Via Arto:
a.. Eumatius [the student]: ... Also, how does it happen that you do not
use frets that are spaced by unusual inequality of intervals, and some other
little frets that take away the sharpness from the major third and tenth, as
I have seen used by some universally known, skilful men, from whom I
understand that both are exceedingly necessary and useful.
b.. Fronimo [the teacher]: [Opposes strongly with many words. Explains the
reason why they do that:] ... They will respond (if they know) that singing
and playing, particularly on the harpsichord and organ, the Tone is divided
into two unequal parts and consequently is found as a major and a minor
semitone. It is therefore reasonable, even necessary to use it on the Lute
also. [After referencing to ancient 'distributions of strings' Fronimo
continues his ideas:] ... but the unlearned ... [cannot] play or sing other
intervals than those of they have cognizance. Not only that, but they
believe there is nothing good apart from their knowledge and conviction. Now
you must know that the distribution on the lute is one thing, that on
keyboard instrument another, and singing is different from both; that is,
the tones and semitones are of different measurements. ... Their variations
cause the diversity of the affetti. [Fronimo goes on explaining the use of
same frets for different purposes, sometimes you would need major sometimes
minor semitones.]
c.. Fronimo(page 162): ... Now I come to the matter of tastini [little
frets], which lately some people seek to introduce in order to remove some
of their sharpness from the thirds and major tenths (as they try to persuade
those who are more foolish than they). [Then Fronimo refers to Galileo's
Dialogo della antica e della moderna musica.] ... the Tones and the major
and minor Thirds have the same measure in all places, on the strings and
between the frets. [Then he points out that those using the tastini do not
know much about theory, they just want to hear 'marvels'.]
RT
----- Original Message -----
From: "howard posner" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Lute Net" <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, November 12, 2007 2:19 PM
Subject: [LUTE] Re: Double Meantone ............
On Nov 12, 2007, at 2:36 AM, LGS-Europe wrote:
Galiliei disliking tastini shows there were about.
Galilei wrote not only that he disliked tastini, but that they were
used by some of the best players. He has his student ask:
"Also, how does it happen that you do not use frets that are spaced
by unusual inequality of intervals, and some other little frets that
take away the sharpness from the major third and tenth, as I have
seen used by some universally known, skilful men, from whom I
understand that both are exceedingly necessary and useful."
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