Ooh La La - Lesson on Guitar and Harmonica

Difficulty: There's lots of challenges with this one. Getting the rhythm right is the first step. Adding the harmonica puts the level up a notch.

Lesson Length: 11:38

Instructor: George Goodman

Help File: The following link supplies the chords and lyrics for Ooh La La.
Ooh La La Chords and Lyrics download pdf link - for educational purposes only.

Takamine EG541SC
I am playing my black tak in this one.

This is a Takamine G Series EG541SC bought in North Carolina when I was playing in a band called Double Take.
Specs:
Top - Solid Spruce
Back - Nato
Sides - Nato
Finger Board - Rosewood
Electronics - TK40
Finish - Gloss Black
Check out more Takamine G Series Guitars

Hohner Special 20 in G

I am playing Ooh La La in first position, key of G. That's when I have transposed the song to a key that's good for me where the capo is on the fifth fret.

If you play in D, use a D harmonica.
I am playing a Hohner Special 20 in this one.
On Sale Here

Hohner Harmonica Holder

The Hohner Harmonica Neck Holder fits harmonicas up to 7-1/2" long.

With a long-lasting nickel-plated finish, this harmonica rack is adjustable and fits any neck shape.

For Harmonica - Single Notes: To make the melody stand out, playing single notes sounds great with this one. Bleeding a note here and there can sound good as well.
Playing single notes on harmonica is covered in the series Harp N Guitar Harmonica Essentials. 

To gain a better understanding for when to blow or draw depending on the chord, check out Harmonica Cheat Sheets.

Guitar - simple chords and strumming is covered in Guitar Essentials, Guitar Chords and Rhythm Guitar And Strumming.

0:11 - Introduction

There are two guitar parts to look at as well as adding the harmonica and matching it with the lead guitar part. Then we'll do a quick run through and put all the parts together.

0:33 - Song Key and Rhythm Guitar Part

We are in the key of D, but the rhythm guitar part as recorded used a capo on the seventh fret and played in G.

With the capo on the seventh fret, the chords are G and Am7 with each chords lasting for two measures each.

The real trick to the song is getting the rhythm right. There is a swing or triplet feel and the emphasis or accent happens on the 2nd and 4th beats.

Strumming Pattern

Swing or triplet beat

Emphasis on 2 and 4; down stroke on numbers, upstroke on ‘&’

D

1  2  3  4  1  2  3  & 4 &

Em7

1  2  3  4  1 &     &  3  4

2:48 - The Bridge

During the piano solo, the progression and rhythm change a bit.

With the capo on the 7th fret, the chords are G and C with each chord lasting for one measure.

The rhythm while playing G stays the same but the rhythm becomes syncopated when playing C.

3:35 - Playing the Rhythm without the Capo

Now take the capo off and use the chords D and Em7. You can also play the rhythm guitar part here instead of with the capo and G and Am7.

4:17 - Lead Guitar

The first bar of each chord keeps the same rhythm. It's the second bar where the riff is added.

6:42 - Transposing and Adding the Harmonica

D is a bad key for me. It's too high to sing, so I transpose to the key of G.

That requires putting the capo on the 5th fret while playing our D and Em7 riffs.

Because we're now in the key of G, use a G harmonica.

If you don't use the capo and stay in the key of D, use a D harmonica.

D

6 6 6 -6 6 5 4

Em7

-4 -4 -5 -5 -5 5 -4 4 3 4

8:21 - Putting it All Together

Let's play through the intro, verse, chorus and harmonica solo so you get the idea on how it all comes together.

10:07 - Thoughts on Playing in First Position

Our chord progression alternates between the I chord, the chord built upon the first note of the song key and the ii minor chord, the chord built on the second note of the song key.

While on the I chord, blow notes make up the notes to the chord.

When on the ii minor chord, draw notes make up the chord: -4 -5 -6 and -8 -9 -10.

Looking at the tabs, you'll notice that when playing D most of the melody notes are blow and when playing Em7, most of the melody notes are draw.

Things To Note

This was recorded in Qualicum Beach, British Columbia in December 2018.

If the original key is out of your range, use the capo to move the song to a more comfortable key.

No capo, use a D harmonica.

Capo on 2nd fret - use and E harmonica.

3rd fret - F

5th fret - G

7th fret - A.

Let me know, how it goes, leave a message below.

Peace. Stay in tune my friend.

George