MUSICAL TUNING Meaning and
Definition
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Musical tuning refers to the process of adjusting the pitch of musical notes within an organized and standardized system. It involves establishing and maintaining a specific relationship between the frequencies of different musical tones, so that they can be combined harmonically to create pleasant sounding music.
In most traditional Western music, tuning is based on the equal tempered scale, which divides the octave into twelve equal intervals. This means that the frequency ratio between adjacent notes is kept constant, resulting in a system that allows musicians to easily transpose between different keys. However, there are other tuning systems, such as just intonation or Pythagorean tuning, which have been used in different historical periods and cultural contexts.
The main goal of musical tuning is to achieve a sense of consonance and harmony, where the different frequencies blend harmoniously with one another. When notes are out of tune, they may clash or produce unpleasant dissonant sounds. Therefore, musicians and instrument builders employ various methods to ensure accurate tuning, including adjusting string tension, length, or thickness, or using specific techniques for tuning wind or electronic instruments.
Accurate musical tuning is crucial for ensemble playing, as it ensures that different instruments or voices can effectively blend together and play in tune. Additionally, tuning plays a significant role in ear training, as it helps musicians develop a keen sense of relative pitch and enhance their ability to differentiate between different pitches.
Overall, musical tuning is a fundamental aspect of music theory and performance, shaping the way we perceive and appreciate the beautiful world of sound and harmony.
Etymology of MUSICAL TUNING
The word "tuning" comes from the Old English word "tunian", which means "to make a musical sound". It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "tunǭną" which means "to sound" or "to resound". The term "musical" comes from the Latin word "musica", which is derived from the Greek word "mousikē" meaning "art of the Muses". Therefore, the etymology of the phrase "musical tuning" can be traced back to Old English and Proto-Germanic roots, as well as Latin and Greek influences.
