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Transposing (same fingering, different notes)
C-190 Portable Organ
r
17
Using different temperaments
Like all digital instruments, the C-190 relies on the
standard tuning system for western music, where the
distance (interval) between any two semitones of an
octave is the same. This is called “equal temperament”.
Not so long ago, however, other tunings were used for
classical western music. These tunings are characterized
by varying intervals between the semitones of an
octave. The C-190 allows you to select from among five
different tuning methods (“temperaments”):
(1) Hold down [0] while pressing one of the following
buttons:
See step (2) to specify the key of the selected temper-
ament.
Mean Tone: A partial compromise of the Just Major
tuning (purer tuning than “Equal”), created to make
transposition possible. As the intervals between two
neighboring semitones depends on their pitch, this
temperament may sound out of tune to untrained
ears.
Pythagorean: Developed in ancient Greece as a
method of tuning that resolved the ambiguity of
fourths and fifths. As a result, melodies sound
cleaner, while triads may appear to be flat.
Kirnberger: This temperament is relatively tolerant
towards transposition, and can be used to play in all
keys.
Werckmeister III: A combination of the Mean Tone
and Pythagorean tunings. This tuning can be used in
all keys.
Equal: With this tuning, the octave is divided into
twelve equal intervals. Regardless of the interval, very
little ambiguity is produced.
For the Mean Tone and Pythagorean temperaments,
you also need to specify the key in which you want to
play:
(2) Hold down the [0] button while pressing the key on
the keyboard that corresponds to the tonic of the
desired key.
When performing in ensemble with other instru-
ments, be aware that, depending on the key, there
may be some shifting of the pitch. The other instru-
ments should therefore also use the selected temper-
ament.
Note: When you play back a recorded song, it always uses the
last temperament you selected here.
Transposing (same fingering,
different notes)
You can have the C-190 sound in a different key while
still playing the same notes on the keyboard. That way,
even songs originally written in a difficult key with
many #/sharps or b/flats (i.e. many black keys), can be
played in a more convenient way. This is especially use-
ful when you are used to playing a given piece in one
key, while someone else prefers another key: just
change the TRANSPOSE setting and you’re there.
Note: The transposition remains in effect until you change it or
switch off the C-190. This setting cannot be saved.
• While holding down the [TRANSPOSE] button, press
the tonic (root) of the key to which you want to
transpose.
The [TRANSPOSE] button lights.
–OR–
• Hold down the [TRANSPOSE] button while selecting
the desired interval with the [DOWN] or [UP] button.
This is a littler trickier, because there is no visual
feedback. You therefore have to count the number of
presses. Each press corresponds to a semi-tone.
• To return to normal pitch, hold down the
[TRANSPOSE] button while pressing a C key (or
[DOWN] + [UP]). The [TRANSPOSE] button goes dark.
■Example: playing in C but sounding in E
If you want the E pitch to sound whenever you press
a C key, hold down the [TRANSPOSE] button and
press an E key.
Note: The transposition only applies to the notes you play on
the C-190’s keyboard or a PK-series pedal board. It does not
apply to note messages received via the MIDI IN connector, or
the notes played by the Recorder.
Button
combination
Temperament
[0]
+
[1]
Mean Tone
[0]
+
[2]
Pythagorean
[0]
+
[3]
Kirnberger
[0]
+
[4]
Werckmeister III
[0]
+
[M1/2]
Equal (default)
TRANSPOSE