We wanted to do a solo jazz guitar transcription of ‘Darn That Dream’ ever since we heard Miles Davis’ wonderful version on his Birth of the Cool L.P.
Having said this, a transcription of the complex harmonies played by Davis’s band is way beyond the ability of any monkey, so, instead, we have arranged a version inspired by Martin Taylor’s approach to arranging jazz standards in his column for the magazine Guitar Techniques. As is standard in songs arranged for solo guitar, Taylor recommends playing the melody (8va) on the high E and B strings, while reserving the middle strings for padding out harmonies. (We have mostly used 3rd and 7th chord tones, as they are most effective in communicating the basic identity of the chord). The bottom two strings are used for the bass part.
The song follows a standard AABA structure. For the first verse, we have opted for a fairly straightforward chord melody arrangement. In the second and third verses, we complicated things a little by adding a walking bass line. The basic chord progression for the A section is written above the first verse, but the next two verses employ the occasional chord extension, alteration, or substitution (e,g. 13th extensions and ‘tritone’ (b5) substitutions for seventh chords). Chord names can also be found above the middle eight, but note that here we have again used substitutions, such as the altered chord (b5) in bar 23.
Our guitar tab is not too difficult to perform, and sounds great on either a classical guitar or a hollow-bodied electric. Get it under your fingers before building up speed, and remember to play with a ‘swing’ feel (for reference, listen to the Power Tab version of the arrangement).
Best played as a duet with a small monkey in a waistcoat holding a tin cup.
But first a note from our sponsors, Beagle, Shyster and Beagle, Attorneys at Law
These files are our own work and represent our interpretation of the songs. You may only use these files for private study, scholarship, or research. By clicking on the link below, you agree to these terms.
:: Power Tab File (Right Click ‘Save Target As’)