Harpsichord Tuning

The harpsichord tuning takes place at Cammerton pitch (today, A= 415 Hz). The octave for laying the bearings is tuned starting on the upper C, proceeding C down to F (5th), F up to Bb (4th), Bb down Eb (5th), Eb up to Ab/G# (4th), G# down to C# (5th), C# up to F# (4th), F# up to B (4th), B down to E (5th), E up to A (4th), A down to D (5th), D up to G (4th), G down to lower C (5th).  Temper 5ths narrow and 4ths wide.

The spiral is to be interpreted as follows:

• The three large loops at the left indicate three intervals that beat slowly (actually, once per second in the one-line octave). Note, the beat rate doubles for each octave shift upwards. 
• The next three large loops without knots indicate three pure intervals without beats. Note, the interval remains pure for each octave shift upwards. 
• The next five large loops enclosing double knots indicate five intervals that beat at twice the tempo of the first three loops.

The bearings can be set by tuning a couple of octaves up from the one-line octave. Remember to double the beat rates for each octave shift upwards.

Note beats do not need to be counted: rather it is the tempo of the beat rate that is learnt.  There are just two tempos to master, one double the other.