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THE WELL-TEMPERED CLAVIER: BACH TUNING
Some people think equal temperament is a Bad Thing because every single note between the octave notes in any key is slightly dissonant. Others think equal temperament is a Good Thing for two main reasons:
- It solves the dang tuning problem, already; and
- Every single note between the octave notes in any key is slightly dissonant—and therefore music played on equallytempered instruments sounds more colourful and interesting than it would if all the notes were exactly in tune.
Obviously, J. S. Bach agreed with the latter view. Nobody had a keener ear. Bach would surely have been able to easily hear the out-of-tuneness of equal temperament. Yet he famously composed a masterwork called The Well-tempered Clavier, 24 preludes, one in each major and minor key, and 24 fugues, one in each major and minor key.