Sheet music for Greensleeves arranged for trumpet and piano – the famous English melody in a lyrical arrangement for practice, lessons, recitals and Christmas concerts.
Trumpet Sheet Music • Trumpet & Piano
GreensleevesTraditional English melody
My Lady Greensleeves (Rossetti, 1863)Image: Wikimedia Commons
Greensleeves is one of the best-known melodies in the world. This arrangement gives the tune to the trumpet with a full piano part, so you can play it in lessons, recitals, church services and Christmas concerts. The PDF is available as an instant download.
About Greensleeves
Greensleeves is a traditional English ballad from the 16th century. It was first registered in London in 1580 as “A Newe Northen Dittye of the Ladye Greene Sleves”. A popular legend says that King Henry VIII wrote it for Anne Boleyn, but historians do not accept this: the song is built on an Italian harmonic pattern that reached England only after Henry’s death. Shakespeare mentions the song twice in The Merry Wives of Windsor, so it was already famous in his time.
In the 19th century William Chatterton Dix wrote the Christmas carol “What Child Is This?” to the same melody, and in 1934 Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Greensleeves made it a concert favourite. That is why Greensleeves works all year and is a perfect choice for Christmas programmes.
Why play it on trumpet
The melody is slow and lyrical, so it suits students as well as professionals who want a beautiful encore. It is ideal for working on legato, long phrases, breath control and a warm, singing tone. It also sounds lovely on flugelhorn or cornet.
Practice tips
- Think of the melody as a song: shape every phrase towards its highest note.
- Take relaxed breaths at the phrase ends and keep the air moving through long notes.
- Keep the gentle, lilting triple-time feel light – the tune should flow, not march.
- Try it on flugelhorn for an even darker, warmer colour.
For more Christmas repertoire see O Holy Night for trumpet. Browse all works in the Trumpet Play-Along Catalog A–Z or find PDF parts in the Trumpet Sheet Music Library.
