Learn To Play The Police

Guitar Lesson Course Overview

The Police, an iconic rock band from the 1980s, showcased an enviable versatility in their music, fusing rock with reggae, jazz, and punk influences. At the heart of their unique sound was lead guitarist Andy Summers. His innovative guitar techniques and knack for creating rich, atmospheric sounds played a substantial role in propelling the band to international stardom. In "Learn To Play The Police," guitarists are given an unprecedented opportunity to delve into five of The Police's greatest hits. Each song is broken down into comprehensive lessons taught by Michael Casswell, focusing on the subtleties and details that make each track stand out.

Guitar Lessons Include:

Message In A Bottle 

Roxanne 

Every Breath You Take 

Walking On The Moon 

So Lonely

Lesson Performance Notes

Message In A Bottle

"Message In A Bottle" is notable for its use of add9 chords and a distinctive guitar riff that employs a unique stretching technique between frets. The song is played in a C# minor scale, and the intro riff is a brilliant exercise in precision and timing. The solo, though brief, utilizes a haunting, echoing effect that's characteristic of Summers' style, combining fretted notes and harmonics to create a textural soundscape.

Roxanne

"Roxanne" is one of The Police’s most famous songs, with a distinct reggae influence seen in its beat and rhythm. The song primarily revolves around a G minor scale. Summers employs a softer, muted strumming pattern that complements Sting’s vocal melody. The guitar work here is subtle and understated, with no actual solo, but rather a melodic line that serves the song's emotive content.

Every Breath You Take

This song is a masterpiece in minimalism and subtlety, focusing on an F# minor scale. The arpeggiated chord progression is instantly recognizable, with a smooth, clean tone. The solo is melodic and integrates flawlessly with the song's gentle dynamic, requiring precise string bending and finger positioning.

Walking On The Moon

"Walking On The Moon" showcases a more playful side of Summers' guitar artistry. The song is in D minor and uses a combination of chordal stabs and spacious, echoey melodic lines to convey a sense of weightlessness. The solo follows the main melody closely, emphasizing the song's dreamy quality through the use of delay effects and rhythmic spacing.

So Lonely

"So Lonely" takes its influence from classic reggae, with a bouncing, syncopated rhythm style. It’s played in a B minor scale and features staccato strumming that adds to the song's energetic feel. The solo in this track is more traditional than in other Police songs, with a faster-paced, bluesy approach that includes quick runs and slides.

Andy Summers: Innovator of Atmosphere

Summers' guitar playing, while not typically characterized by blistering solos or overt displays of technical prowess, is the epitome of serving the song. His innovative use of effects like delay, chorus, and reverb, as well as his blending of musical genres, created atmospheric layers and textures that became a hallmark of The Police's sound. His contributions to these songs show a guitarist who understands the importance of tone, atmosphere, and—most importantly—restraint. He demonstrates that a guitarist's role in a band can extend beyond solos and riffs into shaping the very mood and feel of the music.

Techniques Utilized in "Learn To Play The Police"

The course "Learn To Play The Police" covers a range of guitar techniques that are essential to mastering these songs and are widely applicable across many styles of music. Below is a list of some of the techniques you'll encounter in these lessons, each linking to a detailed explanation:

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Harmonics
• Pull-offs
• Palm Muting
• Barre Chords
• Hammer-ons
• Double-stops
• Slides
• String Bending
• Syncopated Rhythms
• Chord Progressions
• Arpeggios

By learning these techniques within the context of The Police's music, guitarists can not only add new skills to their repertoire but also gain a deeper understanding of the artistry involved in creating memorable and timeless songs.