The year of the temperament

2013. I read about the hidden world (even to pianists who've been playing for decades) of piano tuning temperament a few years ago in the book "Grand Obsession" by Perri Knize. The concept of changing the sound of the instrument and pieces by small modifications in how one tunes (or mistunes) intervals is fascinating. 

The bug to research this only bit me recently, after years of frustration over the absence of a decent piano tuner in Delhi.

Over the next few months, I will try to experiment with the effect of different temperaments on my pianos (I am, a pretty amateur tuner, but practice makes perfect). The aim is to get a look into practical differences between Equal, Just, Regular and Irregular temperaments. And basically, whatever I can learn about different temperament tunings and their feel on the piano.

I will start experimenting with a Euro made Yamaha upright piano. One that I had recently installed in a small cafe I begun at the end of last year. Then I will try out the temperaments on a chinese built upright that I use for practice. Followed by (when I am confident enough) experimentation on my Steinway Model C grand piano.

I will try to make this as practical and simple to follow. To understand the mechanics and meaning of different temperaments and to understand exactly what goes on in each temperament (Pythagore, Young, Vallotti, Kirnberger etc) please read this really well written and informative post on temperaments. No point covering something someone else has already done really well. 

http://leware.net/temper/temper.htm

My attempt is to try some of these temperaments on the above mentioned pianos and post recordings of the same tunes using these, some classical, some jazz and to understand how temperaments practically affect piano tone.

I'm excited. I've ordered a full new set of tuning equipment (besides the tuning hammer, I was using homemade mutes etc) and for temperament tuning, I plan to use Strobe Tuner by Katsura Softwares coupled with a Lexicon interface and an AKG C1000 mike (Since I already own the equipment barring the software).

If this doesn't work, I'll have to pick up the Peterson 490S strobe tuner.

I'll begin with a few test tunings on the Yamaha tomorrow. The 5 people around the world who might actually be interested in this, I hope you manage to tune in!

I'm super excited!