-There is one golden rule that you should keep in mind when writing
-LilyPond input:
-@quotation
-@strong{DO NOT START A PIECE WITH A CHORD}
-@end quotation
-Of course, it is a allowed, but the result might not be what you expect:
+@c this example is a bit too strongly worded -- there's nothing wrong
+@c with starting a piece with a chord; you just have to be careful when
+@c you do so. I've rephrased this example below.
+@c There is one golden rule that you should keep in mind when writing
+@c LilyPond input:
+@c @quotation
+@c @strong{DO NOT START A PIECE WITH A CHORD}
+@c @end quotation
+@c Of course, it is a allowed, but the result might not be what you expect:
+
+@c rephrased "don't start with a chord"
+There is one caution when using chords: if you use a chord at the very
+beginning of the piece, LilyPond might not understand what you want:
+