The Police released Every Breath You Take in 1983 on their final album, Synchronicity. Andy Summers’ guitar part has become one of those ‘must know’ riffs, up there with the likes of Layla, Smoke On The Water and Stairway To Heaven.
The main riff follows the chords A-F#m-D-E, and many classic songs use this progression, including Ben E King’s and by Crowded House. Reprising shapes, Summers changes these chords to finger-twisting ‘add9’ voicings, providing a richer sound, but, in turn, making the riff tougher to play. There’s no real shortcut but we do recommend practising in a different key, higher up the fretboard where the frets are closer together. If you prefer to strum along, ditch the ‘add9’s and just play basic major and minor chords. Finally, note that the original track was recorded with the guitar tuned down a semitone, but we’re in concert pitch for simplicity.
