Quotes by William Billings

Be sure not to force the Sound thro' your Nose; but warble the Notes in your Throat.

Choristers must always remember to set flat keyed tunes to melancoly words, and sharp keyed tunes to cheerful words.

Every letter has its own peculiar air, which air is very much hurt if the tune is not rightly pitched; for instance, if a tune is set on A natural, and in pitching the tune, you set it a tone too low, you transpose the key into G, which is perhaps quite different from the intention of the author, and oftentimes very destructive to the harmony.

In the first place, you must pay great attention to the key note.

It is also well worth your observation, that the grand contention with us, is, not who shall sing loudest; but who shall sing best.

It is much the best way... to lay the emphasis on the first part of the bar in triple time, and on the first and third parts of the bar in common time.

Let tyrants shake their iron rod.

The best general rule I know of, is, to set the tune on the letter the author has set it, unless he has given directions to the contrary.