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Meaning of "Well-Tempered" in Music

In music, the term "well-tempered" refers to a type of tempered tuning that allows for playing music in all major or minor keys without sounding perceptibly out of tune. The concept of well temperament originated in the 17th century and was further developed in the 18th century. It is often contrasted with other tuning systems, such as equal temperament and meantone temperament.

The term "well-tempered" is commonly associated with J.S. Bach's famous composition "Das wohltemperierte Klavier" (The Well-Tempered Clavier), which consists of two books of preludes and fugues in all major and minor keys. Bach's use of well temperament in this composition demonstrated the possibility of composing and performing music in various keys without encountering significant tuning issues.

Well-Tempered vs. Equal Temperament

Well temperament differs from equal temperament, which is the standard tuning system used in Western music today. In equal temperament, the octave is divided into 12 equal parts, resulting in each semitone being measured at 100 cents. This division allows for playing in any key, but it compromises the purity of certain intervals. On the other hand, well temperament divides the octave in a way that preserves the purity of certain intervals while still enabling music to be played in all keys.

It is important to note that Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier was not composed to promote equal temperament, as this system did not come into use until the 20th century. Bach's motivation was to demonstrate the feasibility of composing in well temperament and to showcase the varying key colors in well-tempered tuning as one progresses around the circle of fifths.

Significance of The Well-Tempered Clavier

The Well-Tempered Clavier holds significant importance in the history of music. It is a collection of two books of keyboard music, each containing 24 preludes and fugues. The composition showcases Bach's mastery of counterpoint and demonstrates the possibilities of composition and performance in various keys using well temperament. The work has been recorded by numerous renowned performers and continues to be studied and performed by musicians today.

Conclusion

In summary, "well-tempered" in music refers to a type of tempered tuning that allows for playing music in all major or minor keys without sounding perceptibly out of tune. J.S. Bach's composition "The Well-Tempered Clavier" exemplifies the use of well temperament and its significance in demonstrating the possibilities of composition and performance in different keys. Well temperament differs from equal temperament, which is the standard tuning system used in Western music today .

A term applied to an instrument that is voiced and tuned satisfactorily, with the pitches, tone, and timbre have the desired quality of sound.

Popular questions related to well-tempered

The compound adjective well-tempered in the title refers to the employment of a tuning system that would work equally well in all keys - a circumstance rare in Bach's day.

The Well-Tempered Clavier is a book of JS Bach compositions for keyboard instruments in each of the twelve major and twelve minor keys. The name refers to Bach's preferred tuning system, which made it possible to play (sort of) in tune in every key.

tuning and temperament, in music, the adjustment of one sound source, such as a voice or string, to produce a desired pitch in relation to a given pitch, and the modification of that tuning to lessen dissonance.

equal temperament, in music, a tuning system in which the octave is divided into 12 semitones of equal size.

The Well-Tempered Clavier is a set of preludes and fugues, that is, forty-eight short pieces in all twenty-four keys, major and minor.

adjective. A good-tempered person or animal is naturally friendly and pleasant and does not easily get angry or upset. He was a happy, good-tempered child.

Prelude in C-major, Well-Tempered Clavier, Bk. 1, BWV 846. In a way, this most simple and beautiful of Bach preludes is also one of the most accessible and easy to learn.

These works are also collectively known as The Well-Tempered Clavier, which as the name suggests is a collection of solo keyboard music composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. The 48 Preludes and Fugues are regarded as the most influential works which ultimately revolutionised western classical music.

Today, many musicians are taught that, historically, keyboards were tuned to play in one specific key and would have to be re-tuned to play in a different key. Then, someone came along and invented equal temperament, which would allow for keyboard music to flow freely from one key to another even within the same piece.

Because of the limitations of keyboard instruments, one way or another, a keyboard tuner has to “temper” some of the notes so that some scales sound the same. In equal temperament, all the scales average out the same, the distance between the notes are all the same.

In well temperament, perfectly in-tune intervals complement significantly out-of-tune intervals. In equal temperament, all intervals (save the octave) are slightly out of tune. The former system fosters variety and difference, while the latter preserves consistency and uniformity.

Someone who is bad-tempered is not very cheerful and gets angry easily . If someone is even-tempered , they are usually calm and do not easily get angry . A good-tempered person or animal is naturally friendly and pleasant and does not easily get angry or upset .

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