7.2 bundles

© M.Zollner 2004

7-11

7.2.3 The Buzz-Feiten-System

howard as Feiten describes in his U.S. Patent No. 6642442 (uspto.gov) a system to

tempered tuning for federal picked music instruments. Due to small deviations from the

this is a traditional atmosphere should

extraordinarily pleasing intonation

to be achieved.

In accordance with feiten have guitar maker until 2002 deliberately overlooked that guitars

also voted correctly must be:

One very important aspect of acoustic guitars that has

been overlooked is proper intonation".

Since the Guitar builder from Old Europe is

have a different opinion - but not always is the guitarist with the outcome of his

striving for a balanced mood satisfied. Well, here comes "Buzz" Feiten:

In his patent description feiten explained that the guitars after

pythagorean scale

bun-

Diert. We would like to say "yes", and then - depending on the temperament - still a SAR-

Kast European "American" perhaps, but add closet. First is the be-

Handle Pythagorean explains, in order to avoid misunderstandings: "

The Phytagorean Scale

is based upon the fourth to the fifth, and the octave interval ratios

." known: Pythagorean.

Only: what has to do with the guitar? In Europe, in particular in old Europe

♣

, the

since the 18. Century predominantly equal temperament, not Pythagorean. But

let us explain further Feiten: "

To determine fret positions, guitar builders use a math

matical formula based on the work of Pythagoras, called the rule of 18 (the number used is

actually 17.817). This is the distance from the groove to the first fret.

" may the present

work against so many errors in a paragraph is immune to think as the author unwill-

Kurlich. So: 18and he-rule (rule of 18) is generated for the federal positions a geometric

sequence, i.e. an equal temperament. This does not go to Pythagoras, whose

mood - How Feiten even explained - to Quinten, Quarts and octave is based. What

with "

This is the distance..."

Could be meant also remains in the dark Greek Ge-

History. The (not more) cited the following remarks of the patent then explain

but understandable and correct what the 18er-rule states. We maintain: Howard as

feiten sees as the reason for the lack of voice accuracy by applying the

18He rule preserved Pythagorean

(Quinten) mood. This is wrong, has the patent

auditor (the

american

patent examiner) but apparently not disturbed.

Further o-Ton Feiten:

"Prior to the mid 1600's, pianos had evolved from a 'just' intonation

to 'equal temper ment'; i.e., tuning the instrument so that all the notes were math matic ally

equidistant from each other. ... It was only partially successful and resulted in the entire

keyboard sounding slightly out of tune, especially in the upper and lower registry. In the

mid- 1600's, at enormous breakthrough occurred in piano technology. The 'well tempered'

Keyboard what conc ived

." Let us to "pure" tuning (Just intonation) J. M. Barbour

comments:

"There is no such thing as just intonation, but rather, many different just

intonation; of thesis, the best is that which comes closest to the Pythagorean tuning".

In the

middle Ages was actually required to act, and "Equal Temperament", i.e. same-

Floating-equal temperament, was a step forward that the modulations across the

all fifth circle allowed. "Equal Temperament" but must not with Feitens "well

tempered tuning" be confused! H. As Different Feiten namely between "equal

temperament" and "well-tempered". "Well tempered" is a specially modified, formerly

dc floating equal temperament.

♣

The anthropologist Donald Rumsfeld specified this (otherwise tend to be geographically to understand) Difference

by his subjective, differential diagnostic considerations of the philosopher, Joschka Fischer to

an assessment of the origin of European and American culture have been added.