The Development of the Equal Temperament Scale

Evolution or Radical Change?

ABSTRACT 

This thesis examines the developments that preceded the acceptance of the equal temperament scale as a standard tuning for fixed pitch instruments.  The question to be answered is whether the change to equal temperament scale was part of a natural progression over time, or a discovery that made radical changes to the accepted tuning of the day.  The first section of the thesis explains and gives examples of the connections between mathematics and pitch.   Next, the history of tuning from prehistoric times to eighteenth century Europe is outlined.  The final sections explain and interpret the analysis done for this study. 

Specifically answering the question for this thesis, equal temperament was a radical change in tuning.  The analysis also showed that every tuning could be described as a radical change from its predecessor because no trends were evident.  Regardless, favoring a tonality system in the eighteenth century and keeping it as a standard for over two hundred years is a radical change, considering the amount of variability throughout the previous three centuries.

This study only provides evidence that the transition to equal temperament was not a natural one, but was driven by necessity.  Future studies are needed by mathematicians and musicologists to assess the impact of equal temperament on the human interpretation of intervals and harmony.  Having been conditioned to equal temperament for two centuries, it is questionable if a change to our current tuning method for fixed pitch instruments is desired.

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Last modified: November 19, 2005