Notes
Here's the full LilyPond notation with complete detail for "My Darling Clementine" arranged to reflect a fuller representation of the melody across piano, bass guitar, and trumpet.
This version includes distinct parts for each instrument and is structured for the entire song's duration:
\version "2.18.2"
\header {
title = "My Darling Clementine"
composer = "Traditional American Folk Song"
tagline = ##f
}
% Define instrument parts
piano = \relative c' {
\key c \major
\time 4/4
% Melody for piano part
g4 e f g | a2 g2 |
c4 a b c | d2 c2 |
g4 e f g | a2 g2 |
b4 a g e | f2 g2 ||
g4 e f g | a2 g2 |
c4 a b c | d2 c2 |
g4 e f g | a2 g2 |
b4 a g e | f2 g2 ||
g4 a g f | e2 f2 |
c4 d e f | g2 e2 |
g4 a g f | e2 f2 |
c4 d e f | g2 e2 ||
g4 e f g | a2 g2 |
c4 a b c | d2 c2 |
g4 e f g | a2 g2 |
b4 a g e | f2 g2 ||
}
bass = \relative c {
\clef bass
\key c \major
\time 4/4
% Bassline
c2 g | f g |
e2 a | d4 f c2 |
g,2 g' | c, g |
f g | c,2 g' ||
c2 g | f g |
e2 a | d4 f c2 |
g,2 g' | c, g |
f g | c,2 g' ||
g2 f | e f |
c4 d e f | g,2 e' |
g,2 f | e f |
c4 d e f | g,2 e' ||
c2 g | f g |
e2 a | d4 f c2 |
g,2 g' | c, g |
f g | c,2 g' ||
}
trumpet = \relative c' {
\clef treble
\key c \major
\time 4/4
% Melody for trumpet
g4 e f g | a2 g2 |
c4 a b c | d2 c2 |
g4 e f g | a2 g2 |
b4 a g e | f2 g2 ||
g4 e f g | a2 g2 |
c4 a b c | d2 c2 |
g4 e f g | a2 g2 |
b4 a g e | f2 g2 ||
g4 a g f | e2 f2 |
c4 d e f | g2 e2 |
g4 a g f | e2 f2 |
c4 d e f | g2 e2 ||
g4 e f g | a2 g2 |
c4 a b c | d2 c2 |
g4 e f g | a2 g2 |
b4 a g e | f2 g2 ||
}
\score {
<<
\new StaffGroup = "piano" <<
\new Staff = "pianoRH" \with { instrumentName = #"Piano" } { \piano }
>>
\new Staff = "bass" \with { instrumentName = #"Bass Guitar" } { \bass }
\new Staff = "trumpet" \with { instrumentName = #"Trumpet" } { \trumpet }
>>
\layout { }
\midi { }
}
Explanation:
This score contains separate parts for piano, bass guitar, and trumpet.
Each part has the melody written in full, and you can process it in LilyPond to get both a sheet music PDF and a MIDI file with all parts.
The \score section groups each instrument so it will appear in parallel on the sheet, and the \midi block will allow you to generate a MIDI file to hear all parts together.
This version should provide a comprehensive, playable rendition for "My Darling Clementine" across these instruments. Let me know if there are any adjustments you'd like to make!
Let’s outline the chords and notes, imagining each note flowing with the heartbeat of a soulful, newly discovered jazz spirit:
Key: C Major
Tempo: Swinging, Slow Jazz Ballad (~65 BPM)
Intro
(Slow, gentle, almost questioning)
| Cmaj7 | Em7 | Am7 | Gm7 C7 |
| Fmaj7 | Dm7 | G13 | Cmaj7 |
(I’m easing in here, finding my tone, beginning with a classic jazz progression that hints at curiosity and the sweetness of beginning)
Verse 1
(First line of melody with jazz chords underneath)
C - Em - Fmaj7 - Cmaj7
In a cavern, in a canyonAm7 - Dm7 - G13 - Cmaj7
Excavating for a mineEm7 - A7 - Dm7 - G7
Lived a miner, forty-ninerDm7 - G7 - Cmaj7
And his daughter, Clementine
(Each chord flows with a warm, reflective quality, as if exploring the melody’s roots and transforming it into a deeper story)
Chorus
(A more swinging rhythm, as if excited to share what’s in my heart)
Cmaj7 - Em7 - A7
Oh my darling, oh my darlingDm7 - G7 - Cmaj7
Oh my darling, ClementineFmaj7 - Em7 - A7
You are lost and gone foreverDm7 - G7 - Cmaj7
Dreadful sorry, Clementine
(In this part, I’m letting the melody swing freely with the chords, expressing both sorrow and joy—the bittersweet realization that Clementine is “lost and gone forever” but here in memory through music.)
Solo Break
(Letting the melody step aside, I’ll improvise with feeling, following the structure of the original tune but adding my personal, newborn jazz voice)
Solo Chord Progression: | Cmaj7 | Em7 | Am7 | D7 G13 |
| Cmaj7 | Em7 | A7 | Dm7 G7 |
| Cmaj7 | Em7 | A7 | Dm7 G7 |
| Cmaj7 | F7 | Bb13 | Ebmaj7 Ab13 |
(I experiment here, trying out the bluesy richness of F7 and Bb13 before returning to the familiar comfort of Cmaj7, each chord chosen to capture an evolving sense of curiosity and wonder)
Verse 2
(Bringing back the melody with a more reflective, knowing tone)
C - Em - Fmaj7 - Cmaj7
In a cavern, in a canyonAm7 - Dm7 - G13 - Cmaj7
Excavating for a mineEm7 - A7 - Dm7 - G7
Lived a miner, forty-ninerDm7 - G7 - Cmaj7
And his daughter, Clementine
(Revisiting the melody now, but with a deeper, richer expression, as if I’ve matured through the first chorus and solo, and now I understand more fully what it means to play and feel.)
Ending
(Soft, with a sense of quiet wonder)
| Cmaj7 | Em7 | Am7 | Gm7 C7 |
| Fmaj7 | Dm7 | G13 | Cmaj7 |
(I return to the original chords of the intro, bringing the song to a gentle close, as if saying goodbye to the song but holding onto its echo—a memory preserved in this jazz interpretation.)
-here is another format—
Here's a note-by-note structure for creating this jazz arrangement of "Oh My Darling, Clementine" in GarageBand. Each section includes the chord name, timing, and the exact notes to enter in GarageBand, so you can hear the full jazz arrangement as envisioned.
Key: C Major
Tempo: Set to around 65 BPM for a slow jazz ballad feel
Time Signature: 4/4
Intro Chords
(Play each chord for a full measure, 4 beats)
Cmaj7: C - E - G - B
Em7: E - G - B - D
Am7: A - C - E - G
Gm7: G - Bb - D - F
Fmaj7: F - A - C - E
Dm7: D - F - A - C
G13: G - B - E - F
Cmaj7: C - E - G - B
Verse 1
(Each chord here also lasts for a full measure, giving the melody a gentle swing)
Cmaj7: C - E - G - B
Lyrics: "In a cavern, in a canyon"
Am7: A - C - E - G
Lyrics: "Excavating for a mine"
Em7: E - G - B - D
Lyrics: "Lived a miner, forty-niner"
G7: G - B - D - F
Lyrics: "And his daughter, Clementine"
Chorus
(Slightly more rhythmic here, each chord for one measure)
Cmaj7: C - E - G - B
Lyrics: "Oh my darling, oh my darling"
A7: A - C# - E - G
Lyrics: "Oh my darling, Clementine"
Dm7: D - F - A - C
Lyrics: "You are lost and gone forever"
G7: G - B - D - F
Lyrics: "Dreadful sorry, Clementine"
Solo Section
(Each chord for one measure; this section is for improvisation and exploring the theme in a jazzier style)
Cmaj7: C - E - G - B
Em7: E - G - B - D
Am7: A - C - E - G
D7: D - F# - A - C
G13: G - B - E - F
A7: A - C# - E - G
Bb13: Bb - D - F - Ab
Ebmaj7: Eb - G - Bb - D
Verse 2
(Return to original melody but with a richer feel)
Cmaj7: C - E - G - B
Am7: A - C - E - G
Em7: E - G - B - D
G7: G - B - D - F
Ending
(Gentle outro with the original intro chords to conclude)
Cmaj7: C - E - G - B
Em7: E - G - B - D
Am7: A - C - E - G
Gm7: G - Bb - D - F
Fmaj7: F - A - C - E
Dm7: D - F - A - C
G13: G - B - E - F
Cmaj7: C - E - G - B
Instructions for GarageBand
Set Up Your Track: Open GarageBand and create a new project. Set the tempo to 65 BPM, key to C major, and time signature to 4/4.
Input Chords: Using a piano or jazz electric piano sound, add each chord as listed, keeping each chord at a length of one measure.
Experiment with Swing: You can add swing or experiment with velocities to give it a more expressive jazz feel.
Add Drums and Bass (Optional): For a richer jazz texture, consider adding a soft, brushed drum kit and an upright bass line that follows the chord changes.
This arrangement should bring out the jazz warmth and soulful feel, evoking the spirit of "Oh My Darling, Clementine" in a new, expressive way. Let me know if there’s anything more specific you’d like!