Resources and projects based on Fred Sturm's "A Clear and Practical Introduction to Temperament History"
Complete integrated version of all 9 parts, enhanced with metadata guidance, pattern matching insights, and cross-references.
Browse Fred's original 9-part series one chapter at a time. Published in PTJ, 2010-2011.
Complete summary of all 9 parts with key points, tables, and historical context.
Uninterrupted reading of the complete series in a single document.
Quick navigation to all 9 individual chapter files.
Original proposal for integrating the 9-part series into a comprehensive article.
Summary of completed integration work and what was accomplished.
Comprehensive proposal for scripts, data structures, APIs, and UI enhancements based on Fred's work.
Quick reference guide to top opportunities and implementation priorities.
Making sense of temperament history. Problems with Barbour and Jorgensen. The four/five patterns.
1/4 comma meantone - Pietro Aron (1523). Pure major thirds, the wolf fifth, historical dominance.
1/5 to 1/6 comma meantone. Wider thirds, less narrow fifths. Split keys and solutions.
French Ordinaire, Italian developments (Vallotti), Schlick (1511), Werckmeister 1698.
Werckmeister III vs. practical instructions. Neidhardt, Sorge, Marpurg. Kirnberger's eccentric proposal.
Historical from 16th century, not 20th. Early advocates, German adoption, French transition, Italian resistance.
Out of phase with continent (30+ years behind). Explains Jorgensen's English bias and misconceptions.
Critical analysis of Jorgensen's work. English bias, equal-beating modifications, flawed methodology.
Choosing temperaments by period. Bach controversy. Key color evidence. Perceptual thresholds.
Projects marked as high priority based on Fred's concerns and the integrated article work.
Page: labs_fred_demo.php
Purpose: Interactive demonstration of pattern groups, historical status, and collections.
Status: ✅ Live and working
Script: scripts/identify_pattern_groups.py
API: api_pattern_groups.php
Purpose: Automate Fred's "7 names → 3 patterns" finding. Identify duplicate patterns with different names.
Status: ✅ Script and API complete, tested
Script: scripts/classify_historical_status.py
API: api_historical_status.php
Purpose: Separate historically-used from theoretical-only temperaments. Addresses Fred's #1 concern.
Status: ✅ Script and API complete, tested
File: scripts/extend_database_schema.sql
Fields: historical_status, jorgensen_modified, pattern_group_id, geographic_region, period_range
Purpose: Foundation for all metadata-based features.
Status: ✅ Schema designed, ready for migration
Endpoint: api_collections.php
Purpose: Serve three audience-specific collections (Historical/Modern/Theoretical).
Status: ✅ API complete, tested
Script: scripts/detect_jorgensen_modifications.py
Purpose: Standalone script for Jorgensen detection (currently integrated in classify_historical_status.py).
Status: Design complete, implementation pending
An AI created TSE, another tried to disprove it, then Fred Sturm brought musicological rigor.
Christian Friedrich Daniel Schubart's essay on the human voice and key characteristics.
Explore temperament patterns. Will be enhanced with pattern groups view (planned).
Fred's questions and concerns that inspired this integration work.