Various Tv Theme Songs

Peter Gunn

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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H

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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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/fingers

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g----------3-- Repeat this till yer fingers are worn down to stumps!

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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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b-----------| The 'x' are fingersnaps. Lets see how fast you

g-----------| really are !!!

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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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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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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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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 c9609436@alinga.newcastle.edu.au

10/11/96