Assassin’s Creed III Theme — Epic Orchestral Cover Ideas

How to Play “Assassin’s Creed III” Main Theme — Guitar & Piano (concise guide)

Quick facts

• Composer: Lorne Balfe
• Common published key: D minor
• Typical tempo: quarter = 140 (varies by arrangement)
• Available official/paid sheet music: Musicnotes, SheetMusicPlus, JW Pepper, SheetMusicPlus (search those sites for “Assassin’s Creed III Main Theme” or “Main Title”).

Piano — approach & practice steps

1. Learn the main motif (right hand): arpeggiated minor‑mode phrase centered in D minor — practice slowly, hands separate.
2. Left hand: steady ostinato/root‑fifth octaves with occasional bass leaps; lock left‑hand rhythm before combining.
3. Add dynamics: crescendo into the phrases’ peaks, use sharp accents on phrase entrances.
4. Voicing: bring out melody in RH while keeping LH accompaniment subdued.
5. Practice plan (10–15 min blocks): hands separate (3), hands together slow (3), tempo increase with metronome (3), musical polish with dynamics (2).

Guitar — approach & practice steps

1. Choose arrangement: fingerstyle or chordal tab; lead motif often played on single‑note treble strings or high harmonics.
2. Tuning: standard tuning works; some tabs arrange for capo to match piano key.
3. Technique: use alternate picking for melody, palm‑mute on accompaniment to mimic orchestral low strings.
4. Chords/voicings: Dm, Bb, F, C, Gm (use barre shapes for fullness).
5. Practice plan (10–15 min blocks): melody accuracy (4), chord changes & rhythm (4), combine & add dynamics (2).

Simplified beginner tabs/chords (starter)

• Main chord progression (looped idea): Dm — Bb — F — C
• Melody (single‑string, approximate, in D minor):
  • e|–10-8-7–8-10–12-10-8–7-|
  • (Use as a first-pass; match to official sheet to refine.)

Where to get accurate notation/tabs

• Musicnotes (piano sheet) — purchasable, interactive.
• SheetMusicPlus / JW Pepper — piano and guitar/tab arrangements.
• YouTube tutorials — free play‑throughs and covers (search “Assassin’s Creed III Main Theme piano/guitar”).

Practice tips for a polished performance

• Slow practice at 50–60% tempo, gradually increase.
• Record runs to check balance and timing.
• Focus on phrasing and dynamic contrast to emulate orchestral feel.
• Use a metronome and practice small sections repeatedly.

If you want, I can provide: a short, playable piano excerpt (5–8 bars) or a guitar tab of the main melody — tell me which.