Pal Waaktaar and Magne Furuholmen were originally in a band called Bridges. They formed a-ha in the early ’80s. Morten Harket joined the duo, and decided to head for the legendary London Flat to make it. By 1983, they achieved part of their dream by signing to WEA and writing this popular song. The song eventually hit number 2 in 1985.
Intro
There are two parts for the guitar and a bass guitar part we’ll be learning. Here’s what they sound like:
Guitar 1 (synth solo)
This part is actually performed on a synthesizer, but it is an excellent little lead riff that helps with dexterity.
Begin the first measure by placing your 1st finger on the fourteenth fret on the “high E” string. Place your 2nd finger on the fifteenth fret on the “B” string. Next, place your 3rd finger on the sixteenth fret on the “G” string. Play accordingly until you have played the sixteenth fret twice. Then, use your 4th finger to play the seventeenth fret on the “B” string.
Begin the second measure by allowing a couple of notes to play through from the end of the first measure on the seventeenth fret, but use your 2nd finger during the change so that you will be more open to play a couple of other notes that you will need certain fingers for. Play the seventeenth fret twice on the “B” string. Then, use your 1st finger for the sixteenth fret on the “high E” string. Play that a couple of times, and use your 2nd finger to play the seventeenth fret on the same string. End the measure by using your 4th finger on the nineteenth fret, but keep your 2nd finger on the seventeenth fret.
Begin the third measure by simply letting off of the nineteenth fret and playing the seventeenth fret where your 2nd finger was. Next, just move your 1st finger to the seventeenth fret on the “B” string. End the measure by using your 3rd finger on the nineteenth frets on the “B” string and the “G” string.
Begin the fourth measure by leaving your 3rd finger on the nineteenth fret on the “B” string. Play that a few times according to the tablature, and then shuffle back and forth on the seventeenth and nineteenth frets on the “B” string with your 1st and 3rd fingers.
Guitar 2
Begin this part by placing your 1st finger on the fourteenth fret on the “high E” string. Place your 2nd finger on the fifteenth fret on the “B” string. Place your 3rd finger on the sixteenth fret on the “G” string. Play that once, and then barre your 1st finger over the sixteenth frets on the “high E” string, the “B” string, and the “G” string. Place your 2nd finger on the seventeenth fret on the “B” string.
There is nothing for the second measure.
Play the third measure by barring your 1st finger on the seventeenth fret on the “high E” string, the “B” string, and the “G” string. Use your 2nd finger to play the eighteenth fret on the “G” string. Next, place your 1st finger on the seventeenth fret on the “high E” string. Use your 2nd and 3rd fingers for the nineteenth frets on the “B” string and the “G” string.
The fourth measure is just as easy. Place your 1st finger on the sixteenth fret on the “high E” string. Place your 2nd finger on the seventeenth fret on the “B” string. Last, place your 3rd finger on the eighteenth fret on the “G” string.
Bass
Begin the first measure of the bass line by playing the second fret with your 1st finger on the “A” string about three times. Then, play the “D” string with your 1st finger on the second fret once to end the measure.
Play the second measure by continuing the note you just played at the end of the first measure.
Play the third measure by playing the “A” string open a few times, and then play the “D” string open once at the end of the measure.
Play the fourth measure by leaving the “D” string open once and played. End the measure by using your 1st finger to play the fourth fret on the “A” string twice.
Riff Resources
Complete Transcription To “Take Me On” (PDF)
Complete Transcription To “Take Me On” (Power Tab)