Whether you’re a beginner looking to expand your repertoire or an intermediate player refining your fingerpicking technique, Sting’s “Shape of My Heart” is a quintessential piece to master. In a recent tutorial from McMusic Lessons & Performances, we get a deep dive into the specific fingerings and textures that make this song so iconic.
Here is a breakdown of the key takeaways from the lesson to help you master this acoustic classic.
Understanding the Texture
The instructor notes that while there are several ways to play “Shape of My Heart,” the specific positioning used by the Police (and Sting) provides a unique “texture” that defines the track [00:17].
Fingerpicking Notation
Before diving into the chords, it’s helpful to review the classical fingerstyle labels used in the video [00:51]:
- P = Thumb
- I = Index Finger
- M = Middle Finger
- A = Ring Finger
Step-by-Step Chord Progression
1. The Opening Chord (F#m/C#)
The song begins high up the neck to achieve that bright, melodic tone:
- Position: Third finger on the 9th fret (5th string), pinky on the 10th fret (2nd string), and index finger on the 9th fret (4th string) [00:30].
- Pattern: Middle → Thumb → Index → Middle [01:08].
2. Shifting the Harmony
As the progression moves, you shift your pinky down from the 10th fret to the 9th fret (A to A-flat) while keeping your index finger on the C# [02:00].
- Pattern Change: The picking shifts to Thumb → Middle → Thumb → Index → Middle [02:16].
3. The Whole Step Slide
The tutorial explains that you then shift this entire shape back a whole step to the D position [02:45].
4. The Transition to F#
For the final part of the main loop, you lift your second finger and bar your first finger to play the C#, B, and F# notes [03:10]. This section ends with a slight fermata (a pause or hold) before restarting the loop [03:44].
The Second Time Around
There is a subtle but important variation in the second loop of the progression. Instead of holding the C#, you move your index finger up one fret to the D (10th fret) while keeping the rest of the shape consistent [04:07].
Watch the Full Lesson
Learning the timing and the subtle finger shifts is much easier when you can see and hear it in action. Check out the full tutorial below:
Shape of My Heart Guitar Lesson – McMusic Lessons
For more personalized instruction, visit mcmusiclessons.com.
