Pachelbel’s Canon has to be one of the top 10 most famous pieces of classical music ever written. This arrangement for four guitars or guitar orchestra by Gary Spolding provides a clearly laid out, practical and playable edition that enables guitarists to enjoy this wonderful music.

Lasting approximately 7 minutes, the arrangement will suit an ambitious and enthusiastic group of guitarists who have reached grade 1 to 4 standard. Guitars 1, 2 and 3 are all identical except for the necessary truncated endings. The role of Guitar 4 is to play the ground bass throughout the piece. 7 different versions of this are provided to enable a variety of accompaniment styles for when the character of the upper parts change and to challenge more advanced players. However, the basic single-note bass line can also be played throughout allowing players who are little more than absolute beginners to join in.


This piece is one in a series of arrangements by Gary Spolding for beginner guitar ensembles. Each arrangement has at least one guitar part that is accessible to a player of ABRSM grade 2 standard and the other parts are never more difficult than grade 4. They can be performed as guitar quartets with one player to a part or by guitar orchestra with multiple players per part making them ideal for guitar societies or school concerts.

If you like the look of this arrangement then Bizet’s Habanera from Carmen may also be of interest.

6 page score and separate parts each 3 pages.
Grade 1-4
£6 as a pdf
Not available as a book
LMP 177