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