I have no clue how I discovered this book, but it has changed how I see and hear and think about music. Harmonic Secrets of Arabic Music Scales: Fine Tuning the Maqams highlights the difference between the almost universal Western Equal Temperament tuning and the previous tuning method called Just Intonation.
Equal Temperament was popularized by a British piano manufacturer in the mid 19th century, and his pianos spread far and wide during British imperialism. Our Western world has grown up with equal temperament tuning, conformity in schools, standardization of many things, and thoroughly domesticated it seems. "Mathieu says that just intonation is like the pure child that lives inside every equal-tempered adult." (p.21) I find hope that harmony still resides within. If only we can align with that harmony.
I grew up with live classical piano music played about 3 hours a day on a piano tuned with Equal Temperament. "Many people who listen carefully to piano or guitar chords feel frustration and confusion. The system of equal temperament creates music which, no matter in which key you play, is slightly out of tune! The notes actually clash and work to cancel each other out." (p.19) After reading this, I wonder if my confusion growing up was connected to the music I heard all the time.
It's funny we hear something and accept it as pleasing for so many reasons. My mind thinks of so many other things as well, such as "art", fiat money, or a government system that robs and steals but does not allow its citizens to act this way. Also, I wonder... is our world out of tune because we listen to out of tune music?
What I found most interesting was "Sonic Geometry" on YouTube, that showed the just intonation tuning system as one of perfect harmony and utilizing the natural and perfect ratios and golden mean numbers of Pythagoras and other great scientists. If we find true harmony in music and nature, can we find true harmony with one another without losing our uniqueness as individuals?
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