Keyboard — Classical Period
The Classical period (roughly 1750-1820) saw keyboard tuning in transition — well temperaments were still common, but equal temperament was gaining ground as composers demanded access to all 24 major and minor keys without tonal hierarchy. Haydn, Mozart, and early Beethoven piano works can benefit from historically-informed temperament choices.
Recommended Temperaments
Practical Guidance
Practical guidance: For Mozart and early Haydn keyboard works, Vallotti or Kirnberger III provide appropriate key color while keeping all keys in tune. For later Beethoven or Schubert, equal temperament or Neidhardt temperaments are more appropriate — these composers increasingly exploited remote modulations that meantone and strong well temperaments handle poorly. The fortepiano (period instrument) sounds most authentic with a well temperament; modern piano performance on equal temperament is standard.
Instruments for This Context
Tune with the Right Temperament — Get Tunable.
Tunable supports all 5 recommended temperaments for Keyboard — Classical Period — and 16 tuning systems total. See exact Hz values in real time as you play.
