Definition

Noun: - A system of musical tuning: Equal temperament is the specific division of the musical octave into twelve intervals (semitones) that are precisely equal in frequency ratio. This system allows instruments to play in all keys with consistent, though slightly compromised, intonation. It is the standard tuning system for modern Western keyboard instruments like pianos.

Usage

• Primary Use: Describing the standard tuning system in Western music.
  • Most modern pianos are tuned to equal temperament.
  • The adoption of equal temperament solved many problems of playing in different keys on fixed-pitch instruments.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Context: While now standard, equal temperament was a historical development that replaced other tuning systems (like meantone temperament) which favored certain keys over others.
  • Bach's "The Well-Tempered Clavier" is often associated with the rise of equal temperament, though it may have promoted a different well-tempered system.
• Technical Discussion: In music theory and acoustics, the term is used to discuss the mathematical basis of tuning.
  • In equal temperament, the ratio of the frequencies of any two adjacent semitones is the twelfth root of two.

Variants and Related Words

• Temperament (n): The general term for any system of tuning that adjusts (tempers) the pure intervals of just intonation.
• Equal-tempered (adj): The adjective form describing an instrument or scale tuned to this system.
  • An equal-tempered scale.
• Well temperament (n): A different historical system of tuning where all keys are playable but not all semitones are equal.

Synonyms

• 12-tone equal temperament (12-TET): The full technical name.
• Standard tuning (in the context of modern keyboard and fretted instruments).

Related Phrases and Concepts

• Just intonation: A tuning system based on pure, simple frequency ratios, often contrasted with equal temperament.
• Cent: A unit of measure for musical intervals; one hundred cents equal one equal-tempered semitone.
• Octave: The interval whose frequency ratio is 2:1, divided into 12 parts in equal temperament.

Noun

1. the division of the scale based on an octave that is divided into twelve exactly equal semitones
   • equal temperament is the system commonly used in keyboard instruments