1. Before making the extensive and difficult effort such as must be expended on the finer and more artificial type of singing, it is necessary that the student examine his own calling, without which all diligence would be in vain. It is impossible to resist the obstinacy of our natural inclination when, with subversive power, it pulls us toward something else. When it beckons, it immediately persuades and thereby spares the beginner half the trouble.

2. I assume therefore that the student is anxiously desirous to attain for himself such a beautiful science and that he may have already received adequate instruction in the previously taught tedious fundamentals, of which some may perhaps have escaped my weak memory. At first, he must principally strive toward the possession of ethical virtues; afterward, he must apply himself to the perfection of his art, [lit., the art of singing well]; so that he might, through good progress in both [i.e., virtue and art], arrive at the happy state of having united in himself the noblest spiritual qualities with the rarest gifts of genius.

3. When a student makes singing his principal work in life, he should consider that upon his voice depends inescapably his success or failure. In order not to lose it, therefore, he must not permit himself excesses or reckless pleasures.