Sanford and Son Theme (Tab)

Quincy Jones – Sanford and Son Theme (Tab)

Sanford and Son never made it over here so I’m wasn’t very familiar with the theme tune before I started working on my version. Which might explain whey I go rogue at a few points in the arrangement. Particularly in the middle section where I’m improvising between the main theme (although the main theme itself isn’t very strong in this section).

There are a couple of techniques you’ll need to use quite extensively in the tune: right-hand muting (resting the underside of your hand on the strings just in front of the bridge) and strum blocking. Strum-blocking is something I’ll have to write a full post about. Briefly, it involves playing single notes by strumming and blocking the strings you’re not playing by muting with left-hand fingers (or right-hand fingers if you’re left handed). The advantages of this way of playing is that it gives you more attack and makes it easier to switch between chords and single notes.

View Comments

6 Comments

  1. Donnie Bubbles May 27th, 2010 7:45 pm

    I thought strum-blocking was when some guy tries to horn in on your ukulele just when you were getting it going…

    Thanks for the excellent tab, yet again!

  2. PaulC May 27th, 2010 7:54 pm

    Sanford and Son. Fan-freaking-tastic!

  3. Rob NY May 28th, 2010 3:16 am

    Skillful & Soulful. Beyond my limited abilities

  4. Liam May 28th, 2010 1:51 pm

    It never made it over here because we already had it… sort of. It’s the American remake of Steptoe and Son. Cooler theme tune though.

  5. Chris May 28th, 2010 11:24 pm

    I would love to see a post on the strum blocking thing. I’ve seen you use it in other videos to great effect. I’ve tried to figure out how to do but so far my efforts have been less than impressive. Seems like the mechanics should be fairly simple so it’s probably one of those pesky things you need to practice to get right.

  6. Woodshed May 31st, 2010 9:51 am

    Donnie: Hahaha!

    PaulC: Thanks.

    Rob: Cheers.

    Liam: The Sanford theme is definitely the better of the two. But this version has its merits.

    Chris: Got it planned for Wednesday. If I manage to get off my arse and do it.

Sorry, Comments Are Broken Right Now

You must be logged in to post a comment.