comments about Lucytuning

Haverstick here...a brief comment on Lucytuning. I am reacting to
Morrison's comments, which said something to the effect that Lucy angers
the just intonation folks because he believes that Lucytuning is the
ideal tuning system, and that small whole number ratios are seen as valid
insofar as they approximate Lucytuning (if I missed it here, please
correct me).
Anyway, my point is this: the harmonic series, with it's infinite
series of relationships, is a part of the Creation. We did not invent
this system, and can only react to it in various ways. We can try to play
exactly within the framework of what is there, the ratios, or we can
change them, which gives us various temperaments. But, no matter which
way we deal with it, the 3/2 ratio IS a "perfect 5th"; the 5/4 IS a
"perfect 3rd"...these intervals have exact mathematical values which
definitely affect the way they sound when used in a musical context, and
no matter what we, as humans, think about the Harmonic Series, when we
deviate from it, we change a part of the Creation that is pure; what this
means, exactly, I'm not sure if we yet know. But, any tuning that changes
these basic, fundamental values, is less than perfect, to my way of
thinking.
Now, I play equal temperaments, because I love chordal music with
lots of changes; we all know, in fact, that temperaments came about to
play just this kind of music. I love Bach, Bartok, Charlie Parker, etc.;
I also love the modal music of India, Arabia, Turkey, etc. My point,
basically, is this; once you deviate from the purity of the Harmonic
Series, don't go thinking that you've improved on what was already there.
To me, as much as I enjoy eq temperaments, I don't think for a moment
that I have invented something superior to the mystery of the HS; I know
that eq temps are a compromise that allows me to play the style of music
I like, and nothing more. Perhaps, someday, someone will come up with a
way to play Bach fugues in pure tunings (and I mean in a practical way,
not complex synthesizers that are only for a few); that would be neat.
But, I doubt if that will happen, so I will continue to alter my 5ths so
my 3rds sound better, etc.
If Lucy thinks that his variation of the Harmonic Series is better
than the real thing, then I do not understand his reasoning. Perhaps he
could put a post on the forum which will clarify things, to avoid any
misunderstandings. Again, I see all temperaments as a compromise, and in
no way superior to what already exists...Hstick

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