This is kind of rambling and idiosyncratic, but it turned into a decent discussion of temperment and tuning systems, and the associated design compromises.
Startup Task XXX : The western 12 tone music scale is limited and out of tune. Many of the reasons for it being useful (instrument construction, notational complexity) are no longer show stoppers. Anyone who can create software that makes it practical and intuitive to create good-sounding music using natural 'just' intervals or/and alternative scales could shake up the entire world of music. 'Scala' is a nice tool but it doesn't count. Bonus points for being able to automatically convert existing 12-tone music to just intervals in a way that makes it sound better.
The mathematical approach to music has one endgame, and it isn't pretty.<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LACCAF04wSs" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LACCAF04wSs</a>
> "You lying cunt" is an eloquent affirmation of love.<p>Why am I suddenly reminded of Alan Sokal?<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sokal_affair" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sokal_affair</a>
It's so hard to understand this topic when I just can't hear it. I've tried to understand equal temperament, but I just don't hear the difference.<p>I'm not tone deaf as far as I know (I can tell the difference between different tones), and I enjoy music, but I can't hear when something is out of tune.<p>Or that 12 tone commercial that someone posted - the comments say it's funny - but what's funny about it? Presumably I'm missing something massive, but what?