It is not definite but it is thought that Narvaez may have been in service to the secretary of Charles V of Spain. He was in service to Prince Philip as the teacher of the children in the chapel. [Prince Philip of course was later to become Philip II]. Travels in northern Europe and Italy may have influenced Narvaez's music but there is no clear indication of this. As a vihuelist, improviser and composer for that instrument perhaps no one surpassed Narvaez. The compositions which he wrote for that instrument included solos, fantasias, and variations (differences). "Los seys libros del delphin" (1538) was a book that contained all of Narvaez's compositions. These compositions were the first to use the term variations and also contained the first printed and scored indications for tempo settings. In his compositions, particularly the variations, he explored various textures, rhythms, and tempos as well as the place in a composition where the cantus firmus should be. This he did by placing the cantus firmus in different voices. Additionally, the fantasias were written in all of the eight modes and had melodic lines with vocal textures. Perhaps because of Narvaez's improvisitory capability some of his later music betrays bravura scales, arpeggios, and quick changes in register. ~ Keith Johnson