Below is a broad selection of films showing some of my work for guitar ensemble. Many of these pieces are popular works, ideal for teachers, amateur groups, music schools and summer schools. Others are suited for professional-level ensembles. Most scores are available for immediate download by clicking the given links. If you would like to ask about an unpublished score, just drop me an email.
Ensemble Arrangements and Compositions
Theme from pirates of the caribbean ‘He’s A pirate!’
Sure to be popular with younger players! A score and parts are available here.
Habanera from Carmen – georges bizet
The beautiful aria from Carmen arranged in four parts. Score and parts available here.
baby can i hold you – tracy chapman
This is an easier arrangement, with a part for those who like to strum chords ad. lib. It is available here.
BITTERSWEET SYMPHONY – THE VERVE
Bittersweet Symphony is an iconic masterpiece of the 1990’s, with its sample taken from a string orchestra arrangement of ‘The Last Time’ by The Rolling Stones, it caused The Verve a legal headache, but gave us a rock classic. You can download a score and parts here.
THE THEME FROM GAME OF THRONES
This is the first of two arrangements generously commissioned by l’Ensemble Guitare de Basse-Goulaine. A score and parts are available here.
Brindisi from La Traviata by Verdi for Guitar quartet
This is one of the most popular of all opera arias. Brindisi is a song celebrating good wine, beer and drink of all kinds. This arrangement is suitable for more-advanced guitarists. The score and parts, in notes and TAB are available here.
Live and let die for guitar quartet by paul mccartney and wings
This classic film theme has been arranged as a showpiece for more-advanced ensembles. It’s percussion and rapid passages make a great piece of repertoire or encore piece! The score and parts in notes and TAB can be downloaded here.
sweet caroline by neil diamond
I have always loved this beautiful song; its energy and wonderful orchestration. This arrangement is suitable for intermediate-level players. As the song is enjoying a resurgence in popularity due to its use at sporting events, it would make an excellent concert item for school groups or music societies. The score and parts, in notes and TAB are available here.
You Are the sunshine of my life by stevie wonder arranged for guitar quartet
This must be one of the most misunderstood pieces of music ever written. Often trivialised due to the light, sentimental nature of the lyric, this piece contains a level of musical complexity rarely seen in the pop world. The use of whole-tone scales, remote modulations and altered dominant chords is breath-taking. This arrangement is for guitar quartet and makes a wonderful repertoire/encore piece. The score and parts, in notes and TAB are available here.
ye banks and braes o’bonnie doon – trad. scottish song after robert burns
As a teacher I feel it is very important for younger ands less experienced students to enjoy the ensemble experience. This simple arrangement of a beautiful, simple pentatonic melody is ideal for such groups. More-advanced players can strum chords according to the symbols given in the parts. All material is offered in notes and TAB and can be downloaded here.
EVERYBODY wants to rule the world for intermediate quartet/ensemble
A pupil suggested I arranged this song and it’s been a great fun project! Suitable for more-experienced players, the percussion and drone bass were really enjoyable to play. The score and parts (in notes only and notes with TAB) are available here, or you can contact me.
samba pa ti by carlos santana for two guitars
I have always loved the heart-on-sleeve guitar playing of Carlos Santana. This melody is great for classical, acoustic or electric players and it has been very popular amongst my own pupils. The score leaves a section for improvisation and has a suggested, simple scale pattern. The second guitar part is very easy – it is a set of arpeggiated chords. Chords symbols are also given for those wishing to play more spontaneously. The score and parts, in notes and TAB, are available here.
take me home, country roads, for easy quartet
A beautiful, poignant song, loved by all generations. This setting is quite straight-forward, and has an easier guitar 3 part for new players. The score (in notes and TAB) are available here.
AFRICA BY TOTO for guitar quartet
What a great piece of music this is! The harmonic progressions, modulations and melodies are truly ingenious. A much-misunderstood work which is full of wit and flair. Quite a tricky one this – more suited for advanced players, but really worth the work! The score and parts, in notes and TAB can be downloaded here.
waltz from swan lake (tchaikovsky) for easy guitar quartet
A truly iconic and much-loved melody. This easy version is great for school groups. The score and parts (in notes and TAB) are available here.
Mull Of Kintyre by Paul McCartney and wings for easy/intermediate quartet
This beautiful song is deceptively complex. The simple pentatonic melody and chord sequence conceals a series of tonic/subdominant modulations which give the music a great sense of drive and momentum. A masterpiece. The score and parts (in notes and TAB) are available here.
in the bleak midwinter by holst for guitar quartet
I think this is my favourite Christmas carol. The haunting melody and simple harmonies are just beautiful, even if the words give a distinctly Northern-European view of Christmas! Of course, as all experienced teachers know – there’s no time like the present to prepare for your Christmas concerts!
Three Little Birds by bob marley for intermediate quartet
This beautiful song demonstrates Bob Marley’s ability to write wonderful, uplifting melodies, with a spiritual edge. Some have said that the lyric: ‘Don’t worry, about a thing…’ is inspired by the Sermon on the Mount. Whatever the inspiration, the countermelodies and syncopated, dissonant bass line make a fabulous, popular concert piece. The score and parts (in notes and TAB) are available here.
albatross by fleetwood mac for guitar quartet
This is such a magnificent piece – incredibly simple with just two chords, but the sparseness and restraint make it an absolute masterpiece. I’ve arranged and performed it here for four guitars. The score and parts (in notes and TAB) can be downloaded here.
‘sailing’ (sir rod stewart) for guitar quartet
This melody is so beautiful. I’ve tried to reflect the sense of nostalgia and wistfulness in this arrangement. The film was made outdoors on a rare, sunny day in Perthshire. The arrangement is suitable for intermediate players. The score and parts (in notes and TAB) can be downloaded here.
Three Traditional German Christmas Songs
I have been blessed to have befriended a group of guitarists from Bavaria, South Germany, who have been playing many of my arrangements. I hope very much to visit them soon. As a thank you, I arranged three Christmas songs for them. The melodies are very calming and make an interesting and unusual concert work for those Christmas events. The score and parts (in notes and TAB) are available here.
the priests’ march from the magic flute by mozart
It struck me that I had been arranging mainly popular and traditional pieces, so I thought I would return to the classical repertoire, and the works of one of the greats: W. A. Mozart. This wonderful instrumental piece is taken from his operatic masterpiece ‘The Magic Flute’. The score and parts (in notes and TAB) are available here.
el noi de la mare for four guitars
This old Catalan Christmas melody was made iconic by the interpretations of the Spanish greats in the 20th Century. This arrangement gives a fresh harmonisation for early-intermediate players. Everyone has a chance to enjoy the tune! A huge thank you to my lovely friends who gave their considerable gifts to remotely record parts for me. I am blessed. The score and parts (in notes and TAB) are available here.
This arrangement of the glorious Cradle Song (Wiegenlied) by Brahms is a huge favourite amongst players and audiences alike. I wanted to create a version which allowed relatively new players to enjoy performing sections of the tune and accompaniment. The score and parts (in notes and TAB) are available here.
rocky road to dublin
I was recently introduced to this fabulous song, written in the style of a slip jig. The arrangement is in four parts, intended for more-experienced players. You’ll see that the parts are balanced with everyone enjoying playing the tune! You can download a score and parts (in both notes and TAB) here.
I’m so happy and proud of this project! At the beginning of the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown I arranged ‘The Boxer’ by Simon and Garfunkel for guitar ensemble. I sought out players who may have been interested in contributing their gifts and within days I had received offers from Brazil, Australia, Norway, England, Wales, Uruguay and more… Despite differences in culture, language and continent, we just got on with making music. I love the result. The score and parts in notes and TAB are available for downloaded here.
There are many beautiful pop songs which transcribe perfectly for ensembles of guitars. This melody – Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol – was the most-played song on UK radio in the first decade of this century. It is a very charming, simple melody and is very popular amongst players and audiences alike. The score and parts (in notes and TAB on separate sheets) are available here.
It’s nearly Christmas, (well, it was when I posted this…). This is an arrangement of the beautiful song by Howard Blake ‘Walking in the Air’. It was made famous in the film ‘The Snowman’ and later by the hit single recorded by Aled Jones. A huge thank you to my fellow Welsh guitarists Chris Ackland, Chris Roberts and Cai Charles for recording parts remotely on my behalf. The score and parts (in notes and TAB) can be downloaded here.
I was introduced to this beautiful song by a pupil. I immediately thought it would be ideal for an arrangement in a range of styles. The arrangement of Christina Perri’s ‘A Thousand Years’ features optional parts for a guitar with a capo and a bass guitar. All is provided in notes and TAB and can be downloaded here.
I search high and low to find interesting repertoire with musical integrity for my ensemble arrangements. Enya’s beautiful mix of Celtic, Classical and Popular styles make rich pickings. This arrangement of Orinoco Flow can be downloaded here.
It is important to provide ensemble material for beginners’ ensembles. Arrangements should provide melodic interest for all parts. The music should be comfortable for developing fingers and pentatonic shapes are ideal for this. The right hand must have stability so the arrangement should allow for solid anchoring with either a finger or the thumb. This new arrangement of The Theme From The New World Symphony by Antonio Dvorak addresses all of these issues. The score and parts, in notes and TAB, are available for immediate download here.
This is my new arrangement of the beautiful Peruvian melody El Cóndor Pasa, famously covered by Simon and Garfunkel under the title ‘If I Could’. It is designed for beginner guitar ensembles. There are two guitar one parts provided, one with some of the higher position playing simplified. Other parts are optional as demonstrated in the video. A score and parts are available for immediate download here.
A few weeks ago my family and I were invited to play at a Burn’s Night supper. During the evening I was introduced to this beautiful lament and I knew immediately that it would sit beautifully on two guitars. The score and parts can be downloaded in both notes and TAB here.
This is my arrangement of the beautiful song ‘You’re My Best Friend’ by Queen. In choosing this, I was seeking a song with harmonic depth and melodic integrity. I’m very happy with the result and I think it makes a truly original piece of repertoire for intermediate ensembles. A score and parts are available for immediate download here.
The score and parts to A Scottish Medley are available for immediate download here. It was premiered at The Cawsand Bay Guitarfest in September 2019.
This arrangement of Annie’s Song, by John Denver – one of the most beautiful songs of the folk/pop repertoire is now published by sheetmusicplus. A score and parts are available for immediate download here.
The Sound of Silence is an iconic melody of the 1960’s and one of my most popular arrangements. The sheet music (score and parts) can be downloaded here.
This arrangement of Apache by The Shadows is very versatile. All parts can be performed by all styles of guitarist: classical, acoustic, electric and bass. It also allows electric players to learn a substantial melody rather than simple chords or riffs. The guitar 1 part is provided in both TAB and notes on independent sheets. Guitar 4 is also given in both treble and bass clefs. The entire scoreand parts package is available in a single download here
It struck me that the classically-inspired writing of Procul Harem’s masterpiece A Whiter Shade of Pale would make a terrific arrangement for intermediate-level guitarists. I’m really happy with the result! A score and parts are available for download in one click here.
This version of John Lennon’s Imagine is suitable for first-year guitarists. I have performed it with my pupils many times and it is always very popular with students and audiences alike. A score and parts are available in a single download here.
Hallelujah is another very popular arrangement – designed for early-level guitarists. It is a stunningly beautiful melody and always popular amonst players and audiences alike. A score and parts can be downloaded here.
The River Flows in You is a beautiful, ambient post-modernist piece written by the pianist Yiruma. I have arranged it so that it is idiomatic and comfortable to play on guitars. A score and parts are available here.
This is my newest arrangement Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton. I thought I’d record it on the archtop for the sheer pleasure of it! A score and parts are available here.
This arrangement of Fields of Gold has been performed across Europe. You will find a number of recorded performances on YouTube, including me directing a guitar orchestra at the Chateau de Ligoure in 2012. My home recording is shown below and you can download a score and parts in one click here.
The score and parts for the ensemble version of Carrickfergus (as opposed to the solo version above) can be downloaded here.
The score and parts for Canon on Tongo can be downloaded here. It is a four part canon built on a Polynesian traditional melody and structured on golden section principles. It has been performed at guitar festivals across the UK and France.
The score and parts for El Noi de la Mare can be downloaded here. It has been performed at The Cardiff Guitar Festival.
The score and parts to the Hyon Do Fantasia will be published soon. In the meantime, please contact Dan via the contact page.
The score and parts to Campana Sobre Campana can be downloaded here. It is a beautiful Catalan Christmas melody and this arrangement is suitable for a guitar orchestra featuring all standards of player, from beginners to advanced.
This arrangement of No Matter What is available as a gift from me. Just drop me a message via the contact page and I’ll send you a score and parts in pdf format with no strings attached.
Dan Jones 