More from the harpsichord list

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Date: Sat, 9 Sep 1995 19:23:56 -0400
Sender: Harpsichords and Related Topics
From: AleksF1@AOL.COM
Subject: Re: 2/7 comma meantone

>Thanks for the handy name for the 2/7 linear temp- I'll try to see if I
>can wrap my toungue around that.

I agree that "meantone" or, if one wants to be excruciatingly correct, "mean
tone" (the English term for it was first used by Robert Smith in his
_Harmonics._) is easier on the tongue than 2/7 linear. But as with any
foreign language, it becomes easier with practice... :)

>You're also unquestionably correct about the prevalence of meantone in
>the period in question. However, the very fact that Zarlino published
>his temperament should not be dismissed so lightly.

If I'm not mistaken, I believe that Zarlino himself later admits that it is
inferior to 1/4 linear...

> The persistence of such a temperament over that period of time, even if it
> was used by a small minority of performers or organ builders, says something
> to me. Unfortunately, it says it in a foreign language, and I am still not
> quite clear on its communication.

If I understand you correctly, you're referring to 2/7 linear here. I have
never seen any evidence to suggest that it was even *concidered* by theorists
beyond Zarlino. There may be an honorable mention by Mersenne, but I'm not
sure. Certainly not in Germany. The person to ask would be Edmundo Hora.
If anyone reading this speaks to Edmundo regularly, please tell him to get
on the Net!

Aleksander Frosztega