Arthur’s Theme | TAB
Arthur’s Theme uses the concept of moving up a 4th, or the cycle of 4th, to change the key from C to A, here’s the verse chord progression:
||: Dm7 (II) G (V) | C (I) Fmaj13 (IV) |
| Bb (bVIIx) E7 (IIIx) | Asus4 (VI) A (VIx) Asus2 A :||
That final chord takes us back to the Dm chord, here’s the TAB for how to play this on an acoustic guitar..
Notice how the Fmaj13 is what it is because of the intervals, it goes from the root – maj7 – 6 – 5.
Here’s Arthutr’s Theme’s chorus TAB.
I’m starting with a D shape, but borrowing the 5th from the A shape. A semitone below we temporarily find the #4, then down to the 3rd. With chords and lyrics, I put this chord in brackets as it appears and then goes again.
For the Bm, we start with sus2 to join the melody.
When the D chord returns, we use the upper part of the A shape to find some variation. Fret this using your little finger on string 2.
Practice both sections until you feel comfortable, then play along with the original recording.
If you have an electric guitar, try the sax solo as well, here’s TAB.
Arthur’s Theme TAB | Related Pages
Arthur’s Theme | Chords + Lyrics
Learn to play Arthur’s Theme by Christopher Cross (Burt Bacharach) using chords, lyrics, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Dm7 G | C Fmaj13 |
Once in your life you find her, someone that turns your heart around…
Five similar tunes | Chords + Lyrics
- (They Long To Be) Close To You chords by the Carpenters
- Can’t Take My Eyes Off You chords by Franki Valli
- Everybody’s Talkin’ chords by Harry Nilsson
- I Say A Little Prayer chords by Aretha Franklin
- Over The Rainbow chords by Eva Cassidy
Burt Bacharach tunes
One of the most important composers of the last century, Burt Bacharach‘s tunes have been recorded by over 1000 artists.
Unforgettable hits include Close To You, Walk On By, Arthur’s Theme, That’s What Friends Are For, What The World Needs Now, and I Say A Little Prayer.
Burt Bacharach on the web
Christopher Cross tunes
Christopher Cross wrote Arthur’s Theme (The Best That You Can Do) for the movie Arthur which starred Dudley Moore and Liza Minelli.
Managing the seemingly impossible, the song tells the story of the film in less than four minutes.
Christopher Cross on the web
About me | Dan Lundholm
This guitar lesson by Dan Lundholm featuring TAB, covers Arthur’s Theme. Discover more about him and how you can learn guitar with Spytunes.
Most importantly, find out why you should learn guitar through playing tunes, not practising scales, and studying theory in isolation.