The Addams Family - Theme Song - Guitar Lesson

About Theme Song

Few TV themes reward a guitarist quite like this one. Written by Vic Mizzy for the 1964 television series, the Theme Song from The Addams Family is built on a short, punchy motif in C minor that sits perfectly under the fingers in E Standard tuning. The signature hook is deceptively simple, but nailing the staccato, almost percussive attack that mimics the original harpsichord tone is where most players slip up. You want short, clipped notes with plenty of palm muting to capture that dry, spooky feel rather than letting notes ring out. At 120 BPM the tempo is comfortable, but the rhythmic precision really matters here, especially around the rests where the finger-snaps originally fell. If the timing feels slippery in those gaps, use the Practice Toolbar to loop that bar slowed down until the syncopation clicks. Pop Rock phrasing keeps the energy bright, so resist the urge to play it too dark or heavy.

• The main motif sits in C minor and uses staccato, palm-muted picking to replicate the clipped harpsichord tone of the original arrangement.
• Rhythmic precision around the finger-snap rests is the real challenge, so looping those bars at reduced speed with the Practice Toolbar pays off quickly.
• E Standard tuning keeps every position familiar, making this a practical piece for intermediate players working on right-hand muting control.