Just after I posted A-ha’s ‘Take on Me’ on my Facebook story, a request popped up in a ukulele group for that very song. My dancer friend also asked me about it. This was the perfect push for me to turn one of my favorite hobbies—riff-transcribing—into a potential Zoom class. If you’re curious about how to play this riff on the ukulele, read on.
Where to find the sheet music
Google “Take on Me” and you’ll get numerous sheet music, including the one above. Of course, it’s also easy to find song sheets in different keys for ukulele players, including that on OzbCoz.
The original riff
Playing in the original key allows you to play along to the song. However, the original key at the original tempo is not always an easy task.
One way to play the original riff high on the neck is to anchor your left index finger on the 1st string (A-string) 9th fret. Hopefully your ukulele fretboard goes to the 14th fret. Besides the challenge of squeezing your fingers on the tiny frets (as they become smaller the closer you get to the sound hole), you also need to play fast.
Play the riff an octave lower
It’s much easier to play this riff an octave lower on the low G ukulele.
If you want accompany by strumming the chords, Bm and E are both barre chords. E7 can substitute for E major.
Transpose to another key
If we transpose it to Bb major, we can now play it with open strings and on the first three frets of both high G and low G ukulele. However, we can’t play along to Aha’s official video (below).
Fun on the high G ukulele
As I have been writing for high G ukulele of late (though my first two ukuleles were low G when I started), I was curious how to simplify this riff for the high G uke. The above is my first attempt at figuring it out.
Anchor and play on high G ukulele
By leaving your index finger on the 2nd string 1st fret, it feels more stable when playing this riff on the high G ukulele.
Bar and anchor on two strings on high G ukulele
I find it easier to bar the first two strings on the 1st fret and keep my index finger as anchor for the entire riff.
What’s your take?
“Take on Me” inspired me to name the sixth title in the Pick Pluck Play! Series “Take on Bach.” It’s about my response to JS Bach’s music, released in time for his birthday.
I included “Take on Me” as a song in my latest book – the seventh title “The 80/20 Guide to Ukulele” because it follows a common chord progression.
Transcribing and arranging music is my passion. I arranged twelve love songs in time for Valentine’s Day – the fifth title in the series – 12 Timeless Love Songs.
Next steps
As always, I’m always interested in hearing your “take” — your response. Should I do a workshop on fun riffs for the ukulele? Which songs?
Would you like the two-page PDF of these riff transcriptions for “Take on Me” ?
Order a copy of my latest book “The 80/20 Guide to Ukulele” and join me in Zoom at the next 3 Chord Thursday session on 16th July 2026 to enage with me.
Why is “Take on Me” so famous?
Researching the history of this synth-pop classic brought me down a fascinating rabbit hole. If you’re curious about the deeper history, the MTV archives and various music history blogs provide a great look at how that iconic video changed everything.
A-ha’s “Take on Me” is one of the most iconic songs of the 1980s, remembered primarily for its groundbreaking music video and its catchy, synth-pop composition. Its fame stems from a perfect storm of technical innovation, vocal performance, and heavy rotation on MTV.
1. The Revolutionary Music Video
The primary reason for the song’s massive international success was the music video directed by Steve Barron.
- Rotoscoping: The video is famous for its pioneering use of rotoscoping, an animation technique where live-action footage is traced frame-by-frame to give characters a realistic but hand-drawn aesthetic.
- Artistic Impact: It took about 16 weeks to rotoscope roughly 3,000 frames. The result—a story of a woman entering a comic book world to be with the lead singer—was unlike anything seen on television at the time.
- Awards: The video won six awards at the 1986 MTV Video Music Awards, including Best New Artist, Best Concept Video, and Best Special Effects. It remains one of the most recognizable music videos in history and has surpassed 2 billion views on YouTube.
2. The Catchy Synth-Pop Riff
The song is built around an iconic keyboard riff written by band member Magne Furuholmen when he was just a teenager. The riff is considered one of the most “irresistibly bouncy” and memorable hooks in pop music. Furuholmen has noted that he was influenced by the keyboard playing of Ray Manzarek of The Doors, blending that structure with the band’s own “Scandinavian flavor.”
3. Morten Harket’s Vocal Range
Lead singer Morten Harket is widely celebrated for his vocal performance on the track. In particular, his ability to hit a sustained falsetto note (a C#6) in the chorus showcases a technical skill that has become legendary among listeners and fellow musicians.
4. A Classic “Pop Success” Story
The song’s rise to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1985 is often cited as a classic example of how MTV could transform a band’s fortunes. The song was actually released twice before, failing to chart significantly, until the third release—paired with the high-budget, creative music video—turned it into a global phenomenon.
5. Cultural Legacy
- Cultural Staples: Beyond the charts, the song has lived on through countless covers (such as by Weezer and Reel Big Fish) and appearances in film and TV (notably in La La Land).
- Emotional Resonance: Fans and critics often discuss the vulnerability of the lyrics, which touch on taking risks, vulnerability, and the hesitancy of expressing love. This emotional weight, combined with the upbeat tempo, gives the song a “universal” appeal that has helped it remain popular across generations.
