Just intonation

Just intonation is a type very precise of musical tuning. Notes in a series are spaced apart by ratios of small whole numbers multiplied by the frequency of the Fundamental note (aka first harmonic). This differs from equal temperament because the intervals between each note are not constant. Musicians who rely on close harmonies prefer to use just intonation because the sound is much more stable. Perhaps computers and electronic make it easier to achieve these sounds, when traditional instruments are not always calibrated to be so precise.

 

 Sources: 

Harmonic Series. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.scottopus.org/topicharmonicseriesSS.htm

Just Intonation. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_intonation

Just Intonation vs. Equal Temperament. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhZpvGSPx6w&feature=youtube_gdata_player