Perhaps the first 5-string banjo book of its kind, Renaissance and Elizabethan Music for Banjo consists entirely of music from these early periods and provides banjo players with "growing material"—that is, the opportunity to play in a number of different keys besides G major. This detail alone will expand your banjo horizon by requiring the use of unusual chord shapes. Written for classical banjo enthusiasts who want to further enhance their musicianship, some selections reveal one of the earliest aspects of music theory, that of modal scales. Various compositional forms and unfamiliar tempos are also introduced in arrangements that will help you become less dependent on the open fifth string.

This type of music would be extremely difficult to learn by ear, so a book of tablatures should prove to be invaluable. Every piece is presented first in a vertical chord arrangement, which was the way it was originally intended— and then arranged in a linear horizontal style more familiar to modern players. Every tune is accompanied by performance notes supported by a helpful glossary. Written in tablature only with access to online audio, these pieces also make great finger-limbering exercises!

Includes access to online audio.

A Lute Lesson      
A Pavane      
Anthony Holborne (1547-1602): A Galliarde      
Caesare Negri (1546-1604): Gagliarda/Pavaniglia #1 (Italian)      
Caesare Negri (1546-1604): Gagliarda/Pavaniglia #2 (Italian)      
Canzone-Fieri Ochi (Italian)      
Enriges de Valdarabanno: Sonnett (Spanish)      
Fabrito Caruso (1580s): Villanela (Italian)      
Fantasia (Italian)      
Fiamenga (Italian)      
Gagliarda Nova (Italian)      
Georg Fuhrmann: Ein gutes Tanz (German)      
Greensleeves      
Hans Neusidler (1509-1563): Ein Nederlandische Tanz (Dutch/German)      
Hans Neusidler (1509-1563): Leid - Ich Klag den Tag (German)      
Jan Pieterzoon Sweelinck (1562-1621): Volte (Dutch)      
Jean Baptiste Besard (1567-1625): A Galliarde (French)      
John Dowland (1563-1626): A Ballet      
John Dowland (1563-1626): A Pavane      
John Dowland (1563-1626): Come Again      
John Dowland (1563-1626): Lachrimae Pavane      
John Dowland (1563-1626): Melancholy Galliarde      
Louis de Narvaez (1530-1550): Guardame Las Vacas (Spanish)      
Mirko Cafagni: Etwas Corenten (Swiss)      
Spagnoletta (Spanish/Italian)      
The Ladies Delight      
The Willow Song      
Thoinot Arbeau (1580s) Pavane: Belle qui tiens ma Vie (French)      
Thomas Campion (1567-1620): Never Weather Beaten Sail      
Thomas Campion (1567-1620): Shall I Come Sweet Love to Thee      
Thomas Robinson (1588-1610): Go From My Window      
Thomas Robinson (1588-1610): The Queen's Jig      
Tutte Venite Armati (Italian)      
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