Tuning and Temperament: A Historical Survey

by J. Murray Barbour

The demands of tuning (attaining the perfect scale) and temperament (the compromises necessary for composing in every key) have challenged musicians from the earliest civilizations onward. This guide surveys these longstanding problems, devoting a chapter to each principal theory and offering a running account of the complete history of tuning and temperament. Organized chronologically, the book features a helpful glossary and numerous illustrative tables, and it requires minimal background in music theory. This new reissue is currently the only edition in print of a much-quoted classic. 9 figures. 180 tables.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1951

Reviews

[Jordon Gyarmathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I dont want to sell this book short with four stars. The work that Barbour did with this book was miraculous, thoroughly researched and greatly insightful. The sources are cited healthily with great care and all topics in temperament are explained in great detail with figures and numbers. I love the citations and the reference list in the back. I have heard in a work by Jorgensen that some of this work was undermined by another tuner and I also noticed the whole book starts with the assumption that Equal Temperament is the ideal and goal temperament, devaluing all other tuning systems. I could use some more subjectivity in this reading. Overall very helpful for my studies.

[Frida Major · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this had a 3 star review and needed to make an account just for this reason.
This is a GREAT book.
There is so many history books and sources out there that doesn't dive deep enough into the letters and accounts of what actually happened, and here you have an outstandingly detailed book about the history of musical temperaments. Its not a light read for someone new to the theme, but if you have the surface level knowledge of the historical keyboard instruments, tuning and temperament systems, this is a great book to dive into for more information.

[Nathan · Rating 1 out of 5]

"requires minimal background in music theory"

yeah, right.