Baroque Keyboard

Harpsichords, clavichords, and Baroque organs sounded very different from modern keyboards — not just in timbre but in tuning. Meantone temperaments and well temperaments were the standard, and every key had a distinctive harmonic character. Choosing the right temperament for Baroque keyboard repertoire is essential to authentic historically-informed performance.

Recommended Temperaments

Quarter-Comma Meantone The standard keyboard temperament 1500-1700. Pure 5:4 major thirds in the common keys (C, G, D, F, Bb, Eb). Essential for Frescobaldi, Byrd, Sweelinck, and early Bach. Werckmeister III The most widely-used Baroque well temperament. All 24 keys are usable; keys near C major are purer, distant keys more tense. Published 1691. Kirnberger III A well temperament favoring pure intervals in C, G, D major. Kirnberger was a student of Bach — possibly reflects Bachian tuning practice. Bach/Lehman Reconstructed from the ornamental title page of the Well-Tempered Clavier (Bradley Lehman, 2005). Gives each of the 24 preludes and fugues a unique tonal character. Vallotti A moderate well temperament (1754) balancing near-pure common keys with acceptable distant keys. Commonly used for Baroque Italian keyboard repertoire. Sixth-Comma Meantone A transitional meantone with wider key access than quarter-comma. Suits mid-Baroque repertoire that ventures into sharper keys.

Practical Guidance

Practical guidance: Quarter-comma meantone is the correct choice for most harpsichord and organ repertoire before 1700. Its pure major thirds (5:4 ratio) give the Renaissance and early Baroque sound its characteristic sweetness. After 1700, well temperaments — particularly Werckmeister III, Kirnberger III, or Bach/Lehman — provide access to all 24 keys while preserving key color. The Bach/Lehman temperament is specifically designed for the Well-Tempered Clavier and gives each prelude/fugue a unique harmonic character. Avoid equal temperament for Baroque repertoire — it erases the key-specific color that composers exploited.

Instruments for This Context

PianoSoprano RecorderAlto RecorderTenor RecorderBass RecorderFluteOboe

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Related Pages

All Temperaments Early MusicKeyboard — Classical Note Frequencies Tone Generator