TheSound of Silence isPaul Simon?s masterpiece. Released in 1965, Simon had written the track duringthe two previous years. It was well worth the wait.

Itis an obvious choice as a piece of repertoire to arrange for the intermediateguitarist, yet I have found that many arrangements include real technicaldifficulties for the learner. This is often because of the choice of key. Ifset in A minor, an F barre chord is encountered. Similarly, in D minor, a Bflat barre chord crops up. After much trial and error, I have created a versionin F sharp minor which is playable for younger and less experienced hands,without, I believe, losing any musical effect.



Ihave tried to make this arrangement flexible. Therefore, it is set in 2sections. A grade 1-2 guitarist can play just the first half, twice for acomplete performance. The second half has a thicker texture, with a ?flatpicking? technique applied to the thumb. Here, the thumb plays the lower notes onall four beats of the bar.



This downloadprovides one version with only notes, and a second in notes and TAB (in this singledownload). I am aware that many teachers dislike TAB, so you are given the choice.

Professionalplayers looking for light repertoire ? perhaps for restaurant or wedding work ?can fill out the parts spontaneously. The chord sequence is obvious to those withmore experience.

Personally speaking, I sometimes play the arrangement with a capo at fret 3 or 4 to vary the timbres heard in a concert programme.

I hope very muchthat you enjoy playing this version of The Sound of Silence. To see andhear my arrangements for learners, professionals, and ensembles, please visit www.danjonesguitarist.com.I have also written a memoir of working as a guitarist in rural France. Pleasesee www.danjonesauthor.com.

I will upload a YouTube video and lesson before the end of February 2021.

THANK YOU! DanJones, Perthshire, Scotland, February 2021

Speed of Sound by Coldplay

Speed of Sound is an enormously-successful song by the British rock band Coldplay. It was the first single to be released from the band?s 2005 album X & Y.

Your single download will give you an introduction, a score in both notes and TAB and a score with just notes.

The melodies and warm harmonies make it ideal for arrangement for solo instruments and ensembles.
This arrangement is perfect for concerts, encores, wedding repertoire and background music. It is technically and musically appropriate for players of an intermediate standard.

Dan?s arrangements for solo guitar and ensembles for all levels can be heard at www.danjonesguitarist.com. Links to downloads are also available in all video descriptions.

If you would like to perform a concert set of Coldplay songs, as I do, you will find solo arrangements of Fix You and Clocks for download at the website noted above.

Thank you for listening and I hope very much that you and your audiences enjoy Speed of Sound as much as I have enjoyed arranging and playing it.

Clocks - Coldplay

Clocks is an enormously-successful song by the British rock band Coldplay.
It was released in 2002 on the band?s second studio album A Rush of Blood to the Head.

The iconic, modal piano theme, contrapuntal melodies and classical structure make it highly suited to
arrangement for solo instruments and ensembles.

This arrangement is ideal for concert works, encores, wedding repertoire and background music. It is technically and musically appropriate for players of an intermediate/advanced standard.

Some bars present players with considerable technical challenges so alternative solutions are offered.

Dan?s arrangements for solo guitar and ensembles for all levels can be heard at www.danjonesguitarist.com.

Links to downloads are also available in all video descriptions.

Thank you for listening and I hope very much that you and your audiences enjoy Clocks as much as I have enjoyed arranging and playing it.

A full recording can be heard here: https://soundcloud.com/user-115466245/clocks

A video will be uploaded here before the end of March 2020.

CalumScott?s You Are The Reason is ahugely popular ballad, particularly with younger listeners.

This arrangementcomes in two versions - both are provided with a single purchase (download);

These are: Notes and TAB and Notes Only. Full fingering is given provided by the arranger.

You Are The Reason is suitable for intermediateto advanced players and is an ideal addition to the repertoire of the workingguitarist for concert items, wedding music and background repertoire.

A film of the arranger performing the piece is can be seen by clicking the 'watch' link below. You can hear a recording on Soundcloud here: https://soundcloud.com/user-115466245





Dan hasa wealth of music for solo guitar and ensembles of all levels available forimmediate download. For videos and recordings please visit www.danjonesguitarist.com.

Dan isalso an author. His memoir of musical and family life in rural France, Extracting Goats from Jean-Claude?s Kitchen ishugely popular amongst Francophiles and musicians alike. Please visit www.danjonesauthor.com.

The Water is Wide is a beautiful song of longing and separation. There appears to be confusion as to its origins; some writers saying it is Scottish and others claiming its roots to be English. It is also known as ?O Waly Waly? or just ?Waly Waly?.

While living and working in France I discovered a hugely-popular version by the singer-songwriter Renaud. His version is entitled La Ballade Nord-Irlandaise and is a pacifist song referring to the troubles in Northern Ireland.



This arrangement is designed for more-experienced players. It is an excellent item for concert programmes, encores, weddings or background music.

The single download provides the music in both notes and TAB.

This arrangement can be heard on Dan's solo CD 'Les Cerisiers'. This can be heard on all major streaming sites or a disc purchased through Dan's website mentioned below.

To see and hear Dan?s wide range of arrangements for solo guitar, guitar duet and ensembles please visit: www.danjonesguitarist.com

To read of Dan?s life as a musician and family man in rural France, please visit: www.danjonesauthor.com