Ding Dong Merrily on High

Thoinot Arbeau · Level 3 (Late beginner) · traditional · Guitar, sheet music and tablature

The tune is the “Branle de l’Official” published by Thoinot Arbeau in his Orchésographie (1589); George R. Woodward set Christmas words to it in 1924. The long runs imitate pealing bells. Arranged in G major: the tune with a thumb bass on every strong beat, in first position.

▶ Play this piece with the interactive score

How to practise it

• Listen first: the site plays it while the score scrolls.
• Wait mode: the score waits for you at every note, at your own pace.
• Tempo challenge: play in time, with a score and a map of the bars you got right.
• Thumb for all the basses, i-m for the tune; prepare each chord shape before the downbeat. Work in four-bar phrases, then play it through at a reduced tempo.

Source : Arrangement Note after Note d’après le « Branle de l’Official » de Thoinot Arbeau (1589) · Public Domain