Tempering and detempering

HI there,

I think the idea that a tuning is improved by tempering or by
detempering is a strange one - not sure if anyone here
does think that. Transformed - yes.

There seem to be a variety of taste here. Some like the intervals
to be very regular in size, maybe two sizes at most, or three
sizes if the scale is small. Others like scales with many
step sizes, and others don't particularly notice the step size
unless it is quite a large variation in size. So I wonder
if that might be part of it, as the just scales often have
many different step sizes (not always of course, as the
just intonation MOS scales have only two step sizes
for instance).

Also they often have many different interval
sizes for the two step intervals, three step intervals
and so on (i.e. many intervals in each interval class).

I think that the equal tempered scales often have a kind
of floating quality. So do the hexany and dekany etc,
- not at all the same kind of feeling, but I wonder if
liking of the harmonic symmetry of those is related to
a liking of the feeling of no preferred home key that you
often have in equal tempered scales? That's very
speculative of course.

Anyway I wonder if we can accept this as a matter of taste?
Some like porridge with salt, and some like it with sugar, and
neither is right or wrong. Some may like it both ways.

Also, if one is enjoying a tuning oneself then that's likely
to communicate itself to ones listeners, and it's quite possible
that they may like it even if it is one they wouldn't normally
use themselves. Anyway they are surely unlikely to enjoy it if you
don't like that particular tuning and feel miserable and
at a loss when trying to play in it.

So I think the most important thing is to find tunings that one
likes and enjoyes oneself, no matter what opinions or theories
there may be about it. For practical composing and music making
anyway.

Robert

--- In tuning@y..., "Robert Walker" <robertwalker@n...> wrote:

/tuning/topicId_38582.html#38582

> Anyway I wonder if we can accept this as a matter of taste?
> Some like porridge with salt, and some like it with sugar, and
> neither is right or wrong. Some may like it both ways.
>
> Also, if one is enjoying a tuning oneself then that's likely
> to communicate itself to ones listeners, and it's quite possible
> that they may like it even if it is one they wouldn't normally
> use themselves. Anyway they are surely unlikely to enjoy it if you
> don't like that particular tuning and feel miserable and
> at a loss when trying to play in it.
>
> So I think the most important thing is to find tunings that one
> likes and enjoyes oneself, no matter what opinions or theories
> there may be about it. For practical composing and music making
> anyway.
>
> Robert

***Very well put, Robert!

Joseph