Below is the lesson for “Tubular Bells” (Theme from The Exorcist).

Helpful Tips

The theme to one of the most frightening movies of all time, ‘The Exorcist’. We’ve arranged this song as a duet with the U-Bass. This song is composed around a motif. A motif is a repeating series of notes (a.k.a: a phrase) used throughout a piece of music to help build tension. It is a common songwriting technique used in theme music. Layers are then added on top of the motif to build the composition. In our arrangement, these layers are represented in Theme 2 and 3.

The trickiest thing about this song is that it jumps between 4/4 and 3/4 without consistency; meaning, there is no set pattern. Each theme has its own unique form. For example, Theme 2 is 4 bars in length (repeated twice) and is as follows:

4/4, 3/4, 4/4, 4/4

On the contrast, the other three themes consist of a different length of bars and a unique pattern of switching from 4/4 to 3/4. Therefore, I’d recommend tackling one theme at a time, memorizing how many bars are in it, and at what point(s) it switches from one time signature to the next.

We’ve added the Bass line to help you navigate the many time changes, as well as, anticipate when the motif begins again. Finally, I’d recommend fingerpicking this piece with a 3 or 4 finger approach.

* Note: Click HERE for the U-Bass lesson on this song.

Part 1 – Performance & Free Lesson

Tab Play Along

Backing Track Play Along (Sans Ukulele)