(2) Likewise, whatever speed the tenor F-A major 3rd is, the middle C-E major 3rd is triplets against its duplets.(1) Whatever speed the tenor D-A 5th is, the fifth A-E across middle C should beat in 3/2 ratio from that speed (i.e.For especially careful accuracy, fuss with both these E's until The A-E fifth should beat exactly half as fast as our original F-A major 3rd, sharing the same A. Should have exactly the same character as one another, although the beat rate is different (since the pitch Test for this particular F-A and C-E is found at bar 21 of the WTC book 1 C major prelude. Third from middle C at 4.5 times per second. Middle E from tenor A slightly flat, same quality as these other fifths.Correct the lower D and C to match these two.Middle C from the tenor F and that G, likewise: the fourth G-C beating as triplets against the duplets.Tenor G from that C and D so the fourth D-G beats 1.5 times as fast as the fifth C-G.Tenor A fifth down to D temporarily pure.(See why we're doing this temporary step.) Tenor F fourth down to C temporarily pure.All four of those 5ths will now become equally spaced within Regular size of 5ths, 1/6 Pythagorean comma. This establishes the boundary for the four intervening 5ths, F-C-G-D-A: our (or double the metronome speed of 89) if we are starting from A=440 or 2.8 beats (double the metronome 84) if starting from A=415. Tenor F-A (below middle C) beating wide 3 beats per second.Get A from the tuning fork or other appropriate source.To set up an entire harpsichord in 15 minutes (for an experienced Electronic device instructions for the Bach.Temperament ordinaire from Rameau's instructions and other clues, 2008.17th century Germanic for Buxtehude, Froberger, Pachelbel, Kuhnau, et al, 2008.

Another Lehman temperament ordinaire, 2007 (more intensely colorful than the Bach).Lehman 2006 reading the Bach diagram in a different way.Vallotti, Werckmeister, Neidhardt, Sorge, Young.Bach (Lehman, published 2005, which many call 'Bach/Lehman 1722').Plus, bonus instructions for other representative temperaments by Vallotti, Young, Neidhardt, and Sorge Īnd a general technique to generate any regular system accurately by ear. For 'Bach/Lehman 1722' or whatever anyone wants to call it! Practical temperament instructions by ear. , © Bradley Lehman, 2005-22, all rights reserved.Īll musical/historical analysis here on the web site is the personal opinion of the author,Īs a researcher of historical temperaments and a performer of Bach's music.

Tuning by ear practice