Tuning related science fair question

An idea:

If you have access to a piano which
you could get tuned to 1/4 comma mean
tone temperament (you can get offsets
from equal temperament for tuner from
me) and then play a simple piece of
music on the mean tone tuned piano
followed by that piece of music
played on a piano tuned to the usual
equal temperament this might be found
very interesting by some in the class.

It has often been said in school
music classes - at least it used to
be said - that temperament had only
a small effect on the piano's sound
which didn't really affect the music.

If you set up a demonstration like
that for the class - I guess you'd need
a second piano or would have to use
recordings - I'll bet the demonstration
would surprise some people quite a bit.

There are other possibilities for
demonstrations - e.g. a piano tuned to
a just intonation scheme - which could
be made equally effective, but the mean
tone demonstration would allow you to
use more complicated pieces of music
for the demonstration.

Good luck on your project.

Dave Hill, Potrero, CA