Zarlino’s Harpsichord: A Contribution to the (Pre)History of Equal Temperament

Abstract

This paper deals with the tuning question as it is discussed in Gioseffo Zarlino’s principal musical-theoretical treatise, Istitutioni harmoniche (1558). First, Zarlino’s tuning system in vocal music (the syntonic diatonic) is presented; then, its shortcomings are discussed; and finally, its adjustment (temperament) for the use in instrumental music is explained.

Keywords

• gioseffo zarlino, music theory, renaissance, tuning question