Operator Chords

by Grateful Dead
31,768 views, added to favorites 1,246 times
Difficulty: beginner
Capo: no capo
Author Unregistered. Last edit on Feb 10, 2014

Chords

F
Bb
G
C
A7
Dm

Strumming

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#----------------------------------PLEASE NOTE---------------------------------#
#This file is the author's own work and represents their interpretation of the #
#song. You may only use this file for private study, scholarship, or research. #
#------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
 
Date: Fri, 12 Dec 1997 11:52:55 -0800
From: Peter Poirier <ppoirier@primenet.com>
Subject: CRD: g/grateful_dead/operator.crd
 
From:  Peter Poirier (peterp@hde.com)
Song:  Operator
Group: Grateful Dead
Written By: Ron McKernan
 
This is one of the few Dead tunes by the late, great, Pigpen.  In it
I've included my neophyte attempt at transcribing his smokin'
harmonica solo.  Most of the hole 3 suck notes should be preceded
by a short grace note bend.
 
Intro: | F / / / | C / A7 Dm | Dm / / C F | F / / / | F / / / |
 
F
Operator, can you help me?  Help me if you please
Bb                                  F
Give me the right area code and the number that I need
G                    C              A7
My rider left upon a midnight flyer
Dm                  C  F
Singin' like a summer breeze
 
F
Think she's somewhere down south, down about Baton Rouge
Bb                                  F
I just cain't remember no number, a number I can use
G                        C                     A7
Directory don't have it, central done forgot it
Dm                  C  F
Got to find a number to use
 
Break (play the intro here)
 
Tryin' to check out a number, tryin' to run down a line
Operator said that's privileged information and it ain't no business o' mine
It's floodin' down in Texas, the poles are down in Utah
Got to find a private line
 
She could be hanging 'round a steel mill, working in a house of blue light
Riding a get-away bus out of Portland, talkin' to the night
I don't know where she's gone, I don't care where she's been
Long as she's been doin' it right
 
(now slap that Bb harp in your rack & blow with all yer might like so...)
 
| F        /        /        /        |        /        /        /
  -3       -3       -3  -4   -3  ~3   -3  -3
| F        /        /        /        |        /        /        /
  6   -5   -4   4   3 ~3 -2  -3  -3                          -3  -3  -3
| Bb       /        /        /        |        /        /        /
  -3       ~3  -2   -3  ~3   -2  -3   ~3  -2   -3  ~3   -2   3   3   3 
| F        /        /        /        |        /        /        /
| -4 -5 -4 -3          ~3 -2 -3  -3
| F        /        /        /        | C      /        /        A7  Dm  
 
Dm                            F
Long as she's been doing it right
 
 
Notes on harp tab:
3 means blow hole 3
-3 means suck hole 3
~3 means suck & bend hole 3
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Operator – Grateful Dead
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"Operator"
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3 comments
chopsticktech1
I don't play blues harp but the chords are right for piano, guitar and bass!
+2
ArmyTanker
Excellent job. One of my all-time favorites. Just picturing Pigpen belting this shit out with serious natural bluesman swagger. Love it. Also, I put it -5 and capo the 5th fret. Plays really nice. And easy as well. Again, nice job and thanks for doing it. Cheers!!
0
precaryus
Way better in the Key of G for fingerpicking in the 1st position.
0