The Addams Family Theme – Bass & Blues Harp
They’re creepy and they’re kooky
Get with it gang – it’s Halloween! As we can see, the Doc has been busy working on his ghoulish face painting skills. Meanwhile Elwood has been imitating a two-stroke chainsaw engine on a low F harp, while sporting a hockey mask and leather apron. Otis the postman has been demonstrating his Thriller routine to the Harp Surgery’s new cleaning lady, our Monica from up north, and showing us how he can swap his eyeballs over.
For her part, Monica is dressed as Lily Munster. The Riverboat Captain rang to say he is counting his Cape Fear chest tattoos and watching Dead Of Night. Meanwhile…It’s close to midnight and something evil’s lurking in the dark..
Mysterious and spooky
To mark Halloween, it is only appropriate that we acknowledge the passing of the late, great, Vic Mizzy, composer of the Addams Family theme tune. Here’s the tab for you to spook all your harping friends with. The tune’s in B major. We’ve started with a bass harmonica for authenticity and don’t forget the all-important finger clicks! It’s pretty simple. We just use the upper row, as switching rows would interrupt the phrase.
Intro – Hohner Bass 58 harmonica intro (U = upper row / L = lower row)
U2..U3..U4..U5 click-click F# Ab Bb B
U3..U4..U5..U6 click-click Ab Bb B Db
U3..U4..U5..U6 U3..U4..U5..U6 Ab Bb B Db Ab Bb B Db
U2..U3..U4..U5 click-click F# Ab Bb B
U2..U3..U4..U5 click-click F# Ab Bb B
U3..U4..U5..U6 click-click Ab Bb B Db
U3..U4..U5..U6 U3..U4..U5..U6 Ab Bb B Db Ab Bb B Db
U2..U3..U4..U5 click-click F# Ab Bb B
Melody – 10 hole B major diatonic in 1st position
And now it’s time to add the melody. Where you see 7D, this is for simplicity. For a more accurate rendition, substitute 7D with 6B# (6 overblow to play Ab).
6B..6B 6B..6B..
6B..7B 8B..7B 6D..5D 8D
7D..7D 8D..7D 6B..5B 7B
6B..7B 8B..7B 6D..5D 8D
7B 7D 6B 6D 7D 7B click-click!
They’re altogether ooky, the Addams Family...Happy Halloween!
Hey Wilf-I finally got off my butt and posted Thriller on MBH Forum-check it out…
Hi Todd! Thanks for the heads up. Tried to find it – probably staring me in the face – but not sure where it is on the forum. Can you zero me in?
Wilf
Wilf: here it is.
Todd, thanks for taking the time to post this. All we did this Halloween was sit on our butts and eat confectionary. Harp Surgery? We need DENTAL surgery.
p.s. I also sculpted a potato into a representation of the living DEEEEAAAAD.
Woddgreen, what is the MBH Forum?
Sorry about the name; I meant Toddlgreene,what is the MBH Forum?
Steve it’s the Modern Blues Harmonica forum run by Adam Gussow http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/blues_harp_forum.html
Would have been a much better article if you had played what you wrote. Also, the L3, U4, etc., designation for the bass harp is meaningless unless you have a bass harp! Should have given note values so it could be attempted on a Super 64 or low diatonic.
There is a video link at the end of the article that takes you to a Spanish language website. What’s that all about? Too many viruses around, can’t trust that sort of undefined link.
I’ve seen some good articles on Harp Surgery, Rockin’ Robin & Love Me Do are two of them, but the Addams Family Theme doesn’t make the grade.
Hi Derek. Shoulda, coulda, woulda? It’s all about the Bass. Get one, you’ll love it! And all the notes are written on top. Bonus! Seriously, any other harp tone simply doesn’t cut the mustard. Anyway, I’ve spruced the post up for you. By note values I’m assuming you mean pitch rather than duration? I’ve added the note names for the bass passage to help you. The video link was for a YouTube clip of the original programme intro. That went dead when the video was removed from YouTube. I’ve added another for now. You’re Internet Security software would tell you if there was a virus. If you don’t have Internet Security software, get it sorted immediately. I hope we’ve made the grade now and cheered up your Halloween a bit :o)