Thomas Mace

Thomas Mace (1612 or 1613 – c. 1706) was an English lutenist, viol player, singer, composer and musical theorist of the Baroque era.

[3] He was a singer,[4] termed a lay clerk, in the choir of Trinity College, Cambridge from 1635 until his death.

In the Third PART, The Generous Viol, in Its Rightest Use, is Treated upon; with some Curious Observations, never before Handled, concerning It, and Musick in General.

[7] John Hawkins in A General History Of The Science and Practice Of Music (1776) commented: Under whom he was educated, or by what means he became possessed of so much skill in the science of music, as to be able to furnish out matter for a folio volume, he has no where informed us; nevertheless his book contains so many particulars respecting himself, and so many traits of an original and singular character, that a very good judgement may be formed both of his temper and ability.

With regard to the first, he appears to have been an enthusiastic lover of his art; ... As to the latter, his knowledge of music seems to have been confined to the practice of his own instrument, and so much of the principles of the science, as enabled him to compose for it; but for his style in writing he certainly never had his fellow.