释义 |
mean tone, ˈmeantone Music. [mean a.2] a. (As two words.) The averaged or standard interval (half-way between a greater and less major second) which is the basis of the system of tuning in vogue before the introduction of ‘equal temperament’. b. attrib. or adj. (= mesotonic), as in meantone interval, mean tone system, mean tone temperament.
1799Young in Phil. Trans. XC. 150 The system of mean tones, the sistema participato of the old Italian writers, still frequently used in tuning organs. 1884J. Lecky in Grove Dict. Mus. IV. 72 It will be convenient to take equal temperament as the standard of comparison, and to measure the meantone intervals by the number of equal Semitones they contain. Ibid., In the meantone system the interval G{sharp}—E♭ is sharper than the perfect Fifth by nearly one-third of a Semitone. |