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If I understand correctly, when you only play in a specific key, just intonation is more exact than equal temperament. Therefore I would like to how to indicate on a score that a piece should be played with the former. Is there a specific notation for that?

I am especially interested in piano but I guess this is instrument-independent.

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  • No, I don't know of a way besides simply using text to state your preference, like "This piece is intended to be played only in quarter-comma meantone."
    – Andy Bonner
    Jan 6 at 15:26
  • Oh, and actually there's a lot more to understand than "more exact." Different temperaments are definitely different; whether they're preferable is subjective, and carries cultural baggage (including a few centuries of equal temperament). By the way, unless it's very important to you, insisting that the piano be re-tuned for the piece might seriously limit how often it's performed!
    – Andy Bonner
    Jan 6 at 15:28
  • @AndyBonner For sure, by "exact" I just meant "closer to the physical definition of harmony" but the choice is ultimately subjective. I use a digital keyboard (can't afford a real one) but I guess this is to take into account for the future. Thanks :)
    – user90036
    Jan 6 at 16:24
  • This persistent myth is just that, a myth. Just intonation is not "closer to the physical definition of harmony" if you confine yourself to playing in a single key; it is only true for a subset of chords in a single key. Even if you spend your entire life playing in C major you're going to want to temper your keyboard.
    – phoog
    Jan 7 at 1:15
  • ... lest the fifths of your ii and V/V chords sound like this: en.xen.wiki/w/40/27
    – phoog
    Jan 7 at 10:15

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