Posted by Chris R on March 09, 2004 at 13:33:41:
In Reply to: Re: Double-flat (bb) posted by Gus Pratt on March 08, 2004 at 23:49:12:
Bbb and A natural aren't the same note. They are only the same when using equal temperament tuning which is what most keyboard instruments use. This is where all the half steps are separated by a "common frequency multiple". In band and orchestras they use just temperament which is what you were alluding to. How many times have we heard in rehearsal that the thirds need to be flatted a bit and the fifths raised slightly? Once this is done the chord "locks in". I think we do this in order to compensate for the fact most instruments are based on the equal temperament tuning. The problem with just tuning is that it needs to change for every scale. So, a Bbb major scale and an A major scale are fingered the same but the pitches are different because they have different names and just temperament. Yes, you are right that the context of a piece is what governs accidentals and intonation. This site covers what my rambling was trying to get to...
http://www.phy.mtu.edu/~suits/scales.html
Here's an interesting sight that discusses the different temperament types...
http://pages.globetrotter.net/roule/temper.htm
Chris