Equal Temperament
From TANGOWIKI-TITAF
Equal Temperament
Tuning System Musical Tuning System Semitone Chromatic Scale
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.