On the Simpsons Theme...

Danny Elfman is one of the most successful and most prolific television and film music composers of the last 30 years. However, amongst the majority of people who know that name already, seldom will not have discovered it through wondering who created that catchy theme at the start of The Simpsons.

To say it is a catchy piece of music is an understatement. I mean there can't be many people who haven't had the first five notes running through their head at some point in their life...

...which is probably something to do it's use of the jarring yet unforgettable tritone interval present between the first and third notes (C to F#) complemented by the angular underlying harmony.
At least it resolves itself to the more conventional harmony of a G so we don't get too put off my the tritone - the so called "devil" of music!

My own geekiness about music theory aside, The Simpsons Theme, is probably one of the public's favourite TV theme tunes, and even though it was originally recorded by a full orchestra (with frills such as a saxophone and a glockenspiel!) that hasn't stopped people around the world from recording their own versions, with various degrees of success, and posting them on the internet for our enjoyment. Now, I have spent many hours over the years watching people play this, I have collated the best ones here - so that we no longer have to fall victims! (By the way, the best one's at the bottom...)

Firstly, perhaps the most famous (at least the most viewed with ~10,000,000 views) - Zack Kim on not one, but two guitars!



Also with over one million views, Sean Gordon, showing us what is possible with one guitar and no amps...



We know that bassists hate guitarists getting all the glory. Well, not to be outdone, here is Steven Melensen with 80,000 views...



And to complete the rock band, here is Andrea Vadrucci on drums (although he does cheat a bit by using a backing track!)



Mixing things up a bit, we have the Carpe Diem String Quartet, albeit with only 1500-odd views...



And an even stranger quartet with only 400 views comprising tubas and euphoniums...



Now, to the bizarre, with an accordion arrangement by Sukun...



Of course, you don't need instruments to play the theme of The Simpsons, here's the a capella group Canvas...



And finally, the best of all the pianists (and in my opinion all musicians) attempting this piece of music, adding real flair and pizzazz (although I might be swayed by the addition of the Gracie Films jingle at the end) - Tal Zilber...