THE CURRENT RELEVANCE OF PYTHAGOREAN TUNING

Abstract

The identification of a mathematical reason for the definition of frequencies and musical notes can be considered the main legacy of Pythagoreanism for the area of music. This mathematical base constituted the central element of the discussion that permeated the development of tuning systems from ancient times to today. The debate attracted the participation of astronomers, philosophers, mathematicians and musicians such as Aristoxenus, Ptolemy, Euclid, Boétius, Galilei, Descartes, Newton and Alexander Ellis, all in search of solutions for the definition of a functional tuning system for performance on keyboard, strings, woodwinds and human voice instruments. In this context, the relevance of discussing the current tuning system proposed by Pythagoras for contemporary achievement emerges.