Musical treatises

Musical treatises are written works that analyze, explain, or discuss aspects of music, such as theory, composition, and performance. They serve as scholarly guides, offering insights into how music works, including principles of harmony, counterpoint, rhythm, and form. These texts help musicians, composers, and students understand the underlying mechanics of music, often providing rules and techniques for creating or interpreting music. Historically, they have been essential for formalizing musical knowledge and passing it down across generations, contributing to the development and refinement of musical practice and education.