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Intermediate acoustic guitar tabs for "Dear John C." by Elvin Jones, in E♭ minor at about 200 BPM. Transcribed from the track by Songscription. Available as an easy beginner, intermediate, or advanced arrangement.

Intermediate Acoustic Guitar Tabs for "Dear John C." by Elvin Jones

Preview of the intermediate acoustic guitar tab arrangement for “Dear John C.” by Elvin Jones.

Dear John C. by Elvin Jones
Acoustic Guitar Tabs

Tab notationFretboard tab

The acoustic guitar part reads as a fretboard tab, arranged to sit naturally for the instrument.

Difficulty

Intermediate

For players comfortable with the basics.

Inside the music
Signature

Music DNA

Genrejazz · jazz fusion · jazz improvisation
Moodenergetic · virtuosic
Signaturehigh‑energy jazz fusion with intricate improvisation
E♭ minor
Key
200
BPM
4/4
Time
Chords

The progression

E♭m7
A♭7
Em7
A7
C♯maj7
F7
B♭m7
E♭
Form

Structure & dynamics

IntroHead (theme)Solo sectionHead (return)Outro
Instrumentation

What's in the mix

drums
dynamic, syncopated ride cymbal patterns with crisp snare accents
saxophone
bright, expressive lead voice, delivering melodic statements and improvisations
electric bass
round, syncopated bassline driving the groove
electric piano
warm, comping chords with extended voicings
drums
tight, swinging ride cymbal with occasional fills
trumpet
brassy, punchy lines that weave around the saxophone
Album & artist
ALBUM

Dear John C. (1965)

Recorded for the Impulse! label, this album is a tribute to John Coltrane, featuring alto saxophonist Charlie Mariano alongside pianist Roland Hanna and bassist Richard Davis. Jones steps back from the spotlight here, letting Mariano carry most of the lead lines while the group plays with a quiet, cohesive teamwork that makes it one of the stronger entries in Jones's catalog as a leader.

All of Dear John C.
Artist

Elvin Jones

Elvin Jones was a jazz drummer from Pontiac, Michigan, born in 1927 into a musical family that included his brothers Hank and Thad, both celebrated jazz musicians. He played in the post-bop tradition and built a reputation for a forceful polyrhythmic style, combining different meters across his hands and feet into a shifting, propulsive feel. He is best remembered as a member of John Coltrane's classic quartet in the early 1960s, and later led his own groups under the name the Elvin Jones Jazz Machine until his death in 2004.

All Elvin Jones songs
How it works

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  1. Step 1
    Bring the recording

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  2. Step 2
    We transcribe it

    Our model listens and arranges this exact performance for acoustic guitar, at your chosen level.

  3. Step 3
    Play & export

    Read it on screen, transpose, slow it down, and export the tabs when it feels right.

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FAQ

Good to know

What key is "Dear John C." in?

"Dear John C." by Elvin Jones is in E♭ minor.

What is the tempo of "Dear John C."?

"Dear John C." plays at around 200 BPM in 4/4 time.

What chords are in "Dear John C."?

The core progression is E♭m7, A♭7, Em7, A7, C♯maj7, and F7, built around the E♭ minor tonal center.

What instruments play on "Dear John C."?

The recording features drums, electric bass, electric piano, saxophone, trumpet, and drums.

Can I get "Dear John C." acoustic guitar tabs?

Yes. This is the intermediate acoustic guitar tabs arrangement of "Dear John C." by Elvin Jones, transcribed by Songscription.

Is "Dear John C." acoustic guitar tabs easy to play?

"Dear John C." acoustic guitar tabs comes in beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, so there is an easy version to start with. At 200 BPM in E♭ minor with 16 chords to navigate, the part leans toward the harder end. You can switch levels on this page before you save it.

Is there an easy, beginner version of "Dear John C." acoustic guitar tabs?

Yes. The beginner acoustic guitar tabs for "Dear John C." simplifies the busiest passages and rhythms while keeping the melody, so it is the easiest way to start. The intermediate and advanced arrangements are one tap away when you want more of the original.

What album is "Dear John C." on?

"Dear John C." appears on Dear John C. (1965).

How does Songscription turn a song into sheet music?

Give it a recording, a YouTube link or an audio file, and its AI transcribes that performance into notation for the instrument and level you choose.

Can I get sheet music for a live or cover version?

Yes. The score is generated from whatever recording you pick, so a live take, a remix, or a cover each match that exact performance.

What instruments and formats are available?

Piano, guitar, violin, trumpet, sax, bass, drums, vocals and more, as standard sheet music, a piano roll, or guitar tabs.

Is Songscription free to use?

You can try it free, with no credit card needed.

Can I download the sheet music as a PDF?

Yes. You get a downloadable PDF, plus in-app playback and the option to transpose or adjust the arrangement before you print.

How accurate is the transcription?

It is produced by AI trained on millions of bars of music, and you can play it back and fine-tune any details before you download.

Is this transcription licensed?

Yes. We have licensed this track from its publisher, so we are permitted to transcribe it and provide the sheet music to you.

Transcribed from licensed catalogs by AI trained on millions of bars of music.

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