{"id":46629,"date":"2024-09-27T16:17:50","date_gmt":"2024-09-27T20:17:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.classicalguitarcorner.com\/?p=46629"},"modified":"2024-09-27T16:42:43","modified_gmt":"2024-09-27T20:42:43","slug":"greensleeves-guitar-tab","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.classicalguitarcorner.com\/greensleeves-guitar-tab\/","title":{"rendered":"Learn Greensleeves on Classical Guitar: PDF + TAB"},"content":{"rendered":"

Get a free PDF of the Greensleeves Guitar TAB<\/a> so you can start learning this classic Christmas carol today.<\/p>\n

Greensleeves<\/h2>\n

The tune “Greensleeves” was a popular broadside ballad from the 16th century. While some claim King Henry VIII wrote the song, it is likely a popular ballad that was around the British Isles for some time. The authorship is anonymous, like many pieces from the Renaissance.<\/p>\n

Greensleeves Lyrics<\/h3>\n

The original lyrics come from the 1584 A Handful of Pleasant Delights<\/em>. Go here to see the lyrics<\/a> in full. They describe a “Lady Greensleeves” who rejects the advances of a young man who has “waged both life and land” for the lady, who is his “heart of gold.”<\/p>\n

However, today the tune is much more known for its setting to the Christmas carol “What Child Is This?” The English composer and hymn writer William Chatterton Dix wrote the lyrics in 1865. The tune was then published in a collection of other carols set to the tune of Greensleeves in 1871.<\/p>\n

Greensleeves on Lute<\/h3>\n

The tune appears in many lute books from the Renaissance. A popular version is that of Francis Cutting. This version is quite different from the popular hymn tune associated with “What Child Is This?” but it gives you a good look at what the original tune was like.<\/p>\n

A version closer to the tune we all know and love is from the so-called William Ballet Lute Book<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Our Arrangement of Greensleeves for Classical Guitar<\/h3>\n

The arrangement we have created for you is a transcription from the William Ballet Lute Book<\/em>, with some small alterations in the second section. This will be an approachable version for about a Grade 3 player.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Performance Notes<\/h4>\n

If you would like to use a capo<\/a> on the third fret it will brighten the sound and make it sound more lute-like. It will also help with some of the stretches.<\/p>\n

The time signature of 6\/4 may be new to you, but it is a very common way to interpret triple-meter pieces from the Renaissance. You’ll have six quarter-note beats per measure. It will feel pretty similar to 6\/8 if you play it at a slightly faster tempo.<\/p>\n

There are dotted rhythms throughout so be sure to use eighth-note subdivision. Otherwise your dotted notes can become lazy and sound more like triplets.<\/p>\n

In measure 1, the F natural on the “and” of beat 5 is to be played with the 2 finger in the left hand. Try to hold on to the C with the 3 finger on the fifth string as you stretch to reach the F.<\/p>\n

If you would like to add ornaments in places you may, but the piece sounds beautiful as is.<\/p>\n

Greensleeves Guitar TAB<\/h2>\n

Download a free PDF of the Greensleeves Guitar TAB<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Christmas Songs for Classical Guitar<\/h2>\n

This piece comes from our collection Christmas Songs for Classical Guitar<\/em>, made up of some of the most popular and beloved tunes of the Holidays.<\/p>\n

Each of these ten pieces, arranged by Dave Belcher, gives you the joy of these classic melodies in new and fun versions. These arrangements fit a fairly wide range of playing ability and so there should be something for just about everyone here. Along with classic Christmas carols, there are also a couple of traditional Catalan Christmas songs that will be familiar from the classical guitar repertoire. Here is a list of the contents:<\/p>\n