EL TEMPLE DE SOLER: CARACTERÍSTICAS Y REALIZACIÓN PRÁCTICA

Abstract

In a handwritting autograph treatise, Antonio Soler develops a tuning system (in Spanish, temple) for keyboard instruments, which is based in mathematic calculations. At the same time, he invents two devices which supply immediately the respective notes, including also instructions for its construction. The result is an iden tical to quarter-comma meantone temperament for naturals, with accidentals arranged at the same distance from adjacent naturals. The article begins with a study and reflec tion on Spanish terms temple and templar, used up to 19th century instead of present This content downloaded from 157.55.39.88 on Thu, 21 Jul 2016 05:08:35 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 394 MIGUEL BERNAL RIPOLL day words temperamento (temperament) and temperar (to temper, to tune), and a study on meantone temperaments used in Spain. Soler's temperament features are subse cuently studied, as well as magnitude of consequential intervals, frecuency of respec tive notes, deviation in cents from equal temperament, and a diagram showing the cir cle of fifths. A procedure for puting it in practice without the aid of a device -that is to say, ?by ear?is also proposed. Correctness of Soler calculations is also verified.