A Plaine and Easie Introduction to Practicall Musicke

Ma. It is a property of singing, wherein you may sing either fa or mi in b fa $\natural$ mi, according as it shall be marked $b$ or thus $\natural$, and is when the ut is in C fa ut.

Phi. What if there be no mark?

Ma. There it is supposed to be sharp, $\natural$.

Phi. What is b molle?

Ma. It is a property of singing, wherein fa must always be sung in b fa $\natural$ mi, and is when the ut is in F fa ut.

Phi. Now I think I understand all the clefs, and that you can hardly show me any note, but that I can tell wherein it standeth.

Ma. Then wherein doth the eighth note stand in this example?

A musical staff shows a five-line stave with a Renaissance-style F-clef (F fa ut) on the fourth line from the bottom. An ascending scale of eight notes is shown, starting below the staff and ending on the third space.

Phi. In G sol re ut.

Ma. How knew you?

Phi. By my proof.

Ma. How do you prove it?

How to prove where a note standeth.

Phi. From the clef which is F fa ut: for the next key above F fa ut is G sol re ut.

Ma. Now sing this example.

A musical staff with five lines and an F-clef displays an ascending hexachord of six notes. The solmization syllables "ut re mi fa sol la" are printed directly beneath the notes.

Phi. But now I am out of my bias, for I know not what is above la.

Ma. Wherein standeth the note whereof you doubt?

Phi. In F fa ut.

Ma. And I pray you, F fa ut, how many clefs and how many notes?

Phi. One clef and two notes.

Ma. Which be the two notes?

Phi. fa and ut.

What to be sung above la.

Ma. Now if you remember what I told you before concerning the singing of ut, you may not sing it in this place: so that of force you must sing fa.

Phi. You say true. And I see that by this I should have a very good wit, for I have but a bad memory. But now I will sing forward.

Ma. Do so then.

A musical staff with five lines and an F-clef shows an ascending scale of nine notes, passing from one hexachord to the next. The syllables "ut re mi fa sol la fa sol la" are printed below the notes.

Phi. But once again, I know not how to go any further.

Ma. Why?

Phi. Because I know not what to sing above this la.

Ma. Wherein standeth the note?

Phi. In b fa $\natural$ mi.

Ma. And what b has it before it?

Phi. None.