Praises of Music

A iiii

...priate. In what way, he responds, is this appropriate to all things? Because they must be done with measure and reason, being neither more nor less than what is required. However, for a specific reason, it is placed in the definition of Music. In the same way, the word diction original: "diction", from Latin dictio, meaning a word, saying, or formal expression. generally applies to all who say anything; but (if we believe Joachim Likely referring to a classical grammarian or perhaps Joachim of Fiore, though the context suggests a linguistic authority.) speaking is proper to orators, from whence comes this word diction. Thus, what belongs to everyone generally is particularly suited to orators, for it is their specific concern. We understand, then, that "mode" Here meaning "measured manner," "restraint," or "correct proportion." belongs particularly to Music. The musician must take care not to exceed or fall short in the manner of measuring or moving the voices in each of the genres. For the measure of moving the notes original: "puntos", referring to the "points" or notes used in musical notation. is the science of music, without which no one can accurately know musical measures and movements. The success of such people Referring to those who sing by ear or instinct without theory. should be regarded only as much as their errors, for it happens by chance. From whence does it come to give a semitone's measure to a tone, or a tone's to a semitone, or to turn a diatessaron An interval of a perfect fourth. of the first species into the third without necessity, and other errors that would be long to recount, if not for a lack of measure in the consonances? They lie, then, without measure; they count without numbers. Let whatever comes out come out, like the calf the Israelites made in the desert A reference to the Golden Calf, implying something created without divine order or proper craft.. He who possesses the skill or science of measuring musical proportions will possess Music. Although the science of measuring is more required in instruments, for which many and certain measurements are necessary, we do not exclude it, says Augustine, from the Music that men sing. For instrumental Music, double measures are needed: one to build said instruments, and another to play them. The glorious Augustine asks the second question in the third chapter: Why, in the definition of Music, was that word "well" added to "measuring"? Would it not suffice to say "measuring"? For if a measurement is not "good," it cannot truly be called a measurement. One could say Music is the science of measuring, and that would be enough, without saying "well measuring." This word "well" seems superfluous, since the definition is complete without it. It was necessary, he responds, to put that word "well" in the definition; because if a singer kept all the musical measures and proportions, and formed all the consonances according to the rules of Music, such measuring would delight the

ears, and with great reason would be called melody. But it could be done when it was not appropriate, erring in the place, time, or manner. And although it were measured, it would not be good, or well-performed. He who composed a joyful song for a place of sadness, even if the other conditions of Music were kept, would not be measuring well. He who played the eighth mode Medieval and Renaissance music was organized into "modes" or scales; the eighth mode (Hypomixolydian) has a different character and mood than the sixth (Hypolydian). instead of the sixth: it would be a song that delighted the ears, but it would not be good measure or melody, since he gave the measure of one mode to another. If a singer gave a sad and tearful measure or melody to joyful lyrics he composed, even if such a song conformed to every law of Music and were called the art of melody, it could not be called "well-measuring." Therefore, such Music must be cast out and despised. We must not only do good things, but they must be well done, putting each thing in its place and home. We look not only at the nouns, but also at the adverbs The author uses a grammatical analogy: "measuring" is the act, but "well" is the adverb that determines its moral and artistic value.. Where God commanded in the Law: "That which is just, you shall perform justly." Deuteronomy 16:20. Thus, it is one thing to measure or make melody, and another to do it when and where it is appropriate. This latter belongs to Music, which is called the science of well-measuring, or of making melody well. Melody belongs to any singer who does not err in the measures of the intervals; however, "good measure" belongs to this liberal art of Music. If we were to say that well-measuring in Music is singing for God, we would differ from the sentiment of Augustine. This condition is understood as such by Margarita The Margarita Philosophica, a famous encyclopedia of the time. in the first book, second chapter. Those who sing for shameful acts and light works, even though they keep all the musical rules, do not sing well. They certainly do not give the measure they ought to give to Music, because she is a measure that leads us to God, and they, by using her poorly, go to hell. It remains to inquire why the word "science" was placed in the definition. Is there perchance any song that is not science? Do not think you have science, all you who sing or play. Does not the Nightingale, or Philomena Philomela, the mythological figure turned into a nightingale, often used as a symbol for natural, untutored song., at certain times of the year, sing sweetly? This bird and others have song by nature, or by imitation from hearing their parents; and because they lack the art of Music, they lack the science. Because there is song without science, the definition says that the Music we are treating is the science of well-measuring.