CAVEAT Isacoff!

So now, this big bit about Pythagoreas, describing his *physical*
charactistics, a flowing white robe, etc., etc.

I thought that little if nothing was known about Pythagoreas, and
that he could have been even a "school" of writers.

Is this just bunk on Isacoff's part? Where is he getting this stuff??

??

jp

Memorable quote from Isacoff:

"(remember, musical pitches rise as the keyboard extends to the
right)"

jp

----- Original Message -----
From: "jpehrson2" <jpehrson@rcn.com>
To: <tuning@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 07, 2002 2:26 PM
Subject: [tuning] CAVEAT Isacoff!

> Memorable quote from Isacoff:
>
>
> "(remember, musical pitches rise as the keyboard extends to the
> right)"

That is soooo deep. But hey! That's only on a right handed piano. Correct?

I've had conversations with people who are confused
about which string is the high string. Sometimes you have
to dumb it down so folks get it.

* David Beardsley
* http://biink.com
* http://mp3.com/davidbeardsley

Well, I *am* learning some things from the Isacoff (enumerated
later), so it's a worthwhile read, regardless of his supposed "point
of view" which I haven't really gotten to yet.

But, one of the most *interesting* parallels is his comparing the
rise in using *temperaments* to that of the rise of *perspective* in
painting.

Now, does *that* parallel really "hold any water...??"

Do *temperaments* really "fool the ear" in the same ways that *visual
perspectives* fool the eyes??

Or is it even a comparison that's impossible to make...

??

jp

----- Original Message -----
From: "David Beardsley" <davidbeardsley@biink.com>

> I've had conversations with people who are confused
> about which string is the high string. Sometimes you have
> to dumb it down so folks get it.

That is on a guitar.

* David Beardsley
* http://biink.com
* http://mp3.com/davidbeardsley

--- In tuning@y..., "jpehrson2" <jpehrson@r...> wrote:

> But, one of the most *interesting* parallels is his comparing the
> rise in using *temperaments* to that of the rise of *perspective* in
> painting.
>
> Now, does *that* parallel really "hold any water...??"

They both can be regarded as a mathematical development--in fact, perspective lead to projective geometry, so art lead to math.

> Do *temperaments* really "fool the ear" in the same ways that *visual
> perspectives* fool the eyes??

No, that's a pretty far-fetched analogy, but Isacoff is always trying to draw these sort of goofy parallels.

My brother in law built a harpsichord-like instrument to see how
difficult it was == he is a very practical engineer who builds motor
cars and things. It was a lovely instrument, very light to the touch,
and had the high notes on the left. It had never occurred to him that
there was a standard for that.
==John ffitch

--- In tuning@y..., <jpff@c...> wrote:

/tuning/topicId_35307.html#35341

> My brother in law built a harpsichord-like instrument to see how
> difficult it was == he is a very practical engineer who builds motor
> cars and things. It was a lovely instrument, very light to the
touch,
> and had the high notes on the left. It had never occurred to him
that
> there was a standard for that.
> ==John ffitch

****That's pretty funny, John. Well, maybe Isacoff has a good point
by putting that info. in there... :)

jp

--- In tuning@y..., "genewardsmith" <genewardsmith@j...> wrote:

/tuning/topicId_35307.html#35334

> --- In tuning@y..., "jpehrson2" <jpehrson@r...> wrote:
>
> > But, one of the most *interesting* parallels is his comparing the
> > rise in using *temperaments* to that of the rise of *perspective*
in
> > painting.
> >
> > Now, does *that* parallel really "hold any water...??"
>
> They both can be regarded as a mathematical development--in fact,
perspective lead to projective geometry, so art lead to math.
>
> > Do *temperaments* really "fool the ear" in the same ways that
*visual perspectives* fool the eyes??
>
> No, that's a pretty far-fetched analogy, but Isacoff is always
trying to draw these sort of goofy parallels.

***It's pretty funny, actually. That's the kind of thing that people
in the 60's would go around "stoned" thinking about.... :)

jp

My brother in law built a harpsichord-like instrument to see how
difficult it was == he is a very practical engineer who builds motor
cars and things. It was a lovely instrument, very light to the touch,
and had the high notes on the left. It had never occurred to him that
there was a standard for that.
==John ffitch