This is an experiment to show the difference in sound between a major chord (root, third, fifth) in 12 tone equal temperament (12 TET for short) and just intonation (JI, pure intervals corresponding to JI referred to as Just).

12 TET consists of 12 notes per octave that are logarithmically spaced equally. This result in the flexibility to to play in all keys but with only passable harmonies, particularly on harmonically rich instruments like distorted guitar or the saw synth used here.

JI used pure harmonies based on natural ratio which results in better harmony on some chords and in some keys at the expense of having some chords in that key and most other keys become very dissonant and unusable.

For more information, check the internet. This is less an explanation for those that are unfamiliar and more of an audio example for those that are familiar with these tuning systems.

Here is a summary of what is happening:

-0:03 -- audio starts -- three saw wave oscillators tuned in unison playing C

-0:08 -- I temporarily disable the second oscillator -- results in volume drop

-0:13-0:18 -- Oscillator 3 is tuned up 7 semitones so it is a fifth above C, which is G -- notice slight vibrato/wah sound (known in audio as beating)

-0:20-0:26 -- Oscillator 3 is fine tuned in cents -- switches through several different values to illustrate dissonance of ill-tuned fifths -- notice increased beating sounds -- before settling at +2 cents, the closest approximation to the true perfect fifth of about 701.95 cents -- note almost complete lack of beating over the next 8 seconds

-0:35 -- Oscillator 2 is turned back on resulting in increase in volume

-0:37-0:42 -- Oscillator 2 turned up 4 semitones to E -- one third above C --
creating a Cmajor chord -- note significant beating

-0:47-0:53 -- Oscillator 2 fine tuned in cents -- fine tuning is varied to show varying levels of dissonance before settling on -14 cents,the closest approximate to the 386.31 cents of a Just third -- note almost complete lack of beating

-0:53-1:07 -- quick progressions with C, D, F, and G chords -- it should be noted that while all chords contain a Just third and Just 5th, the root notes of the individual chords are spaced in equal tempered intervals

-1:07-1:15 - I tuned Oscillators 2 and 3 back to +/- 0 cents to create 12 TET major chords for comparison -- note beating

-1:15 -- end audio

12 TET Vs JI (read description)

This is a short early 90s neo-tradional/honky-tonk revival style kickoff/tag lick on pedal steel.

Neo-Trad Tag Lick

Practicing playing in minor keys.  Pedal steel clichés and classic licks tend to lean major.

Noodle in a Minor Key

Steel guitar cover of the classic Bob Dylan tune.

Don't Think Twice, It's All Right

Cold, Cold Heart

Freelance musician, producer, and audio engineer.  I produce hip-hop beats and am available for session work and one-on-one lessons.

Primary Instruments:
--pedal/lap steel guitar
--five string banjo
--Irish Tenor banjo
--electric guitar
--mandolin
--keyboard synth

Favorite Genres:
--honky-tonk country
--progressive bluegrass
--Irish tradional
--folk/viking metal
--funeral doom metal
--NYC hip-hop
--Mongolian traditional
--Arabic tradtional
--Turkish tradional

Contact:
kristen.pedal.steel@gmail.com

Kristen Vespera