Writing For The Lute 101

Rhythm. Beats. Music.

One of the best ways to express our emotions and ideas is through music.

During the 14th century, the Renaissance period was a time where society “rebirthed” the ancient Greek and Rome culture. Not only did the people rediscover the virtues of classical philosophy, art, and literature, they were able to rebirth themselves through music as well.

To help me feel that rediscovery, I followed the rules of composition used during the Renaissance period and transcribed “Row, Row, Row, Your Boat” into a commonly used tablature written for the lute.

"Row, Row, Row, Your Boat" in classical lute tablature form. By no means is this 100% accurate.

It’s quite different from modern composition!


Before the Renaissance period, music was heavily influenced by the church. A great example of the church’s influences during the medieval era on music were the soul-searching Gregorian chants sung in cathedrals today. As I was listening to samples of music from this time, I could tell that the style of music was mainly monophonic (a single instrument/voice) with some form of accompaniment.

Although most of the music remained religious during the Renaissance period, the relaxation of the Church’s political control over society meant that the composers were allowed greater freedom to be influenced by art, classical mythology, and even astronomy and mathematics. As the people began to increasingly free themselves from the medieval constraints, composers began to explore complex rhythms, harmonies, and forms.

Here is an example a legit lute composition by Jean-Baptiste Besard, Thesaurus Harmonicus (Cologne, 1603), 'Fantasia Ioannis Doland Angli Lachrimae'.

John Dowland, a famous Renaissance composer, lutenist, and singer, is a great example of someone who was heavily influenced by the freedom of creativity. In his opening section of “My Lady Hunsdon's Puffe”, a solo for the lute, Dowland brings out a bright colored tone combined with some short articulations to bring out a cheerful, and lively nature of the piece.

On the contrary, in his “Lachrimae”, a darker tone that is somber and aching is conveyed in a beautiful duet.

As I looked back over the things that I have learned, one huge idea kept coming back to me. If the Renaissance period never happened, maybe we would never have musicians like Bach, Vivaldi and Handel who expressed more complex rhythm, beats, and music, thus changing our entire view of music today.