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

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

Having learned to play guitar listening to Beach Boys' records, I have to admit they remain a guilty pleasure. This has been a perennial favorite and is a great tune to have under the fingers for Christmas gigs. My recordings are slightly different from the print copy which is probably more true to the original recording but I hope they're helpful.
Please check out my other Christmas arrangements: The Holly and the Ivy, The Carol of the Bells (Ukrainian Carol), In the Bleak Mid Winter Gesu Bambino, See Amid the Winter's Snow, Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming, Bring a Torch Jeanette, Isabella, Hear We Come a'Wassailing, Ding Dong Merrily on High, While By My Sheep, and more to come. Send questions, comments and suggestions to ewrightguitar@aol.com. Thanks. .

Chariots ofFire is a classic film, made in 1981, telling the story of twoBritish athletes working towards the 1924 Olympic Games. The theme music, byVangelis, is as iconic as the movie itself.

As a guitarteacher, I am often looking for melodies which can be played by plectrum(electric) guitar, rather than chords or riffs. This arrangement serves thatpurpose. It can, of course, be played by classical or acoustic players as well.

The arrangement also features chord symbols. These could be played by a teacher, or another pupil. I have provided aversion in notes and TAB and a separate page with just the notes, for teachersor players who wish to avoid TAB.

Theoriginal music is in the key of D flat major. I have transposed this to D major,which is far more suitable for guitar.

For awealth of other arrangements, please see www.danjonesguitarist.com and also,check out my writings at www.danjonesauthor.com.

I will upload a YouTube video and lesson in the coming weeks.



Thank you,and I hope that you enjoy the music.

I often lean more towards making something idiomatic for guitar rather than complete historical accuracy, and this piece is no different. IMSLP is the best place to go if you are really looking for the originals. The melody seems to be intact, but I take some liberties with the harmony to make it flow well on guitar. This version also only has the main theme. Also, since I make these primarily as a learning tool, making a super lengthy full version is not ideal. 1. Guitar tablature added. 2. Harmonies changed to be idiomatic for guitar 3. Octave differences 4. Famous except only 5. Guitar chord charts added 6. Composer indications added. 7. Letter names added to aid in sight-reading.

This is a simple, short arrangement of the lovely Scottish song 'Annie Laurie' for solo guitar.

The technical and musical level is suitable for early-years guitarists. The ABRSM grade level is approximately Grade 2 and for other boards, where the technical requirements are more relaxed, Grade 3.

Exam boards across the world are now offering online video submissions to replace existing grades. Candidates are required to perform some set repertoire but also free choice music. This piece is ideal for Grade 2-3 standard players (2nd-3rd year). Annie Laurie also makes an excellent piece of repertoire and the addition of chords makes it a possible ensemble piece. I will upload a YouTube video before the end of September 2020.

For a wealth of repertoire choices for solo and ensemble guitar, please see www.danjonesguitarist.com.