The Black Nag
Key: B minor
Arrangement: Tin Whistle & Chords (lead sheet) (also works for other melody instruments)
Composer / Source: J. Playford (?)
Period: Baroque (17th century)
Region / Culture: English
Type: Dance
Format: Digital download (PDF) — 1 file (1.3MB)
About this tune
“The Black Nag” is presented here as an English Baroque-era dance tune, associated (with some uncertainty) to John Playford as a source reference.
This edition is a practical melody + chord symbols lead sheet—perfect for modern players who want something that sits well in folk/early-music crossover sets.
Why “Tin Whistle & Chords” works so well
With chord symbols included, you can:
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play the melody on Tin Whistle (or substitute another melody instrument),
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accompany with guitar, bouzouki, piano/keyboard, harp, or continuo-style textures,
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rehearse faster in ensembles, because harmony is already mapped out.
Performance tips
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Keep articulation dance-like and buoyant (clear attacks, but not harsh).
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Use the chord changes to shape phrasing—think in longer arcs, not just bar-by-bar.
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For a more “Baroque folk” feel, accompaniment can work well with open fifths, drones, or broken-chord patterns, instead of dense modern voicings.
What you receive
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1 digital PDF file (1.3MB) as listed on the product page.