This theme, by the late Henry Mancini, is the TV theme perhaps most favoured
by rock guitarists, and even rock keyboardists ( Emerson Lake & Palmer did
a cover version). Although it was a TV theme, most people think of it as
a movie theme. Ultimately, the music to this one doesn't need an
explanation.
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James Bond
Althogh not a TV theme, the bond theme is so pervasisive that it might as
well be. The featured excerpt here is the rapidly riffed guitar usually
heard over the string accompaniment during moments of intense Bondian
danger.
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| 1, 2 | 3
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The Pink Panther
Like the J. B. theme, this Mancini tune was not originally written for TV
(it was featured in Peter Seller's detective comedies) but still is best
known as the musical score for the Pink Panther cartoons.
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The Twilight Zone
This TV theme may be one of the most popular of all time, just because people
use it as a way to indicate weirdness (" do-do do-do ...."). For this riff,
grab a capo, and shove it on as high as you can ( with much finger blustering
I figured it to be at the 18th fret, though could only get it up to the
14th !), for the high and eerie sound.
w/fingerse-0--0--0--0--b-3--4--3-----g----------3-- Repeat this till yer fingers are worn down to stumps!d-------------a-------------e-------------
Secret Agent Man
One of the easiest riffs, as played by Johnny Rivers, it went to #3 in 1966.
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Green Acres
This intro riff has a country feel but was played with nicely distorted
guitars, giving it a bit more of a rock feel. The Chores! The Stores! Fresh
Air! Times Square!
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Mission Impossible
The definitive spy TV tune, with lots of bass, trumpets and bucket loads of
percussion. This is off the original series, back in the late 60's thru 70's.
The lead was originally performed on a flute! ( I Didn't bother to listen
to the re-released version, as I've never been a big fan of Techno)
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email me for a larger version of this !
Hawaii Five-0
Originally performed by the Ventures ( those 60's surf-guitar dudes of Walk
Don't Run fame), this opening riff translates from TV to solo guitar as well
as, if not better than almost any other theme song. Add Big Drums and Hulu
Skirts for that authentic Waikiki sound.
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The Addams Family
Featured in both the B/W series and the recent movies, this harpsichord and
finger-snappin' riff is about as quirky as ole' Fester himself. Neat,
Sweet.... petite.
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| 1.
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| 2.
e-----------|b-----------| The 'x' are fingersnaps. Lets see how fast you g-----------| really are !!! d-----------|a-3---x--x--|e-----------|
The Munsters
This one evokes early twang-surf rock, hot-rods, while at the same time,
adding in a hint of the sinister ....
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e-------------------------------------|b-------------------------------------|g-12----14--12------------------------|d---------------/16---14---12----14---|a-------------------------------------|e-------------------------------------|
The Flintstones
The vocal line. Need anything else ??..... Nah!
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The Dick Van Dyke Show
Pretend that you're married to Mary Tyler Moore... ( Hoo- Hoo, and you know,
I'm yours.... sorry just getting carried away. Back to the stupid one liner.)
.... and you have to sleep in separate beds to be able to nail this theme
Swing Time
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Bewitched
A highly recognizable riff, that features dozens of instruments, like harps
xylophones, Samantha's nose...). Bewitched starred Elizabeth Montgomery as
the witch of every young man's lusting fancy.
Swing Time
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I Dream of Jeannie
A Jazzy, swing time (or what the producers imagined to be a Middle Eastern
rhythm), this is in 2/2 time. The Series left us with the one hotly burning
question: Who had more power - Jeannie or Samantha? ( I say Samantha! )
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e----------12-10-------------|b-----13------------13-------|g-------------------------10-|d----------------------------|a----------------------------|e----------------------------|
The Andy Griffith Show
Sure, everyone can whistle this, but now you're gonna have to play it !. Dont
forget the shuffle rhythm in the background. And as a bonus, if ya know the
words -yes there are actually words- feel free to sing along. You know Barney
and Floyd would.
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| 1.
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| 2.
e-0---------------|b-----1--3--------|g-------------0-2-|d-----------------|a-----------------|e-----------------|
Hogan's Heroes
The main theme to that zany look at how wacky life was in a concentration
camps during WWII. Add yer whistlin' and marching band to capture the flair
of this one.
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Bonanza
An actual guitar dyed-in-the-wool theme. If this don't conjure images of Pa,
Hoss and Little Joe Cartwright, you weren't watching enough television in
your formative years.
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The Odd Couple
It helps to live in a cramped Manhatten apartment when you're trying to get
the flavour of this one.
Swing Time
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Beavis and Butt-head
Huh, Huh .... uh ... like this one is cool ....
Capo at the 5th fret ( Unless you're Jimi Hendrix -- and I highly doubt it)
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M*A*S*H
Everyone knows this is the theme to M*A*S*H, but hardly anyone knows that
it is actually a song called "Suicide Is Painless" ( With a melody of
'Cause suicide is painless / it brings on many changes ...'). A perfect
acoustic piece for your TV theme repertoire.
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Batman Theme
Holy Six String Batman !!, you'll have to check out your local (and Remote?)
newsgroups for my transcription of this one as it is a bit longer than the
one or two liners here!
Written out by The Loan Arranger
