Historically, the notes of scale systems anywhere have been based on these pure harmonics.

There is no earthly reason why a solo string instrument or voice, having the possibility to play or sing pure intonation, should want, or try, to be tempered.

A good example of how it must have been is today's world of conducting, which is still utterly dominated by men, and the prejudice the few female conductors have to battle even today is astounding.

I had been playing since I was 2 years old, never remembering a life without music, always playing everything naturally and mostly by ear, and all the grownups wanted were more scales and drudgery out of me.

The rain was on a grander scale than any of these systems were designed for. It challenged all their capacities.

And apparently things like a Vindaloo curry are out for the rest of my life, or at least a long time.