suhre@trwrba.UUCP (05/16/84)
I believe that the perceived difference in key signatures
is primarily caused by the tempered scale. There is also
a slight additional effect caused by the fact that the
overtones (harmonics) vary slightly from note to note.
(This applies primarily to the piano, organ, and any other
instrument where the player cannot adjust the pitch himself).
For example, a piece played on the piano in F sharp and F major
will sound markedly different in the two keys, far beyond what
could be explained just from the
difference in the mechanical structure of the piano as the
notes vary.
Obviously, there are a "discontinuity" where the piano changes
from one string to two, and two strings to three.
Maurice
{decvax,sdcrdcf,hplabs,ucbvax}!trwrb!suhre