12 WT (Rameau)

For a general introduction to European historical tunings and these presets, please visit Introduction to European historical tunings and temperaments.

About this tuning

12-tone well temperament Rameau (1726). The French well temperaments (temperament ordinaire) included some beating fifthsPitches a fifth apart have a 2:3 frequency ratio (in just intonation) or a difference of 700 cents (in 12 tone equal temperament).Visit the link to learn more that are tuned larger than a 2:3 ratio, to allow more of the quarter-comma meantone fifths to be included. The fifths between B♭ and B are each narrowed by 1/4 quintal (Syntonic) commaA comma is a small difference in pitch between the same interval in different tuning systems.Visit the link to learn more. B-F♯ and F♯-C♯ are tuned as 2:3 ratios, C♯-G♯ is narrowed by 1/6 comma (here the quintal comma is also used), and the remaining note D♯|E♭ is positioned so that E♭-B♭ and G♯-D♯ are both larger than a 2:3 ratio by the same amount.

Learning more

• Klaus Lang: Auf Wohlklangswellen durch der Töne Meer‍