Derek Hasted's News...

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    300+   pieces for sale : 1-6 guitars and for guitar & flute, guitar & clarinet
    GREAT for School Guitar Teachers
    GREAT for ensembles with limited chances to rehearse
November

November 2023

New Arrangements - One Last Wish from Casper

This is a charming melody interspersed with lush chromatic harmonies, making a delightful concert piece, whether one has seen the film or not.

I have a number of arrangements - the most straightforward is for 3 guitars, giving a big sound for not too much effort.

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New Arrangement - John Dunbar's Theme from Dances With Wolves

Before I started this arrangement, I was unsure whether guitars could ever create the same feeling as the long, sustained notes of the strings in the original film soundtrack.
Have a listen to the 30-second soundclip and I hope you like what you hear...

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John Dunbar's Theme from Dances With Wolves - for intermediate guitar quartet or large ensemble arr. Derek Hasted

John Dunbar's Theme
Dances With Wolves

John Dunbar's Theme
from Dances With Wolves

$4.99 Intermediate level

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October

October 2023

New Arrangement - Variations on "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen"

Lasting almost 4 minutes, this piece presents four variations on the famous Christmas Carol, in four different styles (including Tango), with a nod to some famous music on the way too.

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New Arrangement - White Christmas

This evocative classic (first made famous by Bing Crosby, and followed by dozens more versions) makes its appearance here as a very playable arrangement for 4 early intermediate guitars, with guitar 4 in treble and bass clef. It works well as a large ensemble too.

Unlike many arrangements, the less-well-known introduction is also included, though this can be omitted if desired.

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White Christmas- easy arrangement for early intermediate guitar quartet or large ensemble arr. Derek Hasted

White Christmas
Irving Berlin

White Christmas
Simple & Evocative!

$4.99 Early Intermediate level

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Last night's Strictly Come Dancing

Last night's episode of Strictly on BBC One included a Waltz to Calum Scott's "You Are The Reason"

Click here and you'll find accessible versions I've arranged for

New Arrangements - Two Little Fugues

Many guitarists ar familiar with Domenico Zipoli's "Little Fugue" which is deceptively awkward if it's to sound relaxed. As a duet it's much more fun, and my edition also includes Zipoli's Fughetta.

Both pieces are re-working into a shared key - one in A Major and one in A minor, so that they can be played in sequence in either order.

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Two Little Fugues (Zipoli) for intermediate guitar duet Teacher/Student or performance duets arr. Derek Hasted

Two Little Fugues
Zipoli

Two Little Fugues
2 pieces in one edition

$1.99 Intermediate level

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New Arrangement - Love Of My Life

This absolute classic by Freddie Mercury and Queen makes a wonderful, intimate and charming piece of music for guitar.

My arrangement is based on Queen's official video, and keeps the same key and all of the verses.

It's of intermediate standard. There are two versions - one which is tune and accompaniment (ideal for a duo of mixed abilities) and one where each player takes the tune and accompaniment in turn - equal challenges and a wonderful crowd-pleaser as a result.

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September

September 2023

New Arrangement - Saman

Maybe this amazingly gentle, haunting piece has passed you by - well, click on the link and have a listen to the 30-second soundclip ... although there are arrangements of this piece (originally for piano) for solo guitar they are hard to make sound relaxed. But it works wonderfully as a duet, and with a key-change to bring it into the sweet spot of the guitar's range.

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Saman for intermediate guitar duet (arranged by Derek Hasted)

Saman
Olafur Arnalds

Saman
Beautiful, gentle music

$4.99 Intermediate level

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New Arrangement - Jamaica Farewell

One of the cornerstones of my arranging work is to write music that's not too demanding, simply because most amateur ensembles have limited time to meet together.

Here's an accessible arrangement of the well-known "Jamaica Farewell", made famous by Harry Belafonte - some are surprised that this isn't a public-domain folk song, but actually it's quite a recent work by Irving Burgie, and still in copyright. My arrangement has copyright clearance and royalties are paid to the copyright owner, so download and you're good to go.

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Jamaica Farewell - easy arrangement for early intermediate guitar quartet or large ensemble arr. Derek Hasted

Jamaica Farewell
Fun arrangement

Jamaica Farewell
with percussion effects

$4.99 Early Intermediate level

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New Arrangement - Lay All Your Love On Me (Abba)

Following on from the success of my arrangements of Mamma Mia and The Winner Takes It All, I'm delighted to tell you that I've arranged another crowd pleaser - a full-length version of the Abba song "Lay All Your Love On Me"
It's perfect for intermediate players, and there's plenty of interest for everyone, with a very up-beat disco/funk feel.

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Lay All Your Love On Me (Abba) for intermediate guitar quartet or large ensemble arr. Derek Hasted

Lay All Your Love On Me
Abba

Lay All Your Love On Me
Crowd pleaser!

$4.99 Intermediate level
Guitar 4 in both treble & bass clefs

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August

August 2023

New arrangements - Feed The Birds (from Mary Poppins)

This charmingly simple but haunting melody is one that concert audiences will be humming all the way home!

I've arranged this music for guitars and for guitar + flute or Bb clarinet - all the verses are present, plus the instrumental break that's in the original film score too.

These arrangements are at intermediate standard.

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New Arrangement - The Winner Takes It All

Following on from the success of my arrangement of Mamma Mia, I'm delighted to tell you that I've arranged another crowd pleaser - a full-length version of the Abba classic "The Winner Takes It All"
It's perfect for intermediate players, and there's plenty of interest for everyone!

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The Winner Takes It All (Abba) for intermediate guitar quartet or large ensemble arr. Derek Hasted

The Winner Takes It All
Abba

The Winner Takes It All
Crowd pleaser!

$4.99 Intermediate level

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New arrangement - The Sussex Carol

No, this isn't a commission from Harrry and Meghan, it''s my take on the traditional English Carol collected by Cecil Sharp and Ralph Vaughan Williams.
Suitable for early intermediate players, there's plenty of interest for everyone!

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the Sussex Carol - Trad Christmas Carol for 3 early intermediate guitars or large ensemble arr. Derek Hasted

The Sussex Carol
(Trad. English)

The Sussex Carol
Joyful accessible piece!

$1.99 Early Intermediate level

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New arrangement - Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella

Inspired by a simple arrangement I made, this one is for players with a little more experience, and has three verses each with a different orchestration.

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Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella - Trad Christmas Carol for 3 intermediate guitars or large ensemble arr. Derek Hasted

Bring A Torch,
Jeanette, Isabella

Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella
Trad French Carol

$1.99 Intermediate level

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New arrangement - Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da (Lennon and McCartney)

Here's a very straight-forward crowd-pleaser that will get toes tapping in all age groups! Ideal for School concerts or for a fun item in an Adult concert.

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Obladi Oblada by The Beatles arr. for 4 guitars/large ensemble by Derek Hasted

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
Lennon & McCartney

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
4 Guitars/Large Ensemble

$4.99 Early Intermediate level

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New arrangements - Mark Knopfler's "Wild Theme"

Sometimes rightly described as the most beautiful melody, this is an astonishingly lovely and substantial Concert item that players and audience will enjoy in equal measure - confortable under the fingers and with a wonderful sound that really suits classical guitar well.

I've arranged this music for guitars and for guitar + a variety of other melody instruments.

These arrangements are at either intermediate standard or advanced intermediate - something for everyone who wants to play this spectacular piece of music.

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July

July 2023

New arrangements - Corelli's Christmas Concerto

This is a lovely and substantial Concert item that players and audience will enjoy in equal measure - confortable under the fingers and with a wonderful sound that really suits guitar well.

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New arrangement - Bach's Prelude from BWV 998

There's not many guitarists who don't know this very playable Prelude from Bach, but my arrangement for two guitars is that little bit easier and the phrasing a lot more dramatic - the stereo effect is a real crowd-pleaser.

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Bach Prelude from BWV 998 - arranged for 2 guitars by Derek Hasted

Prelude (BWV 998)
JS Bach

Prelude from BWV 998
Arranged for 2 guitars

$1.99 Intermediate level

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June

June 2023

The photo above is from The Macclesfield Canal.

May

May 2023

You're right - it's been quiet here - so many jobs to do around the new house.
But you'll see that the photos for each month from now on are from a new part of the UK!

The photo above is from The Prince's Incline, Higher Poynton

April

April 2023

It's been quiet here - the first part of April has been taken up with frantically packing everything in our former home in Bedhampton, ready to move to Higher Poynton to be closer to family.

On April 25th we moved into a bungalow on the edge of open country - what a change!

From this...

Bedhampton, Hampshire

 

To this...

Poynton, Cheshire East

March

March 2023

New arrangement - Mika's The Origin Of Love

This very accessible guitar trio is an arrangement Mika's "Origin Of Love", inspired by Mika's appearance on the TV Series "The Piano"

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Origin Of Love (Mika) - for 3 intermediate guitars or large ensemble arr. Derek Hasted

Origin Of Love
Mika

Origin Of Love
Mika

$4.99 Intermediate level

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New arrangement - Song For A New Beginning

This very accessible guitar trio is an arrangement of the beautiful melody by Rolf Løvland, performed by Secret Garden.

I chose this music as my final arrangement for The Guitar Workshop, which I have been running for 35 years, and which will have a New Beginning with a new leader very soon - watch this website for more information!

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Song For A New Beginning (Secret Garden) - for 3 early intermediate guitars arr. Derek Hasted

Song For
A New Beginning

Song For A New Beginning
Secret Garden

$4.99 Early intermediate level

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February

February 2023

New arrangements - Old Ned (Steptoe & Son TV Theme)

This accessible duet version of the famous theme from TV's "Steptoe & Son" is great fun to play. A little bit of trickery makes it sound like the original without being anything like as scary to play!

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New arrangement - The Easy Winners (Scott Joplin)

For 3 guitars or a large ensemble, this early intermediate piece captures what many say is Joplin's finest Ragtime piece. Guitar 3 is tuned to 6=D and the whole arrangement is in guitar-friendly keys

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The Easy Winners (Scott Joplin) - for 3 early intermediate guitars arr. Derek Hasted

The Easy Winners
Scott Joplin

The Easy Winners
3 guitars/large ensemble

$1.99 Early intermediate level

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January

January 2023

NEW - Albatross (Fleetwood Mac) - 4 Guitars/large ensemble

Albatross has become one of the great classics - a Top 40 instrumental that's slow and easy to play. My new arrangement for 4 guitars (or a larger ensemble) is a real crowd pleaser.

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Albatross (Fleetwood Mac) - for 4 guitars arr. Derek Hasted

Albatross
Fleetwood Mac

Albatross
Fleetwood Mac

$4.99 Early Intermediate level

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Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all my visitors - I hope your 2023 is everything you wish it to be!

December

December 2022

Happy Christmas!

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Workshop Christmas Concert

Christmas Concert

As you know, I run the Hampshire Guitar Workshop, and we're back to holding concerts in aid of local charities.

Our concert this year was on December 8th and raised over £460 for "Young Lives vs Cancer"

What a busy month!

November was the busiest month yet for the sales of Christmas ensembles from my shop.

November

November 2022

Ding Dong Merrily On High

There's just time to publish one more Christmas arrangement for your Christmas concert or event - it's Ding Dong Merrily On High, a gloriously busy (but very playable) arrangement that begins with chimes and peals of bells and ends with ... Big Ben.

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Cinema Paradiso

This lovely video has recenty appeared on YouTube playing my arrangement of Cinema Paradiso

Read more about my arrangement of Cinema Paradiso here...

Rhythm Of Life - 4 guitars/large ensemble

This arrangement is based on a real crowd pleaser that was played by the Hampshire Guitar Orchestra - a real foot-tapper.

It's a little tougher for Guitar 1 than many of my arrangements, but there is an alternative for the hardest 8-bar section which is easy to play.

Read more/see/hear Rhythm Of Life here ...

Rhythm Of Life (Sweet Charity) - for 4 guitars arranged by Derek Hasted

Rhythm Of Life
Cy Coleman

Rhythm Of Life 4 guitars
(from Sweet Charity)

$4.99 Intermediate level

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Carol Of The Bells - 4 guitars

My easy-to-play arrangement by Ukrainian composer Leontovych is currently my fastest selling piece.

If you teach or lead an ensemble, this Christmas piece comes together really quickly, so there's still time to squeeze it into your Christmas Concert!

Read more/see/hear Carol Of The Bells here ...

Carol Of The Bells - for 4 guitars arr. Derek Hasted


Carol Of The Bells

Carol Of The Bells
Mykola Leontovych

$2.99 Beginner level

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La Bamba - 4 (or 5) guitars

This arrangement is based on a real crowd pleaser that was played by the Hampshire Guitar Orchestra - a real foot-tapper.

It's easy to play, and the optional fifth guitar part would suit a beginner guitarist or a bass instrument (it's supplied in treble and bass clef versions).

Easy to put together, it makes a massive wall of sound!

Read more/see/hear La Bamba here ...

La Bamba - for 4 guitars arr. Derek Hasted

La Bamba
Ritchie Valens

La Bamba 4 guitars
with additional 5th part
Also listed under 5 guitars

$4.99 Intermediate level

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October

October 2022

Dick Barton (Ddevil's Galop music)

Devil's Galop (the Dick Barton Theme Tune)

This exciting piece, written by Charles Williams (I've also arranged his glorious "Dream of Olwen") is hard to play at full speed, but makes a wonderful concert piece.

Due to copyright restrictions, my arrangements may not always be available in every country worldwide...

Read more about my flute and guitar and my guitar duet arrangements here

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O Holy Night - 3 guitars

Here's a very accessible and comfortable arrangement of this famous Christmas piece and at a great price too. Ideal for a large ensemble too, and the parts are suitable for those with limited experience of guitar.

Read more/see/hear O Holy Night here ...

O Holy Night - very accessible arrangement for 3 guitars by Derek Hasted

O Holy Night
by Adolphe Adam

O Holy Night

$1.99 Early intermediate level

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Carol Of The Drum - 6 guitars

This arrangement of the well-known piece (often called Little Drummer Boy) suits 6 guitars or a large ensemble, and it's not at all taxing to play!

Guitar 6 requres 6=D but is suitable for a player with limited experience. The other lines are slightly more busy but are early intermediate standard.

This piece builds and builds!

Read more/see/hear Carol of The Drum here ...

Carol Of The Drum (Little Drummer Boy) arr. Derek Hasted

Carol Of The Drum
Little Drummer Boy

Easy Christmas Piece
6 guitars or large ensemble

$4.99 Early Intermediate

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Picture of one of my arrangements

Busy busy!

It's been a busy month just gone for sales of my Accessible Contemporary Ensembles, and I've also been busy adding to the number of arrangements you can play.

You can see and hear a little of each arrangement before you buy an instant download, to make sure it's ideal for your ensemble.

September

September 2022

Elizabethan Serenade - 6 guitars (or 5+bass)

This arrangement suits 6 guitars or a large ensemble, and it's not at all taxing to play!

Guitar 6 is supplied in treble and bass clefs, so it can be played on guitar, bass guitar or double bass, or on a mixture.

The piece is early intemediate (the top line is perhaps intermediate), but more experienced players will find that a slightly faster tempo helps the tune's sustain. There are plenty of dynamics and these make the piece come alive.

Read more/see/hear Elizabethan Serenade here ...

Elizabethan Serenade (Ronald Binge) arr. Derek Hasted

Elizabethan Serenade
Ron Binge

Timeless gentle music
for 6 guitars or 5+bass

$4.99 Early Intermediate

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Clearance Sale!

I'm reducing stocks of 3 titles in my printed books range - your chance to pick up 3 popular titles at half-price or less!

Visit my shop, pick the area of the world where you live (so we can calculate postage), and look for the red SALE flags...

The Teddy Bears' Picnic

First published in 1907, this is a real crowd-pleaser in concert - ideal to close the first half or as an encore.

It suits 2 advanced-intemediate guitarists, more for the speed than the notes.

My arrangement, in the same keys as the original, is deliberately straightforward so that the piece works and can be played with the confidence and volume that the original demands.

This will be a concert item the audience doesn't forget!

Read more/see/hear The Teddy Bears' Picnic here ...

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Christmas Ensembles

These pieces were originally only available in printed form. Now, by popular demand, here they are as instant downloads - a total of 12 less-familiar Christmas pieces.

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As the weather here in the UK starts to feel distinctly autumnal, many Guitar teachers are already preparing for their Christmas concerts by trying one or more of my Christmas Ensemble arrangements ...

Especially popular is "Carol Of The Bells", the tune of which is a Ukrainian folk tune, and it's made August my busiest month for music sales so far in 2022.

 

Thank you all - I hope your concerts go well!

Carol Of The Bells - for 4 guitars arr. Derek Hasted


Carol Of The Bells

Carol Of The Bells
Mykola Leontovych

$2.99 Beginner level

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August

August 2022

Raymond Briggs - The Snowman

RIP Raymond Briggs, prolific author, and famous for writing The Snowman, the basis of the now classic Christmas film.

One of my first published arrangements was "Walking In The Air" - a fantastically popular and haunting Christmas piece.

Read more/see/hear Walking In The Air here...

Walking In The Air (The Snowman) - for 4 guitars arr. Derek Hasted

Walking In The Air
The Snowman

Walking In The Air 4 guitars
Howard Blake - "The Snowman"

$4.99 Early intermediate level

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July

July 2022

Portsmouth - Guitar Quartet/large ensemble

Made famous by Mike Oldfield, this traditional Hornpipe was actually first published in 1701. My arrangement sneaks in a little bit of "What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor" and makes a spectacular concert item, running to about 5 minutes and building up as the piece progresses.

Read more/see/hear Portsmouth here...

Portsmouth - for 4 intermediate guitars arr. Derek Hasted

Portsmouth
Traditional

Portsmouth
4 guitars/large ensemble

$3.99 Intermediate level

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Planxty Three - Guitar Trio/large ensemble

Turlough O'Carolan, the blind Irish Harpist, wrote arguably some of the finest melodies one can enjoy.

Here are three of his pieces - Planxy Irwin, Planxty Sir George Brabazon and the wonderfully titled Planxty Sir Festus Burke. Together they form a contrasting suite - three distinct moods, and all at the early intermediate to intermediate standard.

Read more/see/hear Planxty Three here...

Planxty Three - three Celtic pieces by Carolan arr. Derek Hasted

Planxty Three
3 Carolan pieces

Planxty Three
Three Celtic Trios

$2.99 Intermediate level

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The Only Living Boy In New York

Written by Paul Simon when he was in New York without Art Garfunkel, this slightly poignant song makes a wonderful guitar and woodwind duet.

My arrangements are somewhere between Early Intermediate and Intermediate.

Read more about (and hear an excerpt of) my flute & guitar (and clarinet & guitar) arrangements here.

At the time of writing, my catalog has over 270 items. Check back here for future additions...

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