The Liberty Bell by John Philip Sousa arranged for four guitars or guitar orchestra by Gary Spolding.

This military march is the very definition of an earworm! Famous in the USA for being part of presidential inaugurations but most familiar worldwide as the theme tune for the British TV comedy program Monty Python's Flying Circus.

Lasting approx. 4 minutes, the arrangement will suit an ambitious and enthusiastic group of guitarists who have reached grade 2 to 4 standard. Guitars 1 & 4 need competent intermediate players as Guitar 1 has the majority of the melody and Guitar 4 needs string 6 tuned to D. Guitar 2 is the easiest at around ABRSM Grade 2, with all notes in the stave, and Guitar 3 is a little more complex at around Grade 3.

If you work in education, this arrangement has these useful features…
- a very strong 6/8 rhythm
- two types of repeats - 1st and 2nd time bars and a D.S. al Coda
- a key change from G major to C major
- a bass solo


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 Hérold’s Clog Dance may also be of interest.

5 page score and separate parts each 2 pages.
Grade 2-4
£6 as a pdf
Not available as a book
LMP 193