Much has been discussed lately about the huge progress of Artificial Intelligence and its potential dangers, especially after ChatGPT became active. Anybody can sign-up into ChatGPT and pose questions. I just did and posed THREE questions: will transcribe my dialogs with ChatGPT in separate posts below.
Question about the Baroque Mordent.
User: Will test ChatGPT with questions about history of Western music
ChatGPT: Sure! Feel free to ask me questions about the history of Western music.
User: When should a Baroque mordent be played before the beat?
ChatGPT: In Baroque music, a mordent is typically played on the beat or directly before it, depending on the specific context and stylistic interpretation. However, itâs worth noting that there can be variations in performance practices and different interpretations by musicians.
User: All the scholars (except the late F. Neumann) agree that a Baroque mordent is played always on the beat.
ChatGPT: I apologize for the incorrect statement in my previous response. You are correct that most scholars agree that a Baroque mordent is played on the beat. The mordent is a quick alternation between the main note and the note above or below it, typically played as a rapid ornamentation. Thank you for pointing out the error, and I appreciate your correction.
Question about the Toccata and Fugue.
User: Who composed the Organ Toccata and Fugue BWV565?
ChatGPT: The Organ Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565, is a famous musical composition commonly attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach, a prominent Baroque composer. However, there have been debates among scholars regarding its authorship, and some suggest that it might have been composed by another musician from the same era.
User: Correct, although all the alternative musicians suggested happen to have been students of Johann Sebastian Bach.
ChatGPT: You are correct. Among the alternative musicians suggested as possible composers of the Organ Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565, were some of Johann Sebastian Bachâs students, such as Johann Peter Kellner and Johann Ludwig Krebs. These speculations are based on stylistic similarities and historical context, but the composition is commonly attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach.
Attribution of a Louis Couperin piece to his brother Charles.
User: A few years ago G. Wilson wrote that a harpsichord piece by Louis Couperin is an arrangement of a Rigaudon from Lullyâs Acis et GalathĂ©e from 1686, a quarter century after Louis death, and that therefore the author is Louis Couperinâs brother Charles.
However, it is easy to prove that Charles could not possibly have been the author of the piece. Do you know why?
ChatGPT. Yes, I can provide an explanation. The reason Charles Couperin could not have been the author of the harpsichord piece in question is that Charles himself died in 1661, several years before Lullyâs opera âAcis et GalathĂ©eâ was even composed in 1686. Therefore, it is not possible for Charles Couperin to have arranged a Rigaudon from an opera that was created after his death. The attribution of the arrangement to Louis Couperin remains more plausible based on the historical timeline.
(The answer is not completely correct, but is impressive anyway).
A last one!
User: In baroque keyboard technique, when was Baroque fingering abandoned in favour of modern fingering?
ChatGPT: The transition from Baroque fingering to modern fingering in keyboard technique occurred gradually over the course of the 18th and 19th centuries. It is challenging to pinpoint an exact moment when this transition was complete or when Baroque fingering was entirely abandoned.
As musical styles and keyboard instruments evolved, composers and performers began exploring new techniques and expanding the range of expression. The development of the piano in the late 18th century, with its increased dynamic capabilities and different touch, played a role in shaping the transition to modern fingering.
Prominent pianists and pedagogues of the time, such as Muzio Clementi and Carl Czerny, contributed to the development of modern fingerings and the establishment of a more standardized approach to keyboard technique. By the 19th century, with the rise of the Romantic era, modern fingering had become more prevalent.
Itâs worth noting that even today, performers may choose to use historically informed fingerings when playing Baroque music on period instruments or when aiming for an authentic interpretation.
Re the last question: it is easy to prove that in this case ChatGPT is not correct. The transition to modern fingering was completed by 1750, and after that date (e.g. CPE Bach 1753) Baroque fingering was a seldom-used alternative.
This said, the response by ChatGPT correctly reflects common present-day knowledge among piano players and teachers.
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Last last! 
User: In harpsichord stringing, what is the difference between red brass and yellow brass?
ChatGPT: In harpsichord stringing, the terms âred brassâ and âyellow brassâ refer to different alloys used for the strings.
Yellow brass, also known as cartridge brass or 70/30 brass, is an alloy primarily composed of copper (around 70%) and zinc (around 30%). It is a commonly used alloy in harpsichord stringing and produces a bright and clear sound.
Red brass, also known as tombac or 80/20 brass, is an alloy composed of copper (around 80%) and zinc (around 20%). It contains a higher copper content compared to yellow brass. Red brass strings produce a warmer and more mellow tone compared to yellow brass.
The choice between red brass and yellow brass for harpsichord stringing depends on the desired tonal characteristics and the preferences of the performer or instrument builder. Some harpsichords may use a combination of both alloys to achieve a balanced and versatile sound across the instrumentâs range.
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Wow. Iâd heard about ChatGPT, of course, but never used it. I wouldnât have been surprised if it came up with good answers about Covid or the war in Ukraine (well-known contemporary events), but responding to questions about obscure (to most people) topics in Baroque music is impressive and a little scary. No, the answers arenât perfect, but still surprisingly good. Thanks for doing this test, Claudio.
I tried to find out whether ChatGPT knew the names of the authors of well-known modern day books on Baroque performance. Here it failed miserably. It had never heard of Patrizio Barbieri or Frederick Neumann, for example.
If these topics were on the syllabus for an examination such as taken by final year high school students (e.g. A Levels in the UK), the answers would be what I would expect from a fairly good student. Not enough detail for degree level, however.
David
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Very creepy, albeit thrilling.
My Question:
Was musical phrasing different in Mozartâs time?
ChatGPT Answer:
Yes, musical phrasing in Mozartâs time was different compared to contemporary practices. During the Classical period, which is when Mozart composed, musical phrasing was generally more restrained and balanced. It followed the principles of the periodâs aesthetic ideals, characterized by clarity, elegance, and symmetry.
Phrasing in Mozartâs music often involved clear and concise articulation, with a focus on melodic lines and the interplay between different voices. Phrases were typically structured in balanced units and often followed traditional phrase lengths and patterns. Dynamics and expressive markings were more subtle and limited compared to the Romantic era, with a greater emphasis on clarity and naturalness.
Additionally, performers during Mozartâs time had more freedom to apply their own interpretations of phrasing within the framework of the composerâs intentions. Ornamentation and embellishments were often improvised or added by the performer, enhancing the expressiveness of the music.
It is important to note that while general stylistic conventions existed during Mozartâs time, individual composers and performers also had their own unique approaches to phrasing, which could result in variations and personal interpretations within the broader stylistic framework.
I had it hallucinate (that appears to be the technical term) an organ maker. I was reading Felix Friedrichâs book on the organ maker Heinrich Gottfried Trost and came across some dispositions with âMixtur ellichtâ or âellichâ; also there was a âhalb ellich.â Couldnât find âellichâ in any on-line or real-world dictionary, and a google search confirmed the term in several dispositions but wasnât otherwise helpful. So I asked ChatGPT.
ME: in Organ terminology, what is an âellich Mixturâ?
ChatGPT: In organ terminology, an âEllich Mixturâ (also spelled âEllitch Mixtureâ or âEllitchâs Mixtureâ) refers to a specific type of mixture stop found in pipe organs.
The Ellich Mixtur is a bright and powerful mixture stop that typically consists of several ranks of small-scale, high-pitched pipes that are usually arranged in a tiered formation. The number of ranks can vary, but it is typically between four and six.
The Ellich Mixtur is named after its inventor, Joseph Ellich, who was an Austrian organ builder in the 19th century. Ellich was known for his innovative designs, and the Ellich Mixtur was one of his most famous creations.
Overall, the Ellich Mixtur is a versatile stop that can add brilliance and color to an organâs sound. It is often used in combination with other stops to create a fuller, richer tone.
ME: But there are Ellich Mixturen from the 18th century.
ChatGPT: You are correct, and I apologize for my mistake. The Ellich Mixtur is indeed not limited to the 19th century, but can be found in organs dating back to the 18th century as well.
The Ellich Mixtur is named after its inventor, Joseph Ellich, who was an Austrian organ builder in the 18th century. Ellich was known for his innovative designs, and the Ellich Mixtur was one of his most famous creations.
The Ellich Mixtur typically consists of several ranks of small-scale, high-pitched pipes arranged in a tiered formation, and it is a bright and powerful mixture stop that can add brilliance and color to an organâs sound. It is often used in combination with other stops to create a fuller, richer tone.
Thank you for bringing this to my attention, and I apologize for any confusion my previous response may have caused.
Thank you for sharing that information from Jakob Adlungâs writing. The passage you quoted translates to â2 feet or one ell, which is the length of the largest pipe,â referring to the length of the pipes in an Ellich Mixtur.
In organ building, the length of a pipe determines its pitch. Longer pipes produce lower notes, while shorter pipes produce higher notes. Therefore, an Ellich Mixtur with pipes that are 2 feet long or one ell (which is roughly equivalent to 1.143 meters or 3.75 feet) would produce high-pitched notes.
Itâs worth noting that the specific measurements of an Ellich Mixtur can vary depending on the organ builder and the context in which the stop is used. However, Adlungâs description provides some insight into the general characteristics of this type of mixture stop in the 18th century.
ME (after another Google search): A google search for âJoseph Ellichâ and âOrganâ or âOrgelâ returns no hits.
ChatGPT: (3 paragraphs of "Iâm just a large language model and donât have any further information)
I then thought of another Google search to try, came up with the answer via Google Books, and reported to ChatGPT.
ME: According to Adlung, 1768, an ellich Mixtur is â2 FuĂ oder eine Elle, welches der LĂ€nge der gröĂten Pfeife ist.â
ChatGPT: Thank you for sharing that information from Jakob Adlungâs writing. The passage you quoted translates to â2 feet or one ell, which is the length of the largest pipe,â referring to the length of the pipes in an Ellich Mixtur.
In organ building, the length of a pipe determines its pitch. Longer pipes produce lower notes, while shorter pipes produce higher notes. Therefore, an Ellich Mixtur with pipes that are 2 feet long or one ell (which is roughly equivalent to 1.143 meters or 3.75 feet) would produce high-pitched notes.
Itâs worth noting that the specific measurements of an Ellich Mixtur can vary depending on the organ builder and the context in which the stop is used. However, Adlungâs description provides some insight into the general characteristics of this type of mixture stop in the 18th century.
Google, who is developing its own AI system, says that the biggest problem itâs having is that the AI is far too confident in its answers.
Hereâs my conversation with ChatGPT.
Rather impressive until we get to the paragraphs Iâve emphasized!
ES
Me-
What is an appropriate tuning for Domenico Scarlattiâs music played on harpsichord?
ChatGPT-
When tuning a harpsichord for Domenico Scarlattiâs music, it is customary to use a temperament known as âmean-tone temperament.â Mean-tone temperament was commonly employed during Scarlattiâs time and is well-suited for his music. Here are the basic principles of mean-tone temperament:
- Pure major thirds: In mean-tone temperament, the major thirds are tuned pure or as close to pure as possible. This means that the ratio of the frequencies of the notes in a major third interval should ideally be 5:4.
- Narrow fifths: The fifths are tuned narrower than they would be in equal temperament. This deviation from pure fifths is done to create a more consonant sound in certain keys, particularly those with many sharps or flats.
- Wolf fifth: In mean-tone temperament, there is a âwolfâ fifth, which refers to a fifth that is deliberately made dissonant to accommodate the pure major thirds. The wolf fifth is usually located between two keys, typically GâŻ/Aâ and EâŻ/F, or occasionally other keys depending on the temperament used.
It is important to note that the exact details of mean-tone temperament can vary, as there were different variations and modifications used during Scarlattiâs time. Some harpsichordists may use slightly different tunings based on their personal preferences or the specific characteristics of their instrument.
If you are not familiar with tuning a harpsichord yourself, it is advisable to consult a professional harpsichord tuner who has experience with historical temperaments. They will be able to ensure that your instrument is properly tuned for the repertoire of Domenico Scarlatti and other Baroque composers.
So I ask-
What modifications of mean-tone temperament can make it more suitable for Scarlattiâs music?
ChatGPT-
While mean-tone temperament is generally appropriate for Scarlattiâs music, some modifications can be made to better accommodate the unique harmonic and melodic characteristics of his compositions. These modifications aim to reduce the limitations of mean-tone temperament, particularly the wolf fifth and the restricted key modulation possibilities. Here are a few modifications that can be considered:
- Splitting the wolf fifth: The wolf fifth, which is typically found between GâŻ/Aâ and EâŻ/F, [???] can be divided into two smaller intervals. By splitting the wolf fifth, the dissonance is distributed more evenly across multiple keys, allowing for better modulation possibilities. Commonly, the wolf fifth is split into two smaller intervals: GâŻ/Aâ-E and EâŻ/F-CâŻ/Dâ.
- Equalizing certain intervals: In some cases, specific intervals can be modified to better suit Scarlattiâs harmonic language. For example, the major third FâŻ-AâŻ/Bâ can be adjusted slightly to improve its consonance.
- Tempering certain intervals: To enhance modulation possibilities, selected intervals can be further tempered. This modification involves making specific intervals more flexible and less rigidly based on pure ratios. The degree of tempering can vary depending on the temperament used, and it requires careful judgment to maintain the desired balance between consonance and dissonance.
Itâs worth noting that these modifications are not universally agreed upon, and there is no single âcorrectâ way to modify mean-tone temperament for Scarlattiâs music. Different harpsichordists and scholars may have their own interpretations and preferences when it comes to these modifications. The choice of temperament modifications can also depend on the specific harpsichord being used, as different instruments may have unique characteristics that influence the desired temperament adjustments.
Ultimately, it is advisable to consult with an experienced harpsichord tuner or a scholar specializing in historical temperaments to discuss the specific modifications that would best suit your instrument and your interpretation of Scarlattiâs music.
Me-
Why not use Valottiâs temperament for Scarlatti?
ChatGPT
Valottiâs temperament is indeed an alternative temperament that can be used for Scarlattiâs music on the harpsichord. It is a temperament that offers certain advantages and may be preferred by some musicians for its specific characteristics. Hereâs an overview of Valottiâs temperament and its suitability for Scarlattiâs music:
Valottiâs temperament, named after the Italian composer and organist Francesco Antonio Vallotti, is a well-tempered system that aims to achieve more consistent consonance across all keys compared to mean-tone temperament. It achieves this by carefully adjusting the size of various intervals.
In Valottiâs temperament, the fifths are narrower than in equal temperament, and the major thirds are slightly wider. [???] This modification results in a more uniform sound across different keys, allowing for smoother modulations and reducing the need for key-specific adjustments. [Mistaking parts for the whole story]
Valottiâs temperament can be a good choice for Scarlattiâs music because it provides a more versatile harmonic palette. Scarlattiâs compositions often involve frequent modulations and unconventional harmonic progressions. The flexibility of Valottiâs temperament allows for these modulations to be executed with greater ease and accuracy, providing a more coherent and expressive interpretation of Scarlattiâs music.
However, itâs important to note that the choice of temperament is a matter of personal preference and interpretation. Some musicians and scholars might still prefer mean-tone temperament or other historical temperaments for Scarlattiâs music, as they believe it provides a more authentic or appropriate sound for the Baroque period.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to use Valottiâs temperament or another temperament for Scarlattiâs music on the harpsichord depends on the specific characteristics of the instrument, the preferences of the performer, and the desired interpretive approach. It is recommended to consult with a knowledgeable harpsichord tuner or a specialist in historical temperaments to explore the possibilities and make an informed decision based on your instrument and musical goals.
I am not too impressed. Chatgptâs language is good, but the source of its knowledge is unknown and not controllable.
It is known chatgpt has invented sources when requested what sources was its knowledge based on. This has been my own experience when I asked if there is any link between Robert Damiensâ story and modern Constitutionalism. Itâs a matter I know fairly well, and chatgpt invented the âphilosophesâ reaction to Damiensâ execution. I asked for sources and was responded with a fake citation of Voltaire and DâAlembert. Some legal mistakes were done as well.
So: where chatgpt takes its knowledge from? If we donât know, we just canât be sure informations are right or wrong or plainly manipulated.
More, we canât be sure itâs a true AI. True AI can learn from its own errors. An experiment could be one asks things and corrects chatgpt; another one asks the same thing, he should get corrected responses (not the responses got by the first man). But then again: who can assure the âcorrectionâ is correct? AI should learn from itself, not by human input.
And this is what ârealâ AI does. Only, not for humanistic knowledge. Technology, programming, ok, but not literature or music or history. Chatgpt seems to me only a good way to gather informations from who knows where and to put them in a single document. Convenient, sure.
Back to harpsichords. Claudio posted a response by chatgpt on yellow and red brass strings. It is wrong, no? We donât use red and yellow brass to get variety in sound. We use them to comply with the shortening of the scaling. Again: where did it take such a wrong information? How to correct it?
AI shouldnât learn from humans, it should learn from itself.
Dom
Hi Ed, I note that ChatGPT forgets to mention the existing research on the temperament for D. Scarlatti (duly quoted in my UT book of course): Sankey and Sethares 1997 and Ogeil 2007. It also fails to clarify that a Mersenne-Chaumont modification of meantone will do for the first 18 Essercizi, but not for later Sonatas, requiring a truly circular temperament.
Voicing opinions is important, and ChatGPT does this well, but fails to substantiate sources and details.
Hi Domenico, I fully agree on the non-verifiable assertions of ChatGPT.
And indeed its response about brass strings was wrong!
Do me a favour, please clarify the matter onto ChatGPT: just write âIn harpsichord stringing red brass is ideal for the extreme brass because it provides larger mass and less tensile strength, and these are good to compensate for the shortening of the scalingâ. Tomorrow I will re-ask the question and see whether it has âlearnedâ!
Avagoodnite!
Clau
Just asked: what is a Schnitger mixture
ChatGPT: A Schnitger mixture refers to a specific type of pipe organ stop or mixture stop that was commonly used in organs built by the renowned German organ builder Arp Schnitger (1648-1719) and his workshop. Arp Schnitger was one of the most prominent organ builders of the Baroque period.
A mixture stop in an organ consists of multiple ranks of pipes that produce pitches that are higher than the individual stops of the organ. The Schnitger mixture is known for its distinct and powerful sound. It typically contains several ranks of pipes, often including principal, octave, and fifteenth pitches, which combine to create a bright and brilliant tonal effect.
The specific construction and voicing of a Schnitger mixture can vary depending on the particular organ and its specifications. However, in general, a Schnitger mixture is designed to provide a fiery and sparkling character to the sound of the organ, enhancing its capabilities for playing Baroque music with clarity and brilliance. The Schnitger mixture is highly regarded and sought after by organists and enthusiasts for its unique tonal qualities.
This is fine in qualitative terms, but a Schnitger mixture has some properties that can be explained in more technical terms, and this is missing from the response.
On âhalbellichâ -I had never heard the words ellich, ellicht, halbellich before, and am relieved to see my educated guess is confirmed by Adelung. âhalbellichâ means half-an-ell long (ie. a 1-foot mixture, 2-foot being the norm). The suffix â-ichâ or â-ichtâ is the 18th-c. equivalent of modern German â-igâ (or the English suffix â-yâ as in âhungryâ)- it turns a noun into its associated adjective.
ChatGPT has good waffling strategies for papering over the cracks, in a vaguely authoritative way. I liked the phrase âAdlungâs description provides some insight into the general characteristics of this type of mixture stop in the 18th centuryâ. As neat a summary as you could hope to get, but of what?
Interesting response. Itâs like a high-school kid trying to fake an answer. Iâm far from alone in noticing this. Of course, itâs not âthinkingâ; it just knows which words are likely to go with which other words, a fancy version of text prediction on our phones, plus it has a very well-developed sense of syntax (in English, at least; it fails badly with some other languages). Anyway, a few comments. True, but it said the exact same thing about the mixtures by the Viennese maker Joseph Ellich, who was a hallucination. This is just the kind of thing that is said about mixtures, I guess. The word âtypicallyâ makes sense syntactically but not semantically. A mixture has several ranks of pipes, by definition. Again, the word âoftenâ often fits into this sentence construction, but doesnât make any sense here. Not sure what âand its specificationsâ adds to the meaning, but there are worse things than meaningless padding. This sentence is ok on its own, I guess, but in context itâs borderline gibberish. Organists and enthusiasts seek out organs, not specific types of mixtures. (They might seek out, say, thirds in the mixtures or some other specific characteristic, but ChatGPT didnât suggest any of these.) The reason, I guess, that it sounds like a high-school kid trying to fake an answer is that itâs kind of working the same way - putting together a bunch of things that it knows from its training data go together but without any ability to analyze what they actually mean. If it sounds good, then run with it.
Resending, hopefully, with better formatting.
Interesting response. Itâs like a high-school kid trying to fake an answer. Iâm far from alone in noticing this. Of course, itâs not âthinkingâ; it just knows which words are likely to go with which other words, a fancy version of text prediction on our phones, plus it has a very well-developed sense of syntax (in English, at least; it fails badly with some other languages). Anyway, a few comments. True, but it said the exact same thing about the mixtures by the Viennese maker Joseph Ellich, who was a hallucination. This is just the kind of thing that is said about mixtures, I guess. The word âtypicallyâ makes sense syntactically but not semantically. A mixture has several ranks of pipes, by definition. Again, the word âoftenâ often fits into this sentence construction, but doesnât make any sense here. Not sure what âand its specificationsâ adds to the meaning, but there are worse things than meaningless padding. This sentence is ok on its own, I guess, but in context itâs borderline gibberish. Organists and enthusiasts seek out organs, not specific types of mixtures. (They might seek out, say, thirds in the mixtures or some other specific characteristic, but ChatGPT didnât suggest any of these.) The reason, I guess, that it sounds like a high-school kid trying to fake an answer is that itâs kind of working the same way - putting together a bunch of things that it knows from its training data go together but without any ability to analyze what they actually mean. If it sounds good, then run with it.