The Ten Books on Architecture, 5.4.4

Vitruvius  Parallel editions

‹‹‹ Vitr. 5.4.3 | Table of Contents | Vitr. 5.4.5 ›››

Gwilt translation

4For nature has made the divisions of tones, semitones, and tetrachords, and has established those proportions of the intervals, by which workmen are guided in making and assigning their just proportions to instruments.

Morgan translation

4Now then, these intervals of tones and semitones of the tetrachord are a division introduced by nature in the case of the voice, and she has defined their limits by measures according to the magnitude of the intervals, and determined their characteristics in certain different ways. These natural laws are followed by the skilled workmen who fashion musical instruments, in bringing them to the perfection of their proper concords.