it in a straightforward manner, filling a neglected niche in music and keyboard reference.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Thomas Donahue is a musician and instrument builder. He is author of The Modern Classical Organ, Gerhard Brunzema: His Work and His Influence (Scarecrow, 1998), and Anthony Newman: Music, Energy, Healing Spirit (Scarecrow, 2000).
