Using different temperaments

Like all digital instruments, the C-190 relies on the standard tuning system for western music, where the distance (interval) between any two semitones of an octave is the same. This is called “equal temperament”.

Not so long ago, however, other tunings were used for classical western music. These tunings are characterized by varying intervals between the semitones of an octave. The C-190 allows you to select from among five different tuning methods (“temperaments”):

(1)Hold down [0] while pressing one of the following buttons:

Button

Temperament

combination

 

[0]

+ [1]

Mean Tone

[0]

+ [2]

Pythagorean

[0]

+ [3]

Kirnberger

[0]

+ [4]

Werckmeister III

[0] + [M1/2]

Equal (default)

See step (2) to specify the key of the selected temper- ament.

Mean Tone: A partial compromise of the Just Major tuning (purer tuning than “Equal”), created to make transposition possible. As the intervals between two neighboring semitones depends on their pitch, this temperament may sound out of tune to untrained ears.

Pythagorean: Developed in ancient Greece as a method of tuning that resolved the ambiguity of fourths and fifths. As a result, melodies sound cleaner, while triads may appear to be flat.

Kirnberger: This temperament is relatively tolerant towards transposition, and can be used to play in all keys.

Werckmeister III: A combination of the Mean Tone and Pythagorean tunings. This tuning can be used in all keys.

Equal: With this tuning, the octave is divided into twelve equal intervals. Regardless of the interval, very little ambiguity is produced.

For the Mean Tone and Pythagorean temperaments, you also need to specify the key in which you want to play:

C-190 Portable Organ r

Transposing (same fingering, different notes)

(2)Hold down the [0] button while pressing the key on the keyboard that corresponds to the tonic of the desired key.

When performing in ensemble with other instru- ments, be aware that, depending on the key, there may be some shifting of the pitch. The other instru- ments should therefore also use the selected temper- ament.

Note: When you play back a recorded song, it always uses the last temperament you selected here.

Transposing (same fingering, different notes)

You can have the C-190 sound in a different key while still playing the same notes on the keyboard. That way, even songs originally written in a difficult key with many #/sharps or b/flats (i.e. many black keys), can be played in a more convenient way. This is especially useful when you are used to playing a given piece in one key, while someone else prefers another key: just change the TRANSPOSE setting and you’re there.

Note: The transposition remains in effect until you change it or switch off the C-190. This setting cannot be saved.

•While holding down the [TRANSPOSE] button, press the tonic (root) of the key to which you want to transpose.

TRANSPOSE

The [TRANSPOSE] button lights.

–OR–

•Hold down the [TRANSPOSE] button while selecting the desired interval with the [DOWN] or [UP] button. This is a littler trickier, because there is no visual feedback. You therefore have to count the number of presses. Each press corresponds to a semi-tone.

•To return to normal pitch, hold down the [TRANSPOSE] button while pressing a C key (or

[DOWN] + [UP]). The [TRANSPOSE] button goes dark.

■Example: playing in C but sounding in E

If you want the E pitch to sound whenever you press a C key, hold down the [TRANSPOSE] button and press an E key.

Note: The transposition only applies to the notes you play on the C-190’s keyboard or a PK-series pedal board. It does not apply to note messages received via the MIDI IN connector, or the notes played by the Recorder.

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