Between Frets

Foundations

Tuning Systems

Holdrian commas, 53-TET, Pythagorean tuning, and the gap between theory and practiced intonation.

  1. 01Holdrian Commas and 53-TET: The Mathematics of Ottoman TuningHow the 53-tone equal temperament system and Holdrian commas became the theoretical language of Turkish makam intonation.
  2. 02Tuning the Oud and Cümbüş: Families, Not a StandardA practical guide to tuning the oud and cümbüş: the Turkish and Arabic tuning families, the courses-and-bam system, how to tune by ear, and why the internet's most popular cümbüş tuning has no traceable source.

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