Well Tempered Tuning explained by Bach

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Well Tempered Tuning explained for everyone by the great master Johann Sebastian Bach himself!

Many thanks to David De La Hunty for lending his voice!

Many thanks to:

[bobsteiner]

The chords in space are simply gorgeous. Herr Bach's English is also remarkable for a man who never ventured outside of Germany....

[spockofdune]

well done...The part where the chords and the image behind underline the emotion is pure gold.

[alexandruciobanu]

Bravo , Mr.Peter ! Through you I had the opportunity to participate live in a harmony lesson taught by the incomparable Master Bach ! Thank you !

[IreneAchernar]

Bach was the Isaac Newton of music, an utterly brilliant explorer of the expanse of tonality.

[Gonzol]

A number of years ago, I stumbled upon some internet information about Bradley Lehman's idea that the curlicues at the head of Bach's "Wohltemperirte Clavier" (as Bach spelled it) title page represent his own unique tuning temperament. I became quite convinced. Since then, I have moved to a new area--where Mr. Lehman lives! I have met him! Wonderful bit of research. I am so glad you used it!

(Bach's is not an equal temperament, which has been universally adopted for only a little over a century now, in which all the half steps are equal. [There are lots of different temperaments.] In the Bach-Lehman temperament, some half steps are slightly bigger than others, but all 12 half steps are coordinated to maximize the consonances in all keys, while yet preserving each key's individual character. In our modern equal temperament--which even Rameau favored some--all the perfect fifths are slightly small and all equally out of tune; it's ugly. In the Bach-Lehman temperament, all the fifths are much more in tune, quite more beautiful.)

[Pratman]

Omg this episode is just awesome as ever.

[inhorama]

Astonishing ! I'm so glad I came across your channel, amazing work !

[leonida]

Amazing work! I just discovered this channel and I’m amazed

[berndp]

Bach is actually and absolutely right. A "perfect" tone distancing isn't always right or "harmonic". Even if it is mathematically defined by 12th root of 2 which is representing a "perfect half tone" frequency step (factor) but that doesn't actually match in every chord. Which only sound "harmonic" with no differentials in the beat they create if being mixed into a chord (otherwise will also create a beat inbetween the beats of every single tone participating in a chord, making it sound somehow "not right", slightly dissonant). If the beat (resulting mix or interference) frequency is equal among all of the notes in a chord then it sounds harmonic, clean, means no beat differentials being apparent resp. these then are also in an harmonic distance. That is meant with the tempering of a chord or keyboard (you also can do this on a string-based instrument while you play, otherwise an instrument with fixed tuning would have to be tuned either for a "major" or "minor" sound principal or characteristic). Because the required shift in the base tones adjustment (the bias) for proper beat equalization is different for major and minor tunes. While lately there is nothing feasible to be "ideal" concerning the tuning of instruments with single-tone bars and keys, so you have to decide how to tune it, how it should "fee" in the ear. For clean intervals, tempered, beat equalized, or even for a family of tunes in major or minor. While on electronic instruments there is possibility to use programmed patterns - autotuned intervals - when specific chords are played instead of single tones. ALso, a very slow "harmonic beat" can actually put some musical mood into a chord. Because "pure perfection" sounds "genderless", cold, like Bach says.

[gingervytis]

I had my grand tuned to a well tempered coleman 11. It definitely sounds different across the keys, with more "color" as the sharps increase.

[MariSá-rá]

Hi Mr Peter, for sure this great talent will be more recognised.

[MitchBoucherComposer]

Wow! Great use of the 'Chromatic' fantasy BWV 903 (sorry if that's spoilers). I really like your channel a lot!

[jaikee]

Just found your fantastic channel! You certainly deserve more views, Sir!

[cellsaga]

So good . The best lessons. Thank you for your work ?

[misterguy]

Werckmeister III (modified a bit to bring it closer to JI) is my fav tuning for my keyboards.

[Apauling]

Was trying to get my head around how keyboards have changed over time (with more history in my background than music theory) and let me tell you I read the wiki page on keyboard temperament and it just wasn't getting it, but man it clicked by the time he plays the g#. Thanks!

[canadiansoul]

THANKS FROM BRAZIL :)

I'M IN MY 4h year in the Piano and I always try to learn about this, this is the best way to explain :D

[RussellOCallaghan-bn]

JS Bach was the greatest composer ever.

[Fildoggy]

I cant believe bach knew about machines. Very good video btw I never understood this concept until now

[simonkormendy]

The thing I noticed most about JS Bach's compositions is that all the notes he chose sound like they belong together, or that they were meant to be together by some divine will, Bach himself once said that he composed music for the greater glory of God, he was a devout Lutheran Christian.