Why Systematize?

Oop. I intended this to go to the entire list, not just Johnny.

--------------- Forwarded Message ---------------

From: Gary Morrison, 71670,2576
To: Johnny Reinhard, INTERNET:reinhard@styx.ios.com
Date: 28 Oct 1996 , 12:36 PM

RE: Re: TUNING digest 875

> Re: systems, I don't believe there is any virtue in sticking to a
> particular system of tuning, per se.

Speaking for myself, I see a lot of value in systematizing tuning.

Operating within a framework of limitations, and possibilities of course,
stimulates creativity. Waving a magic wand over every problem we encounter,
rather than solving them by ingeniously combining limited resources within our
grasp, is boring.

Also, tuning systems prioritize certain resources over others. That strongly
affects the results. The traditional modes within a 12TET framework provide a
close analogy: The fact that our culture divides 12 otherwise indistinct pitch
classes into 7 meat-and-potatoes pitches with 5 spice pitches has had a strong
effect upon Western music.



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