E! NEWS

[@gabe_s_videos]

I love the whole idea of Jerry's standup being the lead instrument and taking a tempo from his delivery. It's one of those things that you'd never notice unless it was explained.

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

Thanks, Robogabriel!

[@LukiO4500]

That's actually amazing

[@EASFromTheWest]

I kinda noticed with the tambourines and stuff before he’s talking it’s like a little foreground suspense. The music sort of builds up with his jokes and I always thought it made the buildup to the intros really funny! Glad i’m the first to notice

[@gazebo9730]

Too bad it had to be Jerry's stand-up

[@1HRBNGR1]

It flows so well and sounds so natural that you for sure don't notice it. Since seeing this, every Seinfeld episode is that much more enjoyable.

[@GetUpTheMountains]

Requiring them to come to you to rewrite the theme each week is brilliant.

[@gabe_s_videos]

True, but he's more or less doing variations on the same theme. Still awesome, though.

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

Hi Klesh - Thanks for the kind comment. Seinfeld needed me on every episode anyway..(transitions, underscore, special musical material). So .. no big thing to retool the theme for each monolog. "Like" me at facebook.com/seinfeldmusicguy

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

Thanks Robogabriel. And yes, each opening music was a variation of the thematic elements, fitted to the timings of each of Jerry's monologs. Lego music. Hey - come gimme a "Like" at facebook.com/seinfeldmusicguy

[@osobean8628]

I bet it's exhausting though

[@COWASOGGY]

He's not rewriting at all..maybe some small tempo and improvising changes. No biggy

[@Carlteezus]

he seems so delightfully weird. Mad respect

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

Delightfully weird. I LIKE it! Respect back atcha!

[@Carlteezus]

Oh my god, I didn't even realize this was your channel. Thanks for the greatest ever TV music!

[@jordanpetersonon200mgdiaze3]

@@SeinfeldMusicGuy Hey, hows it going? Love your music. I was wondering if youre friends with film composer Michael Levine?

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

russell westbrook I admire his work, but I do not know Michael Levine. I retired and left Hollywood in 2005. Michael’s most significant works happened AFTER that, so our paths did not cross.

[@jordanpetersonon200mgdiaze3]

@@SeinfeldMusicGuy ok thanks for answering. Have a good one ☺

[@psivewri]

That's awesome. It really fits his stand up comedy so well. Honestly I can't think of it being done any other way :)

[@kcfamilam5109]

Yo this dude low-key put himself on retainer instead of just delivering one tune. Thats smart $$$ sense.

[@kcfamilam5109]

wheew, if you have problems with "yo" and "$$$" I don't see how you can stand to use the internet.

[@jonathanwolff962]

Received a "bad behavior" report about this comment string. Meh..No real serious offenses. BUT..These comments ARE starting to spiral further and further out. SO.. As admin, I removed the really non-relevant comments and blocked the prime offender. Please move on, folks. Nothing to see here.. except a dork wearing braces with a bad sweater. Yawn.

[@DiskSystems]

No one cares.

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

Thanks Carlos - A good rapper presents lyrics with clear meter and tempo. Similarly, Jerry's stand-up delivery had its own patter. I just zoned in on it. Then I architected simple musical elements that were easily manipulatable to allow for viable timings to fit each monolog. Lego music. Hope that answered your Q. "Like" me at facebook.com/seinfeldmusicguy

[@DiskSystems]

"I made myself look like an ass so i deleted my comment instead of just leaving it up. Move along folks, nothing to see here". Is what you pretty much said.

[@nickswetlikoff8203]

What's the deal with TV theme songs?

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

HA! Here's the (sweet) deal with TV Theme songs: They'd pay me & I'd WRITE them! facebook.com/seinfeldmusicguy

[@SocialDem86]

Jonathan Wolff Shameless

[@ploopybear]

@@SeinfeldMusicGuy amazing shameless plug if it's the real guy, probably not though

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

Ploopybear Who ELSE would ever admit to wearing those silly shorts and that awful sweater😁?

[@blurcat1780]

It’s probably real lol, I love the music it’s so nice

[@jonathanwolff962]

Hey there! SeinfeldMusicGuy here. Thanks for checking out my OLD KZbin vids.. Update: I have abandoned this channel in favor of a NEWER and BETTER one. (Braces came off & I got a new sweater) Here's the new KZbin address: kzbin.info/door/oLjXLSBSpUrx31dvb1m3gA OR.. please visit me at www.SeinfeldMusicGuy.com and "Like" me at facebook.com/seinfeldmusicguy

[@mafurock33]

I love how delightfully geeky you are about music! Music nerds of the world unite!

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

Thanks Brother Geek. Rock on. (And come give me a "Like" at facebook.com/seinfeldmusicguy/ )

[@BetoAcapulco]

you sir are a Genious

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

Thanks for such kind words, Roberto.

[@theoriginalsamueljohnson]

👍🏾👏🏾

[@MoonTea510]

What a genius! You have to have a keen set of ears and eyes to do what he does! Amazing work. I mean I have no words to describe how perfectly it fit the show!!

[@natevm7888]

To see him actually playing it live with Jerry doing the comedy in the background it's just brilliant, the timing of his notes with it gel and just so awesome, legendary. And all this time I thought it was a guy standing there recording it with the bass doing slap and pop

[@SheldonBeldon]

if there's a sound the world needs more of, it's definitely keyboard slap bass with different articulations based on key velocity.

[@nottiredofwinning3736]

Brilliant. By tailoring the intro to match Jerry's monologue - you guaranteed yourself years of work on one of the most successful shows of all time. What an amazing gig, kudos! Not like securing projects was every a problem for you.

[@vincentpol]

Holy shit, that used to be E! entertainment?! It actually looked like a respectable network back then. How did they manage to become the horrendous pile of shit it's nowadays?

[@goodentravis]

Reality television.

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

Glad you like this old piece. The E! folks who made it were really cool and perfectly professional. If you're interested, "Like" me at facebook.com/seinfeldmusicguy

[@Neceros]

Money. Most things you know today were different back then. Sometimes for the better, sometimes not.

[@sir_john_hammond]

You are speaking of the general atmosphere of the 80s and 90s, when information in itself was considered interesting enough and of sufficient value.

[@jonanddy]

@@SeinfeldMusicGuy that’s you in the video?

[@joanjenkins8397]

I think this man is a very talented man. I can say genius.

[@alexisye]

This is Bradley Cooper's most intricate character yet...

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

My favorite comment ever.

[@unugeorge]

that's Bill Burr!

[@Oogidahboogidah]

I thought it was Jamie Kennedy

[@LIFTINGTHEVEIL]

Biopic is in the making

[@tedl7538]

Weirdly prescient in light of Maestro, well done Alex.

[@1dJHorY1]

Mad how much thought and analysis went into that. And it's all paired up with natural creativity to give us a perfectly fitting soundtrack.

[@cascanicoff5763]

I cannot conceive this show with any other music. It is a vital part to it, like Cramer or George. I love it so much, and the idea behind it is so cool. Thanks for the music and for this video explaining it, Jonathan

[@NoNoDigUpStupid]

this is so fucking cool. what an awesome guy, so talented

[@JonnyKaine]

This was much more interesting than I thought it would be. I've watched every episode of Seinfeld at least once, most many times and I never noticed that the theme was different each week, but that's a really cool touch.

[@mandu9520]

That's a bomb ass sweater dawg.

[@stoundingresults]

It might be a cricket sweater

[@gator_productions]

Frr

[@Samodrei]

damn i fully thought this was played on an actual bass

[@technophant]

Yeah, disappointed too. I thought it was some obscure badd-ass bass player.

[@ashonlewis9353]

Same here.

[@ploopybear]

:P rip, but it's composed in an even cooler way

[@conorsmith8551]

And I thought it was pronounced bass like ass… I beeeeen maaakin an idiot outta myyyself

[@gator_productions]

​@@conorsmith8551what?

[@britanniau.k.4352]

The Seinfeld theme tune is absolutely perfect in every way because it magically (and musically) captures the nuance, angst, joy and dilemmas of the Seinfeld characters. Life in all it's trials and triumphs captured in a theme tune...How amazing is that? .....Nothing else would have worked. The quirky "mouth noises" Pah, pah, etc... nail it...

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

Thanks, Britannia. I'm really happy and humbled that folks still enjoy my Seinfeld Theme (which I created in 1989!!)

[@dezao2421]

You're so humble, you've answered everyone... Congratulations for the amazing job!

[@danielweizman1402]

You are a national treasure, an unsung hero!

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

Don't know bout all that, but I appreciate the nice comment 😌

[@FaithNoMaiden]

Really enjoyed learning about this process! Brought a smile to my face. Well done, Jonathan!

[@pointlessfailure]

This KZbin is making me thirsty.

[@gator_productions]

What

[@uydudanbak]

ooo man, years later.. i can say my gratitude to u.. thanx so much for being that good w seinfeld .. adore

[@p_hat]

i genuinely love how excited he is about his job

[@DuxJerome]

Its great to see this. People have been telling me about this clip but I never found it. Glad you put it up.

[@spectratio]

I mean he made the seinfeld theme so hes obviously my hero

[@Gubalicious]

I always imagined it was Kramer makings those popping sounds.

[@DVincentW]

Amazing and very smart great musician as there is music and rhythm in speech .. Glad I found your work here.

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

Thanks, DVincentW!

[@oholm09]

So I am too

[@youdbettertube]

I actually kind of love the fact that you end every comment with a link to your facebook. It's such a Costanza thing to do.

[@DaRealKing303]

Lmao

[@fool4singing]

I love how he communicates his entire process on how he comes up with his final product.

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

+fool4singing Appreciate the kind words. Factoid: De-mystifying the creative process helped me build many composer-client relationships during my career.

[@fool4singing]

I'm learning the "Will & Grace" theme song currently to add to my other TV theme songs list. People always get a kick out of those when you whip them out at house parties with a piano. Keep up the amazing work!

[@janigmoney5436]

I've been watching Seinfeld since its been available on the UK Netflix, brings back childhood memories. i LOVE the Thee music you did a GRET JOB Jonathan! thank you!

[@yonimations974]

This man is a legend. Composing arguably the most successful TV theme song with his voice!

[@dingleberrydave4669]

That is the first time I have heard the beat of comedy timing. He has a metronome keeping pace with Jerry. Brilliant!

[@avidodd26]

You're an amazing human.

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

Daw shucks.

[@GabrielNardinMusic]

Good thing that you as a Musician/Composer got this space of recognition for this cool musical creation. Even if I wasn´t a huge fan, I can´t think of a better fitting theme for a series like Seinfeld style-wise, and getting to know some of the stuff that went through your mind while creating it so long ago is always interesting (at least for music geeks like us, lol)

[@johnrobichaud1983]

This is a man who enjoys life and his career

[@TheGlucoside]

Came here via Twitter and just wanted to say that I love your work, Jonathan. Best regards from Germany!

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

Thanks. Really love hearing from folks all over the world!

[@Big44Ron]

Here thanks to twitter. Mad respect to you Mr Wolff, un-song creative genius 🙌🏾💜

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

Thanks BigRon. I'm not really active on twitter. So I was surprised to see the flurry of twittering today. Actually trying to get more Instagram proficient. @seinfeldmusicguy

[@doubleuponbob3397]

Wow, this is amazing. Good job Mr. Wolff!

[@jimscottsoldchannel7103]

So here you're playing the Seinfeld theme to record the sound for the Seinfeld episode but you don't know a hundred themes for Seinfeld, You know that each monologue is different for a hundred episodes. The timing and the length had to be adjustable. So you architect the music for every monologue LEGO-style. When Jerry is silent, the slapbassline plays on your keyboard. Whan Jerry speaks again, the slapbassline stops. Good job, Jon Wolf! Keep up the good work in Hollywood.

[@iamLexxKelsey]

I'm so relieved as a beginner bass player 😌

[@CanIGetaGame134]

Years and years of music theory classes and not one instructor or professor would think: the mans speaking voice is the lead instrument, play off that

[@pliniogoiania]

They would, it was one of the first things they thought me when I started to practice scoring.

[@Seansteiger]

Finally watching this amazing show for the first time (I was too young to appreciate it during its original run), and that theme instantly struck me. It perfectly fits the vibe of the show, and I like how it's tailored to the standup bits on each episode. It's simply brilliant. Most people won't appreciate the type of work that goes into something like this, but as a fellow musician, I respect the attention to detail you show. It seems trivial noways, but I'm surprised the technology back then was sophisticated enough to create something like this.

[@osagiee.guobadia-secondytc4624]

You were also a composer for "Married..With Children" in the past, Mister Johnathan Wolff.

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

Yes. 1989 was a big year for me - got hired to be the composer for WHO'S THE BOSS?, MARRIED..WITH CHILDREN, and a new series called SEINFELD 😁

[@wendysnow4377]

I know Jonathan Wolff he is such a nice guy so kind and humble

[@Yeahhhbuddyy]

I never knew they were all custom to the episode. You’re a legend.

[@poiurewqpoiurewq]

Thanks, John!

[@Ioganstone]

Best opening since Sanford and Sons

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

S&S..Possibly the best TV Theme EVER! QJ is still my hero. So thanks for those kind words, loganstone. (And come give me a "Like" at facebook.com/seinfeldmusicguy/ )

[@BackroomsSlayer]

I love seinfield, big big seinfield fan. Kramer is the funniest. Glad I found this.

[@dangdudedan8756]

"He was great, he should be famous" - News Anchor, Pre-2016

[@jimburson5354]

When i was 15 my dad and I moved a water heater in his house and did a couple weeks worth of deck or hot tub work ( the outside works a little hazy as the memories of 40 years ago are a bit blended) anyhoo , he was working on Square Pegs at the time . Nice guy it was a fun job. I got to hang in his studio a few times while he worked on stuff for shows .

[@YouOpaOpa]

This is insane! Great work!

[@facuacevedo]

brilliant, I´m looking for a song that appeared on Seinfeld, in the Episode The Switch when they think a plan, is that song from Jonathan Wolff?

[@mark1138]

I'd say that the musical score and theme were instrumental to the shows branding and success.

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

Just happy that folks are still interested in the show and my music for it.

[@vh9network]

I can't believe I just now discovered this, I like Seinfeld and I grew up with a Korg M1 at home.

[@MikeGiallo]

it was common in the Leone/morricone colaboration , have a principal melody and rewrite it after the filmed scenes, i wonder how many tv shows used to do that( its more expensive), but when you do it that way it marks a difference into a perfect synchrozised scene and a dull one

[@jjmah7]

You are famous in my world Jonathan! Your tv themes are some top notch work. Will & Grace - a show I never really watched - has some of my favorite piano playing of all time :-)

[@Feelobeats]

He's genius...dudes so good at his craft

[@MrKajithecat]

This is really thinking outside the box and I love it.

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

In those days, I spent a LOT of time in the box. Was always happy for a chance to work outside of it.

[@NeviTheLettyFan]

Can't believe I'd end here someday Thank you for writing this beauty

[@beezymeech]

that woman is fine

[@DrExotic86]

Amazing artist

[@smitty1937]

Thanks. I'm gonna make trap music now.

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

I remember my 808. Ancient, but still cool. Go trap it up Norm. But 1st gimme a "LIKE" at facebook.com/seinfeldmusicguy

[@darkcurlz]

Such cool info! This guy is genius!!!

[@codeezie]

Fascinating. You are a legend!

[@bigbillmontgomeryjr2346]

Absolutely amazing.

[@Metroid9824]

Was the slap bass an embedded keymap of the Kurzweil, or an external sample you used?

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

The Seinfeld bass sounds were frankenstein-engineered from multiple sampled bass guitars, using sample edits, compression, EQ, selective frequency phase manipulation and gain staging. I only used the Kurzweil as a controller to trigger the external samples. No synth for you. In fact, there were multiple Seinfeld basses throughout the show. It became a "thing" around my office for my staff to leave me gift bass samples to weave into Seinfeld cues. That's how the "Seinfeld sound" evolved over time.

[@Metroid9824]

Very cool insight, thanks!

[@PikaChu-ke1uu]

Jonathan Wolff Did you record those samples?

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

For the first 7 or 8 seasons, the samples were created in-house - either by me or one of my (very talented) staff. For the last couple seasons on Seinfeld, in addition to the "old" Seinfeld bass samples, I started also introducing some specialty bass samples from purchased royalty-free libraries. Don't remember which ones.

[@M-N00]

Hats off to you Jonathan, not only did you create one of the best TV jingles ever created, your openness about how you created it says a lot about the type of person you are. Much respect

[@J0HNJ0RDAN]

So many avenues, other than top 40 music, to take as a musician.

[@gp123lIlI]

A genius and legend

[@klipnity]

Mad respect for him!

[@Blurple128]

love your work

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

Thanks, Blurple

[@nsmith2825]

The galaxy brain energy this emanates is off the scale. Just astounding.

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

Ha! Thanks Nathanial.

[@mdaddy775]

You are loved, Jonathan :)

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

Thanks, Markos!

[@dfb1976]

The sax theme in the switch is iconic ....

[@marksaldanha2906]

He looks exactly like what I'd imagine someone who composed the Seinfeld theme would look like 😂😂

[@maxsmart9116]

LOL

[@TheRealPan19]

I've been trying to find this song forever

[@craigslistseller9394]

check out the Seinfeld Official Soundtrack Album 😉

[@Toxic_Death]

SAME

[@Blondfoxy24]

I find him nice and so competent

[@marcelparker6755]

Since things from the past are coming back.... let's bring back those sweaters! They're dope!

[@aaronbruceladner1983]

Whoever the Anchor is, She's Beautiful

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

She certainly is. And she was sweet. I remember that she called me before the piece aired, just as a courtesy. Anchors NEVER do that. Don't remember her name.

[@Jay-gf8tm]

Best theme song ever! GENIUS

[@manguera9]

Larry Carlton and Robert Kraft wrote also the music for the "Who's the Boss" sitcom that were played in the first 3 years..

[@leytonjay]

What a genius. Excellent work.

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

Dunno. A genius might have dressed better for an interview!

[@JRobelen]

For years whenever someone talked about Mariska Hartigay from Law & Order, I thought they were talking about this woman from E! News.

[@matthewvick3127]

haha, I remember that tri-tone movement with the slap bass!

[@menaceone509]

So much respect for his method. Another person I like is QD3 with Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

[@efekarahanli]

fascinating job

[@tylersharp1377]

Music made Seinfeld even more unique. I only watched Caroline in the city occasionally back in the day. 🤔🤔

[@vaibanez17]

Mr Wolff ive always wondered one thing: was it your idea or someone elses to add the singers at the beginning of The Note episode? If it wasnt your idea, did you even get a say in the final sound of that intro or whether they kept the singers in future intros?

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

Thanks for asking. At the time, I had no desire to change the Seinfeld music. Jerry suggested to me (in honor of the new season) to add some scat vocals to the Music. Sure, why not? The “lyrics” were nonsense, non-english gibberish. The singers were me and my friend (veteran studio vocalist) Angie Jaree. I didn't LOVE the new added element. But hey - I had 9 other series to crank out, so I was too busy to obsess about it. Seinfeld still had no audience and no permanent time slot. So it seemed to matter very little. At the mix, Jerry liked it. Larry David liked it. All good. We mixed 3 episodes with the added gibberish vocals before the 1st one ("The Note") aired. The network and studio execs, who were NOT consulted concerning the added vocals, finally saw 301 and did NOT like the vocals. PLUS, they did not like that they weren't consulted first. (A valid point.) So we re-mixed episodes 2 & 3 with normal Seinfeld music. But since "The Note" had already aired, the scat vocals remain in this one episode.

[@quantumhelium]

This guy is a genius

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

Don't know about all that. But when I created the Seinfeld theme, it was (as the kids say) a #gooddayatwork 😁

[@acalmerkarma]

People like me continue to be blown away by this apparently decades old revelation. Do you get residuals from all these variations?

[@HeRacesTheSun]

Brilliant! I also thought it was a bass guitar, and I believe it actually is. Keyboard sounds are often know as 'keyboard samples' which means other 'real' instruments are played, like a real bass in this instance, then they are precisely recorded. Then these recordings are put into the keyboard memory, or 'sampled in' Even though he is pushing keys that sound like a bass guitar, that's actually a recording of a real bass guitar. Many kinds of different instruments are recorded, then 'flown in' to a keyboard's memory, chip, or card for convenience instead of having to get out & play many different instruments. Same with say helicopter sounds, they record a real helicopter, then put it into a keyboard memory or sound module. Select 'helicopter' on the keyboard screen, then when the key or keys are pushed, we are hearing a real helicopter that was recorded, then put into a keyboards memory. When we hear the bass wiggle at times, not much shown, but he is wiggling a lever on the left side of the keyboard that 'bends' the notes up or down.

[@orianaavr]

I don't understand Why the tv set is placed behind him instead of in front of him or something while he works

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

+Oriana Aponte Thanks for noticing. In THOSE days, a TV or video monitor with "big" screen had to be huge and deep and heavy. No flat screens yet. The monitor was in that location because it could be anchored to hold its weight, and would fit there without blocking airspace, workspace or floorspace. For the MOST part, the playback audio was more critical than the video. In this case, I needed to HEAR Jerry more than I needed to see him. So you are correct. The ergonomics were not ideal for watching picture while performing on the keyboard.

[@4Timesdafunky]

I started playing bass because I had always wanted to be able to play like the Seinfeld theme guy. 😅

[@superdavidss]

Frolic from CyE played with Seinfeld slap bass would LEGENDARY!

[@leafbelly]

Wasn't "Married With Children" the Frank Sinatra song, "Love and Marriage"?

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

Yup. Love Sammy Cahn - who wrote that song before I was born. I was responsible for creating the music for Married.. with Children scenes that called for music.

[@leafbelly]

@@SeinfeldMusicGuy Great! Thanks for clarifying.

[@angelthman1659]

He also did Will and Grace.

[@SeinfeldMusicGuy]

Yup. (Got to create lots of very naughty piano music)😁

[@FlabbyPops]

great video, Jonathan !

[@philipelias457]

@3:12 He was great he should be famous!

[@VenusHeadTrap2]

This program aired on NBC in 1995