bounced mess #5

--- In tuning@yahoogroups.com, Carl Lumma <ekin@l...> wrote:

/tuning/topicId_45986.html#45994

> >Are there any extant cultures that accept the 7-limit in theory
> >and/or practice?
>
> Only Barbershop, so far as I know.
>
> >What about the 11-limit?
>
> None that I know of.
>
> >There's probably a cut-off point where the music becomes
> >incomprehensible in a folk tradition,
>
> What's a folk tradition?
>
> >especially when the system begins generating numerous intervals
> >that could potentially compete for the same function (e.g.,
> >subminor vs. minor third).
>
> This assumes the diatonic scale.
>
> >If the 'people' can't find the notes intuitively, the tradition
> >will always remain hyperspecialized and won't infiltrate the
> >general artistic culture.
>
> That's why recordings help. A microtonal *keyboard instrument*,
> or other suitably-powerful polyphonic instrument would be a great
> help.
>
> -Carl

***I'm going to say something maybe a little heretical here, but I
actually think that all the mechanism (headphones, etc.) for the
Twining work *adds* to the piece! :) It's like some kind of mad
technical experiment that somehow adds to the excitement. The
technical accomplishment is part of the *thrill* of the work, and
seeing all the performers on stage in headsets looking like space
cadets adds to the allure for me, personally... :)

J. Pehrson