A Plaine and Easie Introduction to Practicall Musicke

To the Reader.

Although it be not such as may in every point satisfy the curiosity of dichotomists those who divide subjects into two parts: yet is it such as I thought most convenient for the capacity of the learner. And I have had an especial care that nothing should be set out of his own place, but that it which should serve to the understanding of that which followeth should be set first. And as for the definition, division, parts, and kinds of music, I have omitted them as things only serving to content the learned, and not for the instruction of the ignorant. Thus hast thou the reasons which moved me to take in hand and go forward with the book. The pains of making whereof, though they have been peculiar to me, and only to me: yet will the profit redound to a great number. And this much I may boldly affirm, that any of but mean capacity, so they can but truly sing their tunings, which we commonly call the six notes, or ut, re, mi, fa, sol, la the syllables used in solmization to represent the notes of the hexachord, may without any other help (using this book) perfectly learn to sing, make discant a form of medieval polyphony, and set parts well and formally together. But seeing in these latter days and doting age of the world, there is nothing more subject to calumny and backbiting than that which is most true and right: and that as there be many who will enter into the reading of my book for their instruction: so I doubt not but diverse also will read it, not so much for any pleasure or profit they look for in it, as to find something whereat to repine, or take occasion of backbiting. Such men I warn, that if in friendship they will (either publicly or privately) make me acquainted with any thing in the book, which either they like not or understand not: I will not only be content to give them a reason (and if I cannot, to turn to their opinion,) but also think myself highly beholding to them. But if any man, either upon malice, or for ostentation of his own knowledge, or for ignorance (as who is more bold than blind bayard a proverbial expression for a fool or a person who acts without knowledge) do either in hugger-mugger secretly or openly calumniate that which either he understandeth not, or then maliciously wresteth to his own sense, he (as Augustus said by one, who had spoken evil of him) shall find that I have a tongue also: and that me remorsurum petit original: "me remorsurum petit"; translation: he snarls at one who will bite again, he snarleth at one who will bite again, because I have said nothing without reason, or at least confirmed by the authorities of the best, both scholars and practitioners. There have also been some, who (knowing their own insufficiency, and not daring to disallow, nor being able to improve any thing in the book) have nevertheless gone about to discredit both me and it another way, affirming that I have by setting out thereof maliciously gone about to take away the livings from a number of honest poor men, who live (and that honestly) upon teaching not half of that which in this book may be found. But to answer those malicious caterpillars, who live upon the pains of other men, this book will be so far from the hindrance of any, that by the contrary, it will cause those whom they allege to be thereby damnified, to be more able to give reason for that which they do: Whereas before they either did it at haphazard, or for all reasons alleged, that they were so taught. So that if any at all owe me any thanks for the great pains which I have taken, they be in my judgment, those who taught that which they knew not, and may here if they will learn. But if the effect do not answer to my good meaning, and if many do not reap that benefit which I hoped; yet there will be no reason why I should be blamed, who have done what I could, and given an occasion to others of better judgment and deeper skill than myself to do the like. And as for those ignorant asses, who take upon them to lead others, none being more blind than themselves, and yet without any reason, before they have seen their works, will condemn other men, I overpass them, as being unworthy to be nominated, or that any man should vouchsafe to answer them: for they be indeed such as doing wickedly hate the light for fear they should be espied. And so (gentle Reader) hoping by thy favourable courtesy, to avoid both the malice of the envious and the temerity of the ignorant, wishing thee the whole profit of the book and all perfection in thy studies, I rest.