CAUT

  • 1.  Serkin Temperament Audio Files

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-19-2014 12:55
    This message has been cross posted to the following Discussions: Concert Level Regulation and Preparation and CAUT .
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    For anyone interested in hearing what the "Serkin" temperament sounds like I have attached two MP3 files. They are both movements from Beethoven sonatas, ably played by one of our students. I chose the first one, the third movement from Sonata #15, for its chromatic use of thirds and sixths. It is very easy to hear the different character of the intervals. The second selection, third movement from sonata #12, has long sonorous chords that show off the temperament at its most interesting. I have kept this tuning on one of our performance instruments and I continue to get very positive feedback on it.



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    Ted Kidwell, RPT
    California State University, Sacramento
    Capistrano Hall, rm. 153
    6000 J Street
    Sacramento, CA 95819-6015
    916.278.6737

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  • 2.  RE: Serkin Temperament Audio Files

    Posted 05-19-2014 13:46
    Ted,

    I have listened to both audio files on my MacPro / Bose system.

    Would you be willing to share some particulars, such as name, model, serial number of piano, in original condition or altered, and the recording system used for these audio files, whether a miked piano or auditorium miked?

    Thank you for considering my queries, as it would help to better understand the sound I am hearing where I sit.

    Sincerely,

    Keith McGavern, RPT
    Shawnee, Oklahoma, USA
    kam544@allegiance.tv

    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Serkin Temperament Audio Files

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-19-2014 14:24
    Hi Keith,

    The piano is a '96 NY Steinway D with NY Steinway hammers and no modifications to the design of the piano. I am afraid I am out of my depth regarding the recording technique used. This is a compressed MP3 file so I am sure the full file sounds much richer. I just put it out there so tuners could hear the beat rates of various intervals in this unequal temperament. I think that is pretty clear, don't you?     

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    Ted Kidwell, RPT
    California State University, Sacramento
    Capistrano Hall, rm. 153
    6000 J Street
    Sacramento, CA 95819-6015
    916.278.6737

    -------------------------------------------






    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Serkin Temperament Audio Files

    Posted 05-19-2014 19:12
    Ted,

    Thank you for the information you did provide.

    Unfortunately, it was not that clear for me. I was distracted by the audio sound of the piano for some reason. Maybe it was the actual Serkin temperament itself, or the piano itself, or my desktop system, or a combination of those things.

    I just couldn't seem to get a handle because of several moments during the audio.

    I do hope I am the only odd bird, and that for all others, it was pretty clear concerning the beat rates  :-)

    Keith McGavern, RPT
    Shawnee, Oklahoma, USA
    kam544@allegiance.tv

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Serkin Temperament Audio Files

    Posted 05-20-2014 04:55
    I have been listening to those two audio files on my ElectroVoice Sentry 100A Studio Monitors. What a fabulous recording! I have been listening particularly for the beats mentioned but can only really find some outstandingly fast beat-rate in Sonata Nr.12 at 4"50. This was between the two notes Mid.C and the A flat lying 1/17th. below. I compared them to the same interval on my S&S which is comparatively slow - but the 15th. is faster. What are the bearings on the Serkin temperament? I would like to try it.   Michael (UK)

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    Michael Gamble
    semi retired
    Brighton
    01273813612
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Serkin Temperament Audio Files

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-20-2014 14:11
      |   view attached
    Hi Michael,

    Here is the information I was given for this temperament. I refer you to the discussions on this list over the last few months as to how and where this tuning came about.

    There are really no outstandingly fast beat rates. Only a very gentle favoring of some intervals with nothing you could call a wolf. When tuning, the different beat rates are glaring but in performance the overall effect is just to take the edge off of EQ.


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    Ted Kidwell, RPT
    California State University, Sacramento
    Capistrano Hall, rm. 153
    6000 J Street
    Sacramento, CA 95819-6015
    916.278.6737

    -------------------------------------------






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    1-8 comma modified.PDF   52 KB 1 version
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  • 7.  RE: Serkin Temperament Audio Files

    Member
    Posted 05-20-2014 16:05
      |   view attached
    Beats are indicated in the attached graph of the Serkin temperament. The beat rates of the M3s are the dark red numbers superimposed on the red columns, which represent the cents-expanded of the M3s. 

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    Jason Kanter
    Bellevue WA
    425-830-1561
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    Original Message