The chief points which were gained in this period were
a very fine and delicate perception of the qualities of chords
when sung by voices, and wonderful skill in manipulating
the melodic progressions of the separate voice parts so as to
obtain very subtle gradations of variety in the succession of
. these chords. While they were achieving these matters, com-
posers unconsciously developed a feeling for the classification
of such chords in connection with certain tonal centres. The
almost universal practice of the " musica ficta" which entailed
the modification of the modes by accidentals, brought the effect
of tonality more and more into prominence, especially in the
cadences ; and by these processes the basis was formed for the
new departures which ensued; and with the help of the insigni-
ficant attempts at instrumental music, which were made even
while the art of unaccompanied choral music was at its highest
perfection, the materials which formed the groundwork and
footing of the structure of the latest modern art were supplied



CHAPTER VI

THE RISE OF SECULAR MUSIC

Without taking into consideration the many external causei
which influenced and modified the character of various arts
about the end of the sixteenth century, it might have been
foreseen that a new departure in music was inevitable on
internal and artistic grounds alone. The range of the art
had been extremely limited so far; and though its limitations
had conduced to the development of singularly perfect results,
such advantages could not prevent men from wearying of
apparent monotony, and becoming restive under restrictions
which seemed to be hindrances to the fullest expression of their
musical ideals. A reaction, such as in analogous situations
in ordinary life drives men accustomed to ease and refine-
ment of surroundings to court hardship, danger, and priva-
tion, drove men of the highest taste and refinement, and
such as were most thoroughly in touch with the spirit and
movement of their age, to cut themselves adrift from the
traditions of a perfectly mature art — to cast aside the
pririciples which the accumulated observations and efforts of
past generations had brought to an admirable practical issue
— and adopt a kind of music which was formless, crude,
and chaotic.
