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Temperament
Just Major
Just Minor
Notes on the Use of Classical Temperaments
Using the temperament whose characteristics are best suited for the type of music being played allows one to
draw even more of the beauty and tension contained in a piece. In particular, employing temperaments that
can be transposed in pieces featuring modulation results in subtle changes in chords' resonance, permitting
alterations in the work's subtle coloration.
Werckmeister combined with Meantone and Pythagorean scales is one temperament that allows a high degree
of freedom in modulation, and it has been used in pieces from Bach's day on into modern times. The
Kirnberger temperament was also devised with a similar technique, with its use centering on Bach's organ
works.
The Meantone temperament, popular throughout Europe during the Baroque period, was commonly used in
the works of Handel and other Baroque composers, as well as composers of the Renaissance.
In the Middle Ages, Gregorian chants were sung in churches, so the Pythagorean temperament was used due
to the lengthy reverberation times.
The Vallotti is the most recent of these temperaments. While close to the Equal temperament, it is to a degree
Just, so it is adaptable to pitches from other instruments, and is often used in today's ensembles.
Originating in ancient Greece, the Just temperaments, while not well suited for solo passages, can be used
effectively in cases such as in choral practices for which Just chords are required. In recent years, they have
come to be used in types of music in which the beauty of such chords is thought to be useful in promoting
healing.
Changing the Root Note
You must specify the root note to match the key in which you wish to play.
Procedure
Hold down the [Temperament] button, and play the key for the
desired root note.
fig.02-11
Tempera-
ment
MEMO
MEMO
MEMO
This is a temperament in which the primary triads are created with a pure third and fifth.
While this temperament provides beautiful chords with no acoustic discrepancy, the considerable
irregularity of intervals in the scale makes it unsuitable for melodic playing. This acoustic discrepancy is
especially pronounced between D and A, and between A and C, so no modulation is possible.
As in Just Major, intervals in the primary triads are preserved as pure.
The dissonance of the interval between C and A in Major mode is improved, allowing the primary triads
to be played in minor mode. The tonic is set to C when the power is turned on, making such chords in C
minor pure.
While holding down
When the power is turned on, the key of C will be selected for the root note.
It is possible to change the root note even when the temperament except for Equal temperament
is selected. However, for temperaments that allow modulation (Werckmeister, Kirnberger,
Vallotti, etc.), you will normally use the default setting of C.
The root note that is specified by this operation will not change even if you change the
temperament. When performing in an ensemble, discrepancies in pitch may result when you
switch the temperament or the root note. On the C-280, the pitch of other notes is always
adjusted relative to the pitch of the A note.
Description
Press the key for the root note
Basic Operation—Playing
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