Donxello: Created page with "= Equal Temperament = Category:Music Theory Has topic type::Tuning System Instance of::Musical Tuning System Related concept::Semitone Used in::Chromatic Scale {{#set: |Definition=Equal temperament is a tuning system in which the octave is divided into twelve equal parts (semitones), enabling consistent interval spacing across keys. }} '''Equal temperament''' is the most common tuning system in Western music today. In this system, the octave is div..."

2025-05-14T20:21:15Z

Created page with "= Equal Temperament = Category:Music Theory Has topic type::Tuning System Instance of::Musical Tuning System Related concept::Semitone Used in::Chromatic Scale {{#set: |Definition=Equal temperament is a tuning system in which the octave is divided into twelve equal parts (semitones), enabling consistent interval spacing across keys. }} '''Equal temperament''' is the most common tuning system in Western music today. In this system, the octave is div..."

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= Equal Temperament =
[[Category:Music Theory]]
[[Has topic type::Tuning System]]
[[Instance of::Musical Tuning System]]
[[Related concept::Semitone]]
[[Used in::Chromatic Scale]]

{{#set:
|Definition=Equal temperament is a tuning system in which the octave is divided into twelve equal parts (semitones), enabling consistent interval spacing across keys.
}}

'''Equal temperament''' is the most common tuning system in Western music today. In this system, the octave is divided into **twelve equal semitones**, allowing instruments to play in any key with minimal tuning discrepancies.

This standardization is essential for fixed-pitch instruments like the piano and for modern harmony.

== Features ==
* Twelve semitones per octave
* Each pitch is spaced by the same frequency ratio (the twelfth root of 2)
* Enables key modulation and transposition without retuning

== Historical Context ==
Equal temperament became widely adopted in the 18th and 19th centuries, replacing earlier systems like **meantone temperament**, which favored certain keys.

== See also ==
* [[Semitone]]
* [[Chromatic Scale]]
* [[Tuning Systems]]

Equal Temperament - Revision history