Inglis Collection of printed music > Printed text > Introduction to the skill of musick

J $. An fatuu ''ion to
nothing more contrary t* ;flion than they are,
yet in fome kind of Muuc t.fs Paflionate or Af-
iectuousv and upon long Syll^' les, not fhort, and
in final Cadences fome fhort I nts of Divifion may
be ufed , but not at all ad - ares , but upon the
practice of the Defcant \ by jfcink of them firft
in thofe things that a man wiii fing by himfelf , and
to fafhion out the manner of them , and not to
promife a mans felf that this Defcant will bear it :
For to the good manner of Compofmg and Singing
in this way, the underflanding of the conceit and
the humour of the words ,- as well in Paflionate
Cords as Paflionate ExpreflionsinSinging,doth more
avail than Defcant •,. I having made ufe of it only to
accord two Parts together , and to avoid certain
notable Errors , and bind certain Difcords for the
accompanying of the Paflion > more than to ufe the
Art : And certain it is , that an Ayrt Compofed in
this manner upon the Conceit of the words, by
one that hath a good fafhion of Singing, will work
a better effect and delight more than another made
with all the Art of Defcant , where the Humour
or Conceit of the words is not minded.'
The original of which defect ( if I deceive not
my felf) is hence occafioned , becaufe the Mufician
doth not well poflefs and make himfelf Mafter of
that which he is to Sing. For if he did fo y un-
doubtedly he would not run into fuch errors , as
molt ealily he falleth into, who hath framed to
himfelf a manner of Singing \ for Example , alto- '
gether Paflionate, with a general Rule, that in
Encreafing and Abating the Voice , and in Excla-
mations, is the foundation of Paflion, doth always
ufe