Temperament
A tuning system that determines how the twelve pitches within an octave are spaced.
Category
pitch
Origin
Latin
Length
179 words · 1 min read
About Temperament
Temperament addresses a fundamental mathematical problem: pure intervals derived from the harmonic series cannot all be perfectly in tune simultaneously across every key. Different temperament systems resolve this by distributing small tuning compromises in various ways.
More pitch terms
Enharmonic Equivalent
View all pitchterms →Two notes that sound the same pitch but are written with different letter names, such as F-sharp and G-flat.
FrequencyThe number of sound-wave vibrations per second, measured in hertz, that determines how high or low a pitch sounds.
FundamentalThe lowest frequency in a harmonic series, perceived as the main pitch of a note.
RisonamentoA rarely used Italian term for the sustained resonance produced by sympathetic vibration between strings
ScaleAn ordered series of pitches ascending or descending by step.
Synonyms
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v1 · 10/04/2026Browse all terms →