Derek Hasted's News from 2019...

December

December 2019

Merry Christmas everyone!

Wishing all the many visitors to my websites a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Guitar Workshop in concert

My Guitar Workshop played a concert at St Nicholas Church Centre, Bedhampton, in aid of Myeloma UK, a charity concerned with this treatable but incurable blood cancer.

There was a wonderful variety of music on display and I'm thrilled to tell you that we raised £820.69 in aid of our chosen charity, bringing my fund-raising total at the time of the concert to over £80,000.

November

November 2019

Christmas Guitar Ensemble music

Check out my Christmas Guitar Ensemble music - some of the music is on special offer when you click to see and hear it (thank you to the shop for arranging all that for me!)

 

fusion in concert

My quartet played in community music concert in Bursledon at Greyladyes Arts Foundation (GAF).

There was a wonderful variety of music on display - it was great to be part of it.

October

October 2019

fusion in concert

My quartet played in a massive concert in St Paul's Ashford Hill - £1000 raised for charity! Here we are playing Jim Croce's "I'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song"

 

Pachelbel's Carol - 5 or 6 guitars (or large ensemble)

Most people know Pachelbel's Canon - the sequence of chords from which magic is woven.

Well, now there is more magic - this is Pachelbel's Canon as an accompaniment to The First Nowell!

I have published Pachelbel's Carol for...

Both are really easy and they'll amaze your audience!

See a list of all my downloadable arrangements

Trinity College Guitar Exams

I am so pleased to be able to tell you that one of my solo compositions (Regular Reggae, which was published in the Solo Now Preparatory book) has been chosen by Trinity College to be part of the 2020-2023 Grade 2 syllabus.

 

September

September 2019

When Santa Got Stuck Up The Chimney - 4 guitars

This is an easy quartet arrangement (also suits a large ensemble!) of a wonderful piece of nonsense with some lovely harmonic progressions. There are two "tune" parts - you can play either (or in a large ensemble, some of each), to suit the ability of your ensemble.

Read more/see/hear When Santa Got Stuck ...

When Santa Got Stuck Up The Chimney - for 4 guitars arr. Derek Hasted

When Santa Got Stuck
Up The Chimney

When Santa Got Stuck...
Fun nonsense by Jimmy Grafton

$4.99 Beginner level
With easy & intermediate tune part

See / hear / buy

 

See a list of all my downloadable contemporary arrangements

Calling all teachers & ensemble players!

I don't really want to start going on about Christmas so early in the autumn, but those who teach guitar in schools might already be having a panic about what to play in their Christmas concerts. And a lot of adult groups like to play festive music too.

So here's a little trailer of some of the Christmas music that I've arranged. All the ones on the video are for 4 guitars (or a large ensemble), and there are many more that I didn't have space to include, which you'll find on my Christmas Music page ...

 

See a list of all my downloadable contemporary arrangements

Mary Had A Baby - 6 guitars

This is a Christmas arrangement for 6 guitars (although the sound is even more exciting with several players on each line!). It's Spiritual from the 19th century.

The verses contain the phrase "and the train done gone" - a reference, it is widely believed, to the Gospel Train taking people to a better life. What a great excuse to underpin the music with the sound of the pistons and whistle of a steam engine!

 

Read more/see/hear Mary Had A Baby ...

Mary Had A Baby - for 6 guitars arr. Derek Hasted


Mary Had A Baby

Mary Had A Baby
Afro-American Traditional

$3.49 Early intermediate level

See / hear / buy

See a list of all my downloadable contemporary arrangements

The Trap (the London Marathon music)

This is an arrangement for 6 guitars (although the sound is even more exciting with several players on each line!)

Written by Ron Goodwin for the film "The Trap", it's been made even more famous by its use on television coverage of The London Marathon.

The piece is unusual for the repeated key changes which lift the mood time and again - it's a real delight to listen to!

 

 

Here's a snippet of the sound and the score...

Read moresee/hear "The Trap" here ...

See a list of all my downloadable contemporary arrangements

August

August 2019

Süßer die Glocken nie Klingen (German folk tune and Christmas Carol)

This is an easy arrangement for four guitars (or a large ensemble) of the charming Thuringian folk tune "Never sweeter the bells than at Christmas time".

This edition has two versions of the tune - one in first (or second) position, and one an octave higher (entirely in VII position) - you can play either (or in a large ensemble, both!)

Read more/see/hear Susser die Glocken ...

Suesser die Glocker - Never the Bells - for 4 guitars arr. Derek Hasted

Süßer die Glocken
nie Klingen

Suesser die Glocken nie Klingen
Traditional German

$2.99 Beginner level

See / hear / buy

See a list of all my downloadable contemporary arrangements

Grieg's "The Cowkeeper's Tune" (theme from The Woodentops)

This is an intermediate level arrangement for four guitars (or a large ensemble) of a charming pastoral piece by Edvard Elgar. As well as a lovely string version (in voices), there is also a piano version which was used as the opening music to the BBC TV Children's puppet show "The Woodentops".

Read more/see/hear The Woodentops here ...

The Cowkeeper's Tune - for 4 guitars arr. Derek Hasted

The Cowkeeper's Tune
(The Woodentops theme)

The Cowkeeper's Tune
Edvard Grieg

$2.99 Intermediate level

See / hear / buy

See a list of all my downloadable contemporary arrangements

Mobile-first website

I've converted most of the site now to a new "mobile first" set of web pages.

What does that mean? Simply that if you use a mobile to browse this website, the formatting information that gets sent to you is leaner and faster than the version sent to a desktop.

In short - faster loading, especially if you have a 3G connection...

Downloadable Music

Derek Hasted Guitar Arrangements

Another busy month so far for sales of my Accessible Contemporary Ensemble Music - accessible arrangements of modern pop items - easy to play and with a real audience appeal.

 

The latest addition to my catalogue is that powerful melody "All Out Of Love" which I've arranged for

The guitar accompanimentwhen I'mis straightforward and captures the guitar part of the original.

All Out Of Love (Air Supply) for 2 guitars arr. Derek Hasted

All Out Of Love
Air Supply

All Out Of Love 2 guitars
Air Supply

$4.99 Intermediate level
Two versions in one edition!

See / hear / buy
July

July 2019

Workshop Summer Concert 2019

Workshop Summer Concert

My Guitar Workshop Summer Concert raised £504.38 on the night, and a subsequent donation of £20, which all went to the Daisy Garland, a charity for children with epilepsy - thank you to everyone who made that amazing total possible....


Visit the Workshop website - new members welcome!

Student Concert 2019

Student Summer Concert and Social

Last night saw my Annual Student Social - music, food and drink - a lovely end to the academic year!


Read more here...

Downloadable Music

Sales of my downloadable music have got off to a very impressive start this month - obviously lots of groups getting ready to practise over the summer!

Student Summer Concert and Social

The first Saturday in July sees my Annual Student Social - we have more students coming this year, and a great selection of solo and duet pieces, plus copious amounts of food and drink!

June

June 2019

Air Supply's "All Out Of Love" - guitar duet and flute/guitar duet

This delightful piece fits wonderfully, capturing the guitar part that opens the original recording.

At one time, it held the record (pardon the pun!) for the longest pop-song male voice sustained note, but there's nothing strenuous in this very playable arrangement.

All Out Of Love (Air Supply) for 2 guitars arr. Derek Hasted

All Out Of Love
Air Supply

All Out Of Love 2 guitars
Air Supply

$4.99 Intermediate level
Two versions in one edition!

See / hear / buy

 

See a list of all my downloadable contemporary arrangements

May

May 2019

Elton John's "Basque" - versions for 2 guitars, 3 guitars, flute & guitar

This Grammy Award-winning instrumental by Elton John is a curious piece - just one recording has been released, and at the time of this news item, just one other piece of sheet music (which only contains part of the original).

I've arranged Basque for guitar duet, for guitar trio/large ensemble and for flute (or oboe) & guitar.

A fantastic piece to add to a concert!

See a list of all my downloadable contemporary arrangements

Guitar Lessons

At the moment I have no vacancies at all for the Summer Term from Easter to July.

Check out my teaching website for vacancies as they arise.

April

April 2019

Adele's "Set Fire To The Rain"

I've arranged two different versions of this classic piece (in different keys) - one for 2 guitars, the other for flute & guitar.

Adele's Set Fire To The Rain arr. Derek Hasted for 2 guitars

Set Fire To The Rain
Adele

Set Fire To The Rain 2 guitars
Adele

$4.99 Intermediate level

See / hear / buy

Feedback from my music in Classical Guitar Magazine

Classical Guitar Magazine - Spring 2019 - featuring Derek Hasted's Captivation

Tom writes

Thank you for sharing the sheet music for your composition "Captivation" in Classical Guitar News "Music to Play"!

"Captivation" is an upbeat piece easily accessible for both the guitarist and the audience.

Congratulations on 50 years of musical success!

New arrangement - The Darktown Strutters' Ball

Over the years, I've been asked to arrange this for an intermediate quartet/large ensemble on more than one occasion - and here it is - a version of Shelton Brooks's "The Darktown Strutters' Ball" with a Dixieland-jazz-style final chorus.

Read more/see/hear "Darktown Strutters' Ball" here ...

Darktown Strutters Ball - for 4 guitars arr. Derek Hasted

The Darktown
Strutters' Ball

The Darktown Strutters' Ball
Shelton Brooks

$4.99 Intermediate level

See / hear / buy

See a list of all my downloadable contemporary arrangements

March

March 2019

The Danube Waves - Guitar Trio or large ensemble

This isn't just one Waltz, it isn't even just 2 Waltzes - this edition contains FOUR lovely little Waltzes - you probably know (but can't place) the first one - it's appeared in quite a few films in the background!

The 4 Waltzes can be played individually or as a complete suite that runs for 5 minutes.

It comes with an introduction too - five pieces for the price of one!

Read more/see/hear The Danube Waves rainhere ...

The Danube Waves - for 3 guitars arr. Derek Hasted

The Danube Waves
Intro + Waltzes

The Danube Waves 3 guitars
Ivanovici

$4.99 Early intermediate level

See / hear / buy

See a list of all my downloadable contemporary arrangements

Southampton Music Festival

Southampton Music Festival

My quartet "fusion" won the "Guitar and other instruments" category with two arrangements I made for flute, two guitars and double bass, played by Gilly Slot, Lisa Wheadon, myself and Claire Whiteside. The first was "Ballett" by Praetorius (brought into mainstream awareness by John Williams in his 1974 album), the second was "Time In A Bottle"

 

Time In A Bottle is on sale in my Downloads Shop for Flute and 4 Guitars and for Flute, 2 Guitars and Bass.

 

Read more about fusion here...

Waltz No 2 (Shostakovich & "Eyes Wide Shut") - Guitar Trio

This is a very straightforward and very effective trio arrangement of the ubiquitous "Waltz No 2" by Shostakovich, which, despite the reputation of the composer for heavy classical work, is light and pleasing and part of his "Suite for Variety Orchestra".

It's one of those pieces that everyone knows and few can name!

Read more/see/hear Waltz No 2 here ...

Shostakovich Waltz - for 3 guitars arr. Derek Hasted

Waltz No 2
Suite for Variety Orchestra

Waltz No 2 3 guitars
Shostakovich

$4.99 Intermediate level

Not currently on sale ?

See a list of all my downloadable contemporary arrangements

Portsm outh Music Festival

Portsmouth Music Festival

My quartet "fusion" won the "Guitar and other instruments" category and the Carlos Bonell cup with three arrangements I made for flute, two guitars and double bass, played by Gilly Slot, Lisa Wheadon, myself and Claire Whiteside. The first was "Padoana Veneziana" by Vincenzo Capirola, the second was "Fields of Gold", the final one was "The Lonely Shepherd" by James Last.

 

Fields of Gold is on sale in my Downloads Shop for Flute and 4 Guitars and for Flute, 2 Guitars and Bass.

 

Read more about fusion here...

New pages to browse and purchase music

Derek Hasted - new music shop

The steady growth of arrangements I've published (almost 130 now) has meant that the shop has been in need of a facelift. All the titles are now grouped by "number of instruments" and then listed in alphabetical order.

There's a little bit left to do, but come and see...

 

Carillon (Sky and John Williams) - Guitar Trio

This is a very straightforward and very effective trio arrangement of the gentle "Carillon" that Sky performed so effortlessly. It's been played by my Guitar Workshop and always goes down well in concerts.

Read more/see hear Carillon here ...

 

See a list of all my downloadable contemporary arrangements

Le Onde (Einaudi) - Guitar Quartet

Einaudi has a reputation for gentle music that flows in a timeless fashion. You might know this piece from the version Craig Ogden plays - multi-tracked of course - on a recent CD. This version simply needs three more guitarists and it's ready to play live in concert!

Read more/see/hear Le Onde ...

See a list of all my downloadable contemporary arrangements

The Heart Asks Pleasure First (from the film The Piano) - Guitar Duet

It's been a long time coming, but finally, I've got copyright clearance to publish "The Heart Asks Pleasure First" from the film "The Piano", arranged as a thrilling Guitar Duet.

Read more/see sample score here ...

 

See a list of all my downloadable contemporary arrangements

 

Below is a live recording from a concert with my good friend Bruce Paine, live at Alberton House, New Zealand

 

February

February 2019

Classical Guitar Magazine

Classical Guitar Magazine - Spring 2019 - featuring Derek Hasted's Captivation

Want a piece of free music?

This Spring's Classical Guitar Magazine features "Captivation", one movement from my 4-movement suite "Celebration", written for intermediate players who want an accessible "big piece" with first-time appeal for an audience. Written with the bottom string tuned down to D, there is a big sound based on simple and familiar shapes.

 

Visit Classical Guitar Magazine's website

Order the complete suite "Celebration" from Corda Music Publications Send an email with your name and address - Celebration is GBP3 (£3) and they will quote you a price including post and packing.

 

Portsmouth Music Festival Guitar Day

Just a heads-up that the PMF Guitar Day has moved from the Half-Term Weekend round to Saturday March 9th 2019, at Park Community School, Middle Park Way, Havant, PO9 4BU.

The day starts at 10:30 - do come along and support the day itself (and optionally, some of my students!).

I'll also be there with fusion.

Romantic music for Valentine's Day

The Rose

Available on instant download, a selection of romantic music which can be yours in time for Valentine's Day...

Titles include

"You Raise Me Up" (2 guitars or flute and guitar)

"Besame Mucho" (3 guitars)

"Romance" (3 guitars)

"All I Have To Do Is Dream" (4 guitars)

"Eternal Flame" (4 guitars)

"I'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song" (4 guitars)

"The Rose" (4 guitars)

"Woman" (4 guitars)

And many more besides!

Click here to browse

The Closest Thing To Crazy - Katie Melua (composed Mike Batt)

I have just published "The Closest Thing To Crazy" for intermediate guitar quartet or large ensemble - it's based on the arrangement that Hampshire Guitar Orchestra have played in concert, and it works equally well with 4 guitars or with a large ensemble.

Read more/see/hear Closest Thing to Crazy here ...

The Closest Thing To Crazy - for 4 guitars arr. Derek Hasted

The Closest Thing
To Crazy

The Closest Thing To Crazy
Katie Melua (composed Mike Batt)

$4.99 Intermediate level

See / hear / buy

See a list of all my downloadable contemporary arrangements

42nd Street

I have just published "Forty Second Street" for intermediate guitar quartet - it's based on the arrangement Hampshire Guitar Orchestra played, and it works equally well with 4 guitars (optionally 5) or with a large ensemble.

Read more/see/hear 42nd Street here ...

42nd Street - for 4 guitars arr. Derek Hasted

Forty Second Street

42nd Street 4 guitars
From the Stage Show

$4.99 Intermediate level

See / hear / buy
January

January 2019

Is This The Way To Amarillo?

I have just published "Is This The Way To Amarillo" for intermediate guitar quintet - it's based on the arrangement Hampshire Guitar Orchestra played, and it works equally well with 5 guitars or with a large ensemble. This accessible arrangement captures the drive of the original with a straightforward melody line that's bright and powerful

Read more/see/hear Amarillo here ...

Is This The Way To Amarillo - for 5 guitars arr. Derek Hasted

Is This The Way
To Amarillo?

Is This The Way To Amarillo?
Tony Christie/Peter Kay

$4.99 Intermediate level

See / hear / buy

See a list of all my downloadable contemporary arrangements

Blue Tango

I have just published "Blue Tango" for intermediate guitar quartet - it's based on the arrangement Hampshire Guitar Orchestra played, and it works equally well with 4 guitars or with a large ensemble. This accessible arrangement captures the punchy rhythm of the original and the lilting melody and countermelody.

Read more/see/hear Blue Tango here ...

Leroy Anderson's Blue Tango - for 4 guitars arr. Derek Hasted

Blue Tango
Leroy Anderson

Blue Tango 4 guitars
Leroy Anderson

$4.99 Intermediate level

Not currently on sale ?

See a list of all my downloadable contemporary arrangements

Ensemble music - instant downloads

The flurry of activity that I mentioned at the tale end of 2018, when I published 23 more accessible and fun ensembles, well, it's turned into a flurry of downloads from the UK, America, Europe and Australasia. Exciting times!

Happy New Year!

Welcome back to my website - check this page for updates - it will point you to any new pages...

Looking back over 2018, it was an amazing year for music sales - my "instantly available downloads" proved especially popular...