Tuning systems and their development historically are by nature controversial. The quest for the perfect system has been competitive, enlightening and at the same time futile. Is there a place for a mathematically beautiful system which is impossible to write down? Is the further division of 12 equal intervals more a case of multiplying the imperfections of the dominant system rather than creating something new and worthwhile? Why must we submit to a tuning system, in equal temperament, which has been so thoughtlessly thrust upon us by those who should know better, which music students are still being taught is the unquestionable norm, when it only includes one beatless pure interval (the octave), the others being dissonant relations to their natural sources in the harmonic series? These are some of the questions which pervade tuning and those interested in it.

That said, those of us who have come to question the dominance of 12 equal tones per octave, for whatever reason, can now freely experiment with other tunings electronically with the help of the brilliant tuning software programme for Macintosh, LMSO which is for sale on this site: a potential lifetime of composition and investigation is just a few clicks away. No longer do you have to accept the word of the theorists: do your own thing, experiment, learn by listening, make your own theories based on what you hear, just do it for the hell of it. Tuning is flexible, any tunings are possible.

Some composers still want to write for acoustic instruments but also want to use new intervals. What happens then: do we figure out new fingerings, make modifications, add electronics, or overhaul the whole design? The answer is yes, yes, yes and yes: composers need open minded and excellent practitioners to teach us what is possible and to document their results.

Microtonal Projects Ltd is interested in bringing all these questions into a melting pot of debate and to provide opportunities to share information, hear performances and to help place microtonal music in a wider artistic context both in terms of european tradition and world musics, many of which use microtones naturally and vocally, sometimes without any reference to hard and fast theory but with the simple guide of mind and spirit.

We bring together those who like to ask the big questions with practical musicians who are pushing the boundaries of their instruments to create new intervallic possibilities and those versed in traditional practice. We don’t have any axes to grind, to promote specific tuning systems, or any subject-specific aims except to bring forward tuning ideas in the quest for progress, answers and inspiration.

How do we do this? By organising a bi-annual MicroFest in the UK and a series of mixed discipline art events called Wild Dog. In addition we sponsor The Microtonal Trumpet and in the future we will be building on our published catalogue, presently 3 items.

Microtonal Projects Ltd has strong links with many musicians and institutions world-wide and wishes to emphasise an open minded, enabling approach to this fascinating subject which, in its most elevated forms, taps emotional states which are elevating, different, compelling as well as intellectually stimulating.

We have had the good fortune to have our projects supported by the PRSF; Hinrichsen Foundation; RVW Trust; Kingston University; London Metropolitan University and the Dutch Embassy. If you would like to donate please email: donate@microtonalprojects.co.uk. We are entirely non-profit making and the Directors give their time and work voluntarily so any support offered will be given 100 percent to our projects.