About this work
Greensleeves is an anonymous English melody transmitted since the late sixteenth century. This version is arranged for a plucked-string instrument and can be approached on the lute, vihuela or guitar, according to the instrument and tuning available.
First play the melody alone and identify its upbeats, long notes and returns. Add the bass line next, then the inner voices. Let the chords resonate whenever the writing permits, and prepare position changes early enough to avoid holding the left hand in constant tension.
Its historical character does not call for museum-like stiffness. A flexible pulse, discreet ornaments and small differences between repeated phrases can bring the melody to life. The synthetic render is useful for checking the sequence of notes, but should not dictate articulation or expression.
What the document contains
An arrangement for guitar, lute or vihuela.
One single-page PDF score.
One matching MIDI file.
The composer of the melody remains anonymous; this is a modern instrumental arrangement.