equal temperaments

Equal temperament is a tuning system where the octave is divided into 12 equal parts called semitones, making each interval the same size. This allows musicians to play in all keys with consistent sound quality, facilitating versatile performance and composition. Unlike just intonation, which uses pure intervals based on simple ratios, equal temperament slightly adjusts the tuning of notes to fit all keys evenly. This system underpins most modern Western music, balancing harmonic flexibility with acceptable consonance across different keys and harmonic contexts.