Here is a book of tunes from the Elizabethan era the great period of English song set in tablature for the clawhammer banjo. At first glance it is true the songs of Shakespeare s day and the mountain banjo seem to be worldsapart. But the musical traditions are in fact related as Elizabethan songs are the old world cousins of mountain tunes. As a result Elizabethan tunes are a natural way to extend the mountain banjo repertoire for intermediateand advanced players. Their pedigree their modal feel the lilting rhythms and the ease with which they can be adapted to the banjo argue the case. At the same time they open the possibility for new sounds in particular newrhythms for the old instrument pushing the banjo beyond unnatural limitations and giving it a new voice. Each section of the book is organized around a traditional mountain tuning with a mountain song serving as a model of thattuning illuminating the relationship between the two musical worlds. The Bard s Banjo is the first banjo instruction book devoted to the repertoire of Elizabethan song. Free audio downloads are available for use with thistitle.
