Product Description
The
Sound of Silence is
Paul Simons masterpiece. Released in 1965, Simon had written the track during
the two previous years. It was well worth the wait.
It
is an obvious choice as a piece of repertoire to arrange for the intermediate
guitarist, yet I have found that many arrangements include real technical
difficulties for the learner. This is often because of the choice of key. If
set in A minor, an F barre chord is encountered. Similarly, in D minor, a B
flat barre chord crops up. After much trial and error, I have created a version
in F sharp minor which is playable for younger and less experienced hands,
without, I believe, losing any musical effect.
I
have tried to make this arrangement flexible. Therefore, it is set in 2
sections. A grade 1-2 guitarist can play just the first half, twice for a
complete performance. The second half has a thicker texture, with a flat
picking technique applied to the thumb. Here, the thumb plays the lower notes on
all four beats of the bar.
This download
provides one version with only notes, and a second in notes and TAB (in this single
download). I am aware that many teachers dislike TAB, so you are given the choice.
Professional
players looking for light repertoire perhaps for restaurant or wedding work
can fill out the parts spontaneously. The chord sequence is obvious to those with
more 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 much
that you enjoy playing this version of The Sound of Silence. To see and
hear 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. Please
see www.danjonesauthor.com.
I will upload a YouTube video and lesson before the end of February 2021.
THANK YOU! Dan
Jones, Perthshire, Scotland, February 2021
This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard's global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.