How to Play the James Bond Theme on Guitar
The character of James Bond, especially as portrayed by Sean Connery, is instantly related to the theme music written for the Bond movies by Monty Norman. Norman's theme evokes the atmosphere of the early 1960s Cold War culture by relying on a simple thematic motif that repeats over and over. The theme for the Bond movies was scored with a full orchestra but the electric guitar is front and center in the presentation of the theme. Norman's theme imitates the surf guitar style of Dick Dale as well as the band the Ventures.
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Instructions
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Play the bass pattern on the sixth and fifth strings. The bass pattern for the James Bond theme is played with quarter notes (one note per beat). The bass notes are E, B, C and C#. Set a metronome to a slow speed such as 40 or 45 beats per minute. The metronome clicks off four beats in 4/4 time. The pattern is played over two measures. The first measure is (1) E, open sixth string, (2) B, fifth string, second fret, (3) E, open sixth string, (4) C, fifth string, third fret. The second measure is (1) E, open sixth string, (2) C#, fifth string, fourth fret, (3) E, open sixth string, (4) C, fifth string, third fret.
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Play the melody line on the first string or the sixth string. The first and sixth strings are both E strings and the finger pattern is the same for the melody line is the same for both strings. The notes for the first part of the melody pattern are E, open string; F#, second fret; and G, third fret. The timing for the melody line is tricky so it is important to listen to a recording of the theme to get the timing right. The melody line is played over two measures of 4/4 time. The first measure is (1) E, F#, F#, (2) F#, F#, (3) F#, E, (4) E, E. The second measure is (1) E, G, G, (2) G,G, (3) F#, (4) F#, F#. Play the pattern twice. At the end of the second time, there is a tag line played with the notes D#, D, B, A, B. The notes are played at the 11th fret, 10th fret, seventh fret, fifth fret and seventh fret of the first or sixth string.
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Put the two parts together. Record the bass line on an audio or digital recorder or with the aid of a guitar loop pedal. The loop pedal has the advantage of continually repeating the bass line as long as you want it. Play the melody line over the bass line until it feels comfortable. Another option is to play the James Bond theme with another guitar player. Have fun alternating between the bass line and the melody line.
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References
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