User talk:Mousemambo/Scala tuning system

Initial Author's Thoughts and Intent

This developing article is specifically about the Scala tuning system, but a certain amount of general tuning-related information can slip in, particularly definitions without which the rest of the writing might be unclear. However, I'd prefer to use Tuning system or Tuning methods (a draft that might be renamed) for any more extensive writing on tuning systems in general.

I have carefully chosen terminology that I believe is the least ambiguous and more informative, particularly when considering people new to tuning system and tuning methods. There are many different ways the same conceptual objects have been named, and also a lot of meaning-creep where an incorrect term gets used by enough people that the terms are thought by some to be synonyms. This damages clarity and good communication, and one of the roles of a writing like this is pedagogical, to establish (or re-establish) clarity. Therefore I have chosen one term to use consistently for each concept, then specifically list synonymous words or phrases once, and where there is confusion make a statement about what terms are NOT synonyms despite their usage (no matter how common). Ultimately, this is also important for freeing people's minds from their 12edo conditioning, since that's where a lot of confusion gets generated.

Some other common areas of confusion are the distinctions between a tuning system vs. a scale, the notes of a tuning system vs. MIDI notes, and a tonic vs. a tuning base. Therefore I've included brief sections to clarity these. However, as suggested above, I'd probably prefer to see these in Tuning system or Tuning methods. They might get moved out before this document gets moved to the Main space (if it does).

Please don't edit the Scala tuning system document directly while it's being developed in my User space. Post questions, comments, and suggestions here instead, and remember to sign your posting by appending four tilde marks like this ~~~~ after your comment please. Thanks! Mousemambo (talk) 20:11, 11 August 2023 (UTC)