Table-book

A table-book is a manuscript or printed book which is arranged so that all the parts of a piece of music can be read from it while seated around a table.

They were made in the 16th and 17th century for both instrumental and vocal pieces.

The first example of such a book is probably Le parangon des chansons (1538) by Jacques Moderne of Lyon.

English sources contain many lute pieces and works by John Dowland, including his Lachrimae.

Later systems of displaying parts worked for up to six performers, and in extreme cases as many as 12.

A table-book printing from Henry Lawes ' The treasury of musick: containing ayres and dialogues to sing to the theorbo-lute or basse-viol. , 1669.
A more involved example, showing four parts and multiple verses