Early Music (HIP)

Historically informed performance (HIP) of Medieval, Renaissance, and early Baroque repertoire requires understanding the tuning systems that were actually in use. From Pythagorean organum to Renaissance meantone, each era had a characteristic sound that equal temperament cannot replicate. This page covers the temperament choices for authentic early music performance.

Recommended Temperaments

Pythagorean Tuning The standard from ancient Greece through the Medieval period. Pure 3:2 fifths are the primary consonance; used for plainchant, Gregorian chant, Notre Dame polyphony, and Ars Nova. Just Intonation (Major) The Renaissance ideal for vocal polyphony — championed by Zarlino (1558). Natural target for Palestrina, Lassus, Josquin, and the Franco-Flemish school. Quarter-Comma Meantone The standard keyboard and lute temperament of the Renaissance and early Baroque (c.1500-1700). Pure major thirds for Frescobaldi, Byrd, Dowland, and early Monteverdi. Third-Comma Meantone A meantone variant used alongside quarter-comma. Provides purer minor thirds at the cost of slightly less pure major thirds — occasionally preferred for music with prominent minor thirds. Werckmeister III The first practical well temperament (1691) — opens up all 24 keys for late Baroque German repertoire including J.S. Bach.

Practical Guidance

Practical guidance: Research the approximate date and region of your repertoire before choosing a temperament. Medieval plainchant and early polyphony (pre-1450): use Pythagorean tuning. Renaissance vocal polyphony (Palestrina, Lassus, Josquin, c.1450-1600): just intonation for voices, quarter-comma meantone for keyboard continuo. Baroque (1600-1750): quarter-comma meantone for Italian and French repertoire; well temperaments (Werckmeister III, Kirnberger III) for German repertoire. Period editions and urtext scores often include tuning notes — consult these alongside the cent data in Tunable.

Instruments for This Context

Soprano RecorderAlto RecorderTenor RecorderBass RecorderOboeFluteViolinVoice

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Tunable supports all 5 recommended temperaments for Early Music (HIP) — and 16 tuning systems total. See exact Hz values in real time as you play.

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Related Pages

All Temperaments Keyboard — BaroqueChoral & Vocal Note Frequencies Tone Generator