Franz Ferdinand guitarists performing in Dundee in 2006

Take Me Out

Franz Ferdinand

Key: E minorNo capo4/4

Standard tuning

Em: low to high 0, 2, 2, 0, 0, 0iEmAm: low to high muted, 0, 2, 2, 1, 0ivAm×D: low to high muted, muted, 0, 2, 3, 2♭VIID××G: low to high 3, 2, 0, 0, 0, 3♭IIIGBm: low to high muted, 2, 4, 4, 3, 2vBm×C: low to high muted, 3, 2, 0, 1, 0♭VIC×

Signature riff · full cycle · pull off 9–7 · rhythm unspecified

Signature riff · full cycle · pull off 9–7 · rhythm unspecifiedeBGDAE899p7979899p7979Note order only · rhythm unspecifiedSignature riff · full cycle · pull off 9–7 · rhythm unspecifiedeBGDAE899p7979Note order only · rhythm unspecifiedSignature riff · full cycle · pull off 9–7 · rhythm unspecifiedeBGDAE77777777777777Note order only · rhythm unspecified

Opening verseOne-time passage

Fast opening: root-position reduction of the repeating verse cell.

4 bars
Progression bars 1–4ivAm♭VIID♭IIIGvBmiEm1234123412341234

Main riff / vocal grooveRepeating cycle

After the slowdown. Clip the chords; leave room for the riff.Suggested clipped eighths

4 bars
Progression bars 1–4iEmiEmivAmvBm1&2&3&4&1&2&3&4&1&2&3&4&1&2&3&4&Suggested clipped eighthsSTRUMone full bar · repeat as needed1&2&3&4&

BridgeRepeating cycle

Simplified chord layer; moving bass omitted.

2 bars
Progression bars 1–2ivAm♭VIC♭VIID12341234

Additional tips

Touch Try moderate crunch and short chord releases. Keep pull-offs clear. Practise the fast opening separately from the slower groove; the transition and E-pedal breaks are omitted.

Explore Try E minor pentatonic: E G A B D; add C and F# for natural minor. Targets: Em → E/G/B; Am → A/C/E; Bm → B/D/F#; G → G/B/D; C → C/E/G; D → D/F#/A. Bm is minor v: use D natural, not D#. Suggestions for this selected harmony.