Meter in Music, 1600–1800

Book excerpt: "All practising musicians with an interest in the baroque owe it to themselves to be exposed to the ideas contained in this book." —Continuo "This is a book from an excellent musician in the early field who turns out also to be a most persistent scholar . . . " —Early Music " . . . the book offers a vast quantity of data from a wide range of sources. . . . George Houle is to be congratulated for his honest presentation of the entire spectrum." —Music Educators Journal The treatment of meter in performance has evolved dramatically since 1600. Here is a practical guide for the performer, with many quotations from early manuals and treatises, and abundant examples.