A decorative woodcut headpiece depicting a central crown held by two winged putti. The putti are surrounded by elaborate foliate scrollwork and cornucopias. On the far left and right ends of the ornament are large birds, likely eagles or phoenixes, perched within the scrolling vines.

PREFACE

THE READER.

Some will perhaps wonder why—since there exist so many monuments by most excellent men who have written about Music original: "Musica" quite learnedly and abundantly—I have applied myself to this kind of writing. This is especially true at this time when, music having become almost arbitrary, Composers original: "Compositores" wish to be bound by no precepts and no rules, and dread the very names of "Laws" and "School" as if they were death itself. I wish my intentions were known to these people: certainly, there have existed very many writers, famous for both their learning and authority, who have left behind most rich writings on speculative music speculative music: the theoretical, philosophical, and mathematical study of music, focusing on how sound works rather than how to write it, but regarding active music active music: the practical application of music, specifically the craft of composition and performance, their writings are quite meager and not at all clear. For the most part, they were content with certain examples, not at all concerned with finding an easy method original: "methodo facili" by which beginners might climb step-by-step, as if by a ladder, toward the attainment—