It is agreed that all sound which is the material of music…
“It is agreed that all sound which is the material of music is of three sorts. First is harmonica, which consists of vocal music; second is organica, which is formed from the breath; third is rhythmica, which receives its numbers from the beat of the fingers. For sound is produced either by the voice, coming through the throat; or by the breath, coming through the trumpet or tibia, for example; or by touch, as in the case of the cithara or anything else that gives a tuneful sound on being struck.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Music arises from voice, breath, and touch, each producing distinct sound types.
In simple terms: Music comes from singing, wind, and percussion.
Explore all sound sources.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- choir practice
- wind instrument design
- percussion composition
- education curricula
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Which sound source inspires you most?
- How does each element affect emotional impact?
Modern classification differs, but core categories persist.