SLEEP SHORES (theme to Owen MD) - 4 GUITARS/LARGE ENSEMBLE
For Classical or Acoustic Guitar - sometimes it's erroneously listed here as Electric Guitar.

Derek Hasted writes Johnny Pearson was a prolific composer and ran the BBC Top Of The Pops orchestra for 16 years.

My arrangement captures every one of the stunning and uplifting key changes of the orchestral version. The key chosen here is different to the original, but it means we can use the full playable range of the guitar and play in some keys that are less alien to guitarists!

The original version was scored for piano and orchestra but also featured a guitar to provide a rhythmic backdrop, and that part is captured here too, along with the electric bass guitar line, set for classical or acoustic guitar.

From the perspective of a guitar teacher, this piece is a wonderful worked example of the Circle of Fifths in action, and the final key change uses the A#(Bb) and E that are common to the chords of F#7 and C7 to create an effortless movement right across the Circle of Fifths from bottom to top in one easy action!

From the perspective of the players, the arpeggios are moveable chords and so the section with the most key changes is also the section that’s easiest to play!

And from the perspective of the audience, the key changes make this a remarkable and engaging piece.

I hope you enjoy this piece!