Talks to Watch

jacob collier tunes the piano

3.3M views · Jul 15, 2021 · 0:52 · 2 HN recommenders · 3 mentions · discussed 2021–2026

A one-minute clip of Jacob Collier tuning a piano, remarking that it is not in tune at all. It touches on his views on equal temperament and tuning.

Why Hacker News points people here: Used as an example in music theory and tuning discussions of continuous-pitch thinking beyond equal temperament.

“Jacob Collier has a good example of this[1] (I'm a huge fan).”HN comment, 2022

What Hacker News said 3

RecommendskwakjaFeb 2022

“Jacob Collier has a good example of this[1] (I'm a huge fan).”

Example of continuous-pitch tuning by Jacob Collier

Full comment

> On continuous pitch instruments (e.g. violin, voice), this is entirely possible to do Jacob Collier has a good example of this[1] (I'm a huge fan). Separately, I've previously heard this referred to as "equal temperament" tuning which makes me wonder what led to this difference in wording. [1]: this video

in “Music theory for nerds (2016)” · view on HN
RecommendswilliamdcltJun 2026

“I struggle to conceive being able to hear the difference, but _singing_ it entirely blows my mind”

Singing between A440 and A400 demonstrates tuning differences

Full comment

> adjust between A440 and A400 Someone shared this recently: this video I struggle to conceive being able to hear the difference, but _singing_ it entirely blows my mind

in “Show HN: Teach your kids absolute (perfect) pitch” · view on HN
Cites itsrcreighAug 2021

“Jacob Collier has referred to Equal Temperament as a "hoax”

Jacob Collier calls equal temperament a hoax while tuning piano

Full comment

Ever really loved a classical piano song? No? Maybe you just don't like the controversial new way we've been tuning pianos for the last ~200 years. Check out the 1/4 comma meantone version of Mozart Fantasie KV397 [1] which you can compare to equal temperament. (Please note this piece was unfinished, and the final section is believed to have been written by someone else.) My secret love is Chopin Ballade No. 4 Op. 52 in unequal temperament [2]. Last year this video had ~4k views. I may be responsible for 1k and it's now ~8k views. You can compare a good ET version Krystian Zimmerman [3]. Jacob Collier has referred to Equal Temperament as a "hoax" [4] [1]: link [2]: link [3]: link [4]: this video

in “Apple acquires classical music streaming service Primephonic” · view on HN