My Lord’s Codpiece – a Renaissance ukulele improvisation

“A noble uke, in nature as in name” Twelfth Night Act 1 Scene 2 Thought to be written in England in 1608 by the great Renaissance ukulele composer John Dowland. The Renaissance ukulele music of 17th Century England is not widely known, and Dowland, of course, is better known for his prodigious output for the lute and, later in life, for the harmonica. This is the cheeky and somewhat curiously titled “My Lord’s Codpiece”. The origin of the title is obscure and can only be imagined. I’m playing my Ohana TK3G Tenor with Worth strings which give it a soft, understated sound when it is played gently. However, the strings brighten up when it is played with more volume. Just fooling around in my garden. Don’t take it too seriously – I made it up.

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