temperament
1
8.9
- noun
- /ˈtɛmpərəmənt/
- Specialized
:
temperamento
- The musician explained how the temperament affects the tuning of the piano across different keys.
- equal temperament
- Four Temperaments
Examples
-
Edwin Denby wrote that ballets like Balanchine's The Four Temperaments are "an active part of intellectual life in the United States."
Academic text (2000) -
Re: David Pinnegar tells us a little more about the temperament he uses
Blog text (17) -
This became known as "equal temperament," and sharps and flats became "enharmonic equivalents."
Academic text (1997) -
Their performances were closer to equal temperament than just intonation, which Kopiez attributed to long-term intonation practice with equal temperament.
Academic text (2015) -
As for the mathematics of vibrations - the physics of sound - our music throws it overboard in the inspired cheating called equal temperament, the pretense that C sharp is the same as D flat, which enables the composer to roam freely among the keys.
Academic text (1996) -
In classical music, the concept of temperament is crucial for achieving harmony within various scales.
-
Composers often consider temperament to ensure their pieces maintain the correct intervals when played in different tonalities.
Synonyms
7
3.5
Adjusting an instrument or device so it makes the correct musical note
Compounds
1
6.4
A way of feeling and behaving that is creative, sensitive, and shows feelings easily
- Specialized
A way of tuning that divides the octave into twelve equal steps so every key sounds similar
How Even
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Temperament in music also comes from the Latin temperare, meaning 'to adjust' or 'to mix'. It names the careful 'mix' or small changes musicians make to the notes so an instrument can play well in many keys, which is why musical temperament is a system of tuning.