Andreas Ornithoparcus his Micrologus, or Introduction: containing the art of singing Digested into foure bookes. Not onely profitable, but also necessary for all that are studious of musicke. Also the dimension and perfect vse of the monochord, according to Guido Aretinus. By Iohn Douland lutenist, lute-player, and Bachelor of Musicke in both the Vniuersities. 1609.

Rules of Imperfection.

FIrst, There is foure Notes which may be imperfected, to wit, a Larg, a Long, a Breefe, a Semibreefe.

2 Euery figure, which may be imperfected, is alway to be considered in the number of his perfect quantitie.

3 That which is once imperfect, cannot be more imperfected.

4 Euery figure that may be imperfected, is greater than the imperfec∣ting figure.

5 Imperfection is made not onely by the neere parts of the Notes, but also by the remoued parts. As a perfect Breefe can be imperfected, not one∣ly by a Semibreefe, which is the neere part, but also of two Minims, which are remote parts of it.

6 Two neighbouring parts of one perfect figure doe not imperfect it, but onely one: although two remoued ones may doe the same. Wherefore if you finde two Semibreefe Rests after a perfect Breefe, it shall remaine per∣fect, vnlesse punctuall Diuision come betweene.

7 Euery lesse figure being superfluous doth imperfect the greater going before, not the following one: vnlesse it happen by reason of the Pricke of Diuision, Perfection, or Transportation.

8 A Note of one sort comming before his like is not imperfected, wher∣by euery figure that is to be imperfected, must be put before a figure that is greater, or lesse than it selfe.

9 The greater Note doth not imperfect the lesse, nor an equall Note an other equall Note.

10 The figure which doth imperfect another figure, takes so much from it, as it selfe is valued at.

11 A Rest is not imperfected, but doth imperfect.

12 A Ligature doth neuer imperfect, but is imperfected.

13 A Larg doth nothing, but suffereth onely in Imperfection.

14 A Minime doth, and neuer suffereth in Imperfection.

15 A Long, Breefe, and Semibreefe doe imperfect, and are imperfected.

16 Euery Imperfection is either before or behinde: Before, as when the imperfecting Note doth goe before the Note that is imperfected: Behind, as when it followeth. There be that thinke it is caused both wayes in partiall Imperfection.

17 That Imperfection, which is caused before and behind, is caused not by the neighbouring, but by the remote parts.

18 All Imperfection is caused either by the Note, the Rest, or the co∣lour. By the Note, to wit, when a figure of a lesser kind is placed before or after a perfect Note, and so imperfects it, thus: 〈♫〉〈♫〉 Tenor. Base.

By a Rest, to wit, when a Rest of a lesse kind is found before or after a perfect Note: but the Rest cannot be imperfected, as thus: 〈♫〉〈♫〉 Tenor. 〈♫〉〈♫〉 Base.

By Colour: when in the perfect figures you finde Colour, the Notes are Imperfect; because their third part is taken away, thus: 〈♫〉〈♫〉 Tenor. 〈♫〉〈♫〉 Bassus and his Position.