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There was 12 notes in Western music before 12 equal divisions.

This Mozart piece played in mean-tone temperament (historically accurate) has better tensions and resolutions than the equal tempered version.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzsEdK48CDY&t=700s

(The chipper ending to this piece is believed to be not written by Mozart.. the song was incomplete when he died.)

I even prefer Chopin in unequal temperament, but I'm not as confident about whether Chopin used 12 equal divisions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJT5Q6HooyA



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