STING'S MOST COPIED RIFF - Why it's so HARD to get it right

The riff that leaves many guitarist in shock! But why is this song so hard to get down?
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Custom Collings 0 12-fret
0:00 The riff we all know
0:54 The bass line
1:15 The basic chords
1:46 Travis picking
2:15 7th and sus chord
3:33 Spread triads & syncopation
4:28 Anticipated bass
5:28 The correct chords
6:28 Different fingering
7:03 Inversions & figured bass
9:22 Acoustic Adventure
9:58 Difficult chord 1
11:46 Difficult chord 2
12:35 Easier solution
13:03 The ending
13:25 The entire riff
13:53 Modulation
15:10 Little jam with Mary Spender
Thanks to @MarySpender for the little jam :)
Hi, my name is Paul Davids! I am a guitar player, teacher, producer, and overall music enthusiast from the Netherlands! I try to inspire people from all over the world with my videos, here on KZbin.
If you want to know more about me, check out PaulDavidsGuitar.com or check out my guitar courses at: learnpracticeplay.com and nextlevelplaying.com, and acousticadventure.com
Thank you for watching!
Paul
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[@PaulDavids]

Honored that Dominic Miller saw and commented on this video in Rick's interview! I meant it all with the greatest deal of respect :) A few things I'd like to add: 1. I mention Sting in the title because I am pretty sure almost everyone knows Shape of My Heart to be a Sting song. 2. I give Dominic a lot of credit (rightfully so, he is a master!). At 0:28 I mention him in the under title, at 0:37 I mention 'the original guitarist' at 0:42 I mention he co-wrote the song. At 5:39 I literally say Dominic wrote the riff. And there's many more mentions across the whole video. 3. At 10:42 I mention he avoids the chord when playing it live, and I think it so friggin AWESOME that now he started playing 'the right chord again'! What a champ. 4. I should have been more clear in saying he wrote the riff. Yep!

[@hannesohnesorge]

With all due respect to Dominic Miller, I think he kinda summed up your video wrong for the sake of the joke. You actually never refer to him as "the one who plays the song live for Sting" but just call him by name and in my opinion you really pay your dues here to him and Sting. Good video, Paul!

[@chrissoclone]

That's Bards for you, always exaggerating the stories a little bit for entertainment. :)

[@mpactdesignmedia]

I hadn't seen this video, but knew immediately WHO he was speaking about when he described you after watching the first few minutes of Rick's interview. Thus, I went to your channel and found this immediately. Your words and intent were misrepresented - plain and simple.

[@nickwrxsti]

What a shame that Miller sounds so snippy about it. Oh well. Despite not mentioning your name, you get a few more clicks for the great work!

[@iggytse]

As soon as Dominic mentioned a Dutch guy on KZbin teaching guitar I knew it was you!

[@listeriamonocytogenes4679]

Did you also come after seeing Rick Beato's interview with Dominic Miller? 😂

[@curiousmusician6313]

Yes 😂

[@joonasvuomajoki2636]

Yep. 😂

[@antivirus5497]

😆😆😆😆

[@Bamagolfandguitar]

100%

[@Jack.Waters]

Yes, but I had seen it before. I didn't believe then either that Dom wouldn't play his own chords.

[@StonyBlazestation]

As soon as Dominic mentioned "some Dutch guy" in his Rick Beato interview I knew it had to be Paul.

[@Ferramusic]

Same here 😀

[@wmw0702]

Some dutch guy with over 3 million subscribers 😁😁

[@fiddle18]

Me too!

[@edwinvanvugt7258]

Yep, could not been anyone else :)

[@davidg8888]

I thought it probably was but it could have been @GuitarPilgrim too. He's also very good but has a "mere" 300+k subscribers! SO that's what settled it.

[@77Matt]

Who is here because Dominic Miller mentions "SOME DUTCH GUY" in Rick Beato's interview with him? :D

[@Eloosive77]

Damn, I was hoping to get here first...lol

[@SilnikiStirlingaimodelarstwo]

If Dom is referencing to this video, it is not quite true that Dutch guy(:D) ignored him. Author of this riff is introduced in first seconds of video.

[@stevemyers2092]

lol yah me too......

[@vancedylan5842]

....aaaand here we all are...checking out that dutch guy...lol

[@the_fleeing_dutchman]

I saw Paul's version first and then the Beato interview 😁😁

[@Jeffman529]

Thank you mister guitar man

[@MrLJdizzle]

Mysteryguitarman?

[@paulobarroso3907]

He is the guitar obi wan

[@andrewlong7578]

Tally me guitar-a

[@gregorylo6176]

​@@paulobarroso3907 😅z😅

[@brathahn24]

@@paulobarroso3907Obi-Wan Guitari

[@michamozdzen4704]

It will not be an exaggeration to say that this was one of the most engaging guitar lessons I have ever watched.

[@Row65537]

Fully agree !

[@sobeit1927]

Yeah to that .

[@Google_Does_Evil_Now]

At first I thought I wouldn't like this guy, but he's an expert at explaining, showing and doing. At every step he explained enough, showed us and kept us interested. KZbin algorithm brought me here. And it got it right.

[@sobeit1927]

@@Google_Does_Evil_Now he’s the real deal pal . Check out more of his stuff and you will see . Very professional videography too which also helps in the tutorials .

[@user-fg6bq1vt9i]

How do you get 437 LIKES? Seriously, I feel famous if I get 3 LIKES. lol

[@devmely]

The challenging aspect lies not only in successfully playing that riff once without any errors but in maintaining its flawless execution throughout the entirety of the song. 😅

[@peterbonnema8913]

I actually learned this song from this video for the first time. Normally I use sheet music but actually seeing someone do it, explain it, and hear a clear example seems way more effective.

[@DepressedCapitalist]

Finally Dominic played the song right on Beato's channel. This version, although decent, is not exactly how Miller's plays it.

[@scottm.9335]

Your video and audio production here is simply amazing. The camera is always where it should be, transitions are seamless, the lighting is natural, and audio is 100% consistent. Aside from great content, your viewers REALLY appreciate the production values you bring!

[@KennyEvansUK]

Agreed it's the benchmark for this type of video.

[@gooblinslayer5702]

Paul has come a very long ways. I said it last year and ill say it again. From teaching guitar classes and the random online courses he would do. One thing always remained the same is his professionalism and kind hearted personality. Truly an amazing man and musician.

[@isanta6221]

@@gooblinslayer5702 Yes. He's deserved every subscriber he has. I always love coming back to his videos I've already watched a thousand times.

[@davidparker9676]

The guitar has a lovely tone and the microphone picks it up nicely.

[@emka2015]

Dude, it's AI

[@cjcampbell09]

Dominic Miller went to the school I did when he was younger. He came to do a talk for our high school about his life and career. Later that day, my music teacher arranged a surprise guitar lesson for me with him, it was such an incredible moment for me.

[@PaulDavids]

Cool!

[@WyldestZakk1980]

Any proof?

[@cjcampbell09]

Well it was over 20 years ago, so no. I don’t have proof of a one hour guitar lesson 😂

[@unacuentadeyoutube13]

@@WyldestZakk1980 does it really matter if it's fake? Lying this much for likes isn't worth it, so there's no reason to believe it's not true

[@chrisgeorge4325]

Great story! He's an amazing player

[@FrankBatistaElJibaro]

@Paul Davids The way you show the evolution of the logic behind the creation of these songs is absolutely amazing. Great job.

[@AverageCarGuy]

I know nothing about guitar and have very little interest in even learning, but your video is so amazing and engaging that I’ve watched it in full three times. Your friend’s singing in the end was the perfect way to end it and she has a lovely voice and her own way of signing it which is sublime. Thank you for enriching my life with this rich content. ❤

[@MalMotorDedo]

This way of explaining the song is absolutely amazing, entertaining af, never stop doing it 😂

[@SpaceCattttt]

So.....40 years from now, he will still be showing us how to play the same song?

[@lukeadv]

@@SpaceCattttt I'm not sure you understand how "recordings" work.

[@SpaceCattttt]

@@lukeadv 🙄

[@hmmmmmm69]

Just play it how it's meant to be from the start

[@Enryu_CZX]

@@SpaceCattttt of course the people born after 40 years gonna need him 😂

[@JaredEdwards0608]

10:59 I went down this rabbit hole once. I think he's actually hitting a harmonic with that note. Incredible control.

[@perttutarvainenp-tunes6924]

Yes, I knew someone else noticed that too. That´s how Dominic play it.👍

[@SkunkworksProps]

That was my first thought too. It sounds much softer than an open string, and his third finger is definitely doing something there.

[@BonesDT]

How exactly would that harmonic work? Looks like he’s tapping one of the middle strings at the 5th fret with his ring finger. But it’s an A note?

[@JohnHorneGuitar]

Are you saying the 4th string 7th fret harmonic? Kinda looks like that but it's still tricky!

[@r0dr1b]

My first thought was harmonic as well and I still think that’s how he plays it 🎸

[@kingjb99]

Quite simply Paul David’s is the best guitar teacher on the planet. Your dedication to perfection in all facets from playing itself to the quest for beautiful tone is the ultimate lesson in what could be. Exceptionally entertaining. First class!

[@inky5168]

Truly wonderful. The ASMR of stunning guitar lessons and film/editing/sound/lighting craft. Thank you!

[@mark-1234]

In that Beato interview, Sting said something to the effect of, "It's all about surprise. If you haven't surprised me in the first eight bars, I'm turning you off." He definitely practiced what he preached. He's one of the best composers/songwriters I've had the pleasure of hearing.

[@matsinilsson9578]

There is def a fine line with becoming too creative and "surprising" vs. actually writing a good song, though. Sting may not be the best example not writing hits, though. 🙂

[@peterbernhard7415]

Viewing some videos on the Andalusian "scheme", first time I came across "forbidden" chords (chord is the word for several string at the same time, right). Does Sting mean some kind of in that sense "forbidden" note? Just wrote down here lengthy thoughts of mine: would you think a C sharp would come to a surprise in an A minor cadence? I cannot even tell if C sharp is forbidden (C sharp with A minor seems too simple assuming. In other word: I assume A minor wants C sharp as a surprise: this seems too simple). I will try that. I think it's easy to falsify. And still something else I would like to be allowed to mention: If there is ambivalence in what key - at all - the song is in that might have got something to do with "surprise". It's a surprising way to - now trying with Paul Simon lyrics I always could not even remember or understand: "leave your lover": 50 ways to leave your lover -- take "lower", "for instance", just drop off the key, Lee and make it all "free" - au lieu de '"clear", -- now I realize what not was but has become unclear - ambivalent to me: just drop off the E, Lee, and make'm all free yeah. - Thank you for allowing me to talk away under your patronage. I really made the most of your input, I really do think.

[@Bumper1974]

I totally agree I've been hooked ever since the first song I heard. He's amazing and an incredible composer.

[@hazardeur]

@@matsinilsson9578 the double negative in your last sentence greatly bothers me

[@matsinilsson9578]

@@hazardeur It is obviously contextual, and while disturbing, it is grammatically correct. All of us simpletons certainly beg you to keep it simple & contextual as well. While I don't need to address this no more ;-), Sting is simply not a good example of someone not (unable to) writing (write) hits. He manages to combine complexity with hit-making in some of his best songs. Others trying to be too creative and complex often screw it up. I am ugly, mean, and uncreative, but I aced all my English and earned a doctoral degree. They felt bad for me and passed me, double negatives and all. Cheers for keyboard warriors, armchair quarterbacks/guitar slingers, and useless & negative one-liners on social media. Best of health to ya!

[@lawrenrich6419]

These guy with his easy gentle demeanour .. not to mention his slick editing skills .. deserves his 3 million plus subs.

[@derekstocker6661]

So beautifully played AND explained. Thanks so much for explaining this wonderful riff and letting us in on its secrets!

[@JevVan]

I just watched this video 2 or 3 days ago. Then Dom was on Beato today and I was like, this is crazy! The power of the tubes. I think you both gave each other their due. Your video is about how amazing and complicated the song is. I never thought you were putting him down for it either. To me I felt like you were giving homage to the fact that it is so fricken hard. And Dom gives respect back to you when he says, I was busted for this so now I'm going to play the studio version live. You make great videos and great song explanations. And Beato does so too and get to do awesome interviews with true musical greats. Thank goodness that you both have a platform where you can entertain the rest of us with your musical brilliance. Thanks! Oh, and I can't wait for the DM PD Collab in the near future.

[@svdumitrescu]

You're not only a master of guitar and music theory, you're a magician. Man you're great. I've never watched a guitar riff so extensively analyzed and well explained like this one.

[@leinonibishop9480]

Love Mary’s voice in her lower register and the guitar playing is amazing as usual. Also Sting and Dom are genius.

[@jtbkilmartin9110]

me too. Her voice makes me melt.

[@filda2005]

the hidden leashed gipsy history makes goosebumps

[@sbutler66]

Dominic just referenced you and this video in his Rick Beato interview

[@smytherichbourg9344]

Mary Spender at the end was a treat! She’s amazing! Glad she inspired such a fine lesson with her performance. You both have inspired me to practice more!

[@Dadaadad268]

Easily pleased

[@addaiiablues]

That sourprise Spender ending was epic. Thanks Paul!

[@DesireeDuarteVera]

I screamed!!!!

[@bekakokoladze7594]

Nobody talks about how brilliant Sting is for letting the music play without him getting in the way. You can hear it at 1:03 and 1:38. It's just genius how a singer of his magnitude just shuts up and "serves the song". That's where the real magic is and why no copied version sounds the same as the original. Just brilliant

[@xzysyndrome]

Nobody? Pretty sure he didn't get to where he is at, because "Nobody" was talking about it. Somebody just spent 16:44 minutes talking about it.

[@LAM1895]

@@xzysyndrome You missed the point. The video wasn't about Sting's singing and how he knows when to not sing, and nobody was talking about that fact, which is what Beka was pointing out.

[@xzysyndrome]

Well, maybe she should have talked about it. I did....and here you are.

[@Vivi_9]

@@xzysyndrome who hurt you

[@lukeoverthere1364]

Sting was only great when backed by Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland. Never has his solo career come close to when he sent messages in a bottle (In my opinion)

[@shawnshana4343]

I don't play any instruments and just stumbled upon your video. I was enthralled. Captivated. Even though I don't inherently understand much of what you are talking about, you explain it in such a clear and concise way that even a non musician like me can comprehend the art to this music. You are a born teacher and have a beautiful soul. I always loved this song and couldn't really explain why. You've helped me understand. Thank you so much.

[@richardcole4776]

Absolutely wonderful lesson! I've watched literally dozens of videos on how to play this song, but this was far and away the best I've seen. Dominic's solo material is worth checking out for anyone that hasn't already.

[@ewokmuncher1]

Hey Paul, It took me about 15 years worth of attempts but I can finally play this beautiful song! To play "that" ridiculous chord I do it by leaving the high e unfretted until you need to play it, then transfer my middle finger to the high e! You just have to be mindful to not accidentally hit the open A while transferring your middle finger but it works beautifully 😊

[@yashpress]

Looking for this comment. I grab that high A with my ring finger and it sounds like it should. Also the open A for that second difficult chord. Never really knew this song before seeing this video but it was a fun one to learn!

[@pianoekket]

'Shape of my heart' have one of the greatest guitar riffs of all time. It's so hauntingly beautiful!

[@fabriziopinna]

Yes 🗿

[@dianesanderson684]

Totally beautiful song.

[@HarryVerey]

Outstanding detailed tutorial with top quality video and audio production. Brilliant musician. Lovely vocals from Mary Spender too!. Subscribed !

[@TomRValdez]

Brilliant presentation and analysis -- the gradient of your breakdown is SO smooth!! Thank you Paul!!!

[@sasquatch_life]

Mary has a fantastic voice! I totally understand the desire to layer the vocals, in this case with a harmoniser of some kind. Nothing puts you ‘out there’ like lightly supported singing and even John Lennon doubled many of his vocal takes. But like John Lennon, Mary’s voice stands alone beautifully. You guys are both top your game. Beautiful musical moments aren’t perfect. They are fleeting, transitory and very much imperfect. I would love to hear more real music on socials and you guys both do this so effortlessly.

[@diego2112gaming]

Fun fact about John Lennon's double vocals: He hated doing it so much he had the studio come up with a solution to save him from doing it, and they invented a method called "Automatic (or Artificial, both are technically correct) Double Tracking." Ken Townsend developed it in 1966, at Abbey Road Studios. Another prolific user of ADT was Syd Your Lord and God Barrett, most notably on Bike, where he uses it not just to enrich his vocal depth, but as an actual vocal effect, so his vocals are coming from two directions! Either way, yeah. TL;DR: ADT. Fun stuff. Beatles. Pushing music forward. Syd Barrett. Absolute Madlad.

[@DrsSputnik]

Absolutely fantastic. You’re like what Bob Ross was to painters… The easy voice and oh my, the skills! Amazing, many thanks for your great video’s.

[@machinediem4717]

According to Dominic Miller hes a Dutch guy with a lot of followers. Lol.

[@stringtheoryx]

Bob Ross?!

[@timoel]

That is the best description of this channel :) So smooth, humble and positive.

[@franciscoaranda4563]

"like what Bob Ross was to painters…" Wow ... that is the best analogy I can ever find..

[@KFGatica]

One of the best online guitar lessons I've encountered. Content, quality, description, production - A Rating Cheers

[@RtB68]

I've commented here and there over the years on your content and I simply love the evolving quality of the production work - your editing skills rival your guitar playing and the finished product is just very attractive to me. You're a great teacher.

[@MegaKei1]

I'm no musician but I am very very fond of good music. I don't even know chords and can't read notes. But seeing them broken down into their bare bones, I appreciate Shape Of My Heart all the more. No wonder this track sounds so damn good, there's so much complexity in it. Thanks for this.🙏🏼👌🏼💯

[@WavePotter]

Nicely said!

[@denniszenanywhere]

Me, too. Don't play any musical instruments compated to my entire family plays a musical instrument -- father, mother, stepbrother, stepsis -- but I feel like they were never into music as much as I am. Yup, ironic.

[@moie1647]

@@denniszenanywheretime to learn one! it’ll be fun and dont worry if ur bad now 😊

[@desertfish74]

Same here exactly! ❤

[@yak_frost1196]

@@denniszenanywhereyou'll learn to love music even more when you learn an instrument

[@EveToxic]

The timing could not be better, yesterday I started practicing this exact piece and the Chord shapes are literally killing my hands haha

[@Pbnj1379]

You are braver than I am!

[@aracron]

I had to take a break because it was causing physical pain, and, as noted in Paul's great video, it should not. :D

[@davepilgrim5798]

🎶 That's not the shapes of my chords 😂🎵

[@dentoncrimescene]

Well, not literally.

[@listeriamonocytogenes4679]

Same here ! :D

[@desertfish74]

Sting really made some amazing music. Goosebumps from this song too played on a good hifi system. I’m not a musician but I like listening to good music.

[@Bubba-zu6yr]

I’m a professional musician and music educator… AND you have good taste.😉

[@artistaccount]

Sting didn't write the guitar part

[@undinism69]

​@@artistaccountRick Beato viewers possibly incoming soon!

[@artistaccount]

@@undinism69 sting did the same thing juice wrld did. They both wrote a song over a cool guitar thing. Stings song didn't even make top 50 in UK charts lol. Juices song is the song of a generation

[@jp69424]

@@undinism69Will be interesting to see if Paul does a reply to it. 😊

[@cosmic53]

Exceptional clarity and completeness. Thanks

[@craigmcewan3277]

Fantastic (again) Paul. One of my favourite Sting songs. Way beyond what I can play, but fun to watch and learn

[@KrwiomoczBogurodzicy]

Bro, if I have learned it, you can too (as long as you have working fingers). I have absolutely no talent and I'm a slow learner.

[@VeganSemihCyprus33]

Dominion (2018)

[@craigmcewan3277]

@@KrwiomoczBogurodzicy I’ll give it a go😓

[@brololler]

I have to say that the pedagogy here is fantastic! 100% top notch. from simple to gradually complexing the tune, and explaining every step along the way. Great work. I would think that those that have you as a guitar teacher would be fortunate... if you happen to do that.

[@Kurlach]

Paul, this was a beautiful video. It’s so so far beyond my level yet I watched the whole thing. Your friends singing was absolutely wonderful, I’d sit through a gig with you both. Thanks for sharing with us all

[@kaj750]

Thank you for helping us to appreciate how well that riff is written.

[@ronnieaux5290]

When the video started playing my eyes literally widened from the shock of how high quality the video is... great work on whatever magic you're doing to make this look so good.

[@Nulthon]

The way you can play all of these chords and notes is crazy to me. I just got into guitar so I can appreciate how hard some of these chords are to get.

[@rdennisdom]

a word hard is too easy to say imho. for me it's not hard, it's a long beautiful way to get those chord. you can do it mate.

[@laivasimo8427]

That first "tricky" chord even makes you look like you dislocated your fingers 😂

[@michaelfowler3187]

You'll get there the fingers get strong and get smart if you feed them repetition and listen closely. If you want an easier and hipper version of this you should check out mike einziger explaining the pardon me acoustic version - those chords have inspired me for years

[@Chevsilverado]

Make sure your hand is positioned perpendicular to the neck rather than angled across it, use the tips of your fingers, and then just practice and you’ll definitely get it one day. Those two first points are what hold people back mostly so make sure you do those and it’ll come in time. What I mean by the first point is, if you’re playing a chord at the 5th fret, your wrist should be at the 5th fret directly below the place you’re playing, rather than having your wrist at the 7th fret and stretching/flattiening your hand towards the 5th fret. It’s easier and more comfortable in the beginning to do that second one, but it hampers your ability to play shapes and especially bar chords properly. Also start easy, don’t try to jump right into especially difficult shapes because it’ll just be disheartening and likely won’t help you progress. It’s important to play something you like and can make sound good, while making small steps towards harder things. Eventually you’ll be able to play everything and anything.

[@haikat4]

Eventually you start to realize and understand how they are all connected by the theory of the fretboard

[@FelixJacominoEdTech]

This video was absolutely amazing, perfectly explained and paced, and a pleasure to learn from. Bravissimo!

[@atomsofstardust]

This is truly mind blowing just how complex that song, how effortlessly Sting made it to sound, and how beautiful your explanation is (even though I barely understood 10% of it)!

[@Lacebylad]

90% over my head but so, so addictive to watch you play. Can feel an acoustic adventure coming on. Been too long since I picked up a guitar

[@user-tx7ki2nd2d]

Great lesson, we need more "why do all play this riff wrong" kind of videos!! Flawless performance!!

[@Mexxx65]

Domininc Miller and Rick Beato.....brought me back here :)

[@bashaenraets9156]

That was a joy to watch, and such a beautiful rendition of the song to top it all off. Thank you 🙏

[@carloscolmenarejo1589]

I always thought that there was something wrong with the way I used to play this song, and now I can understand how far was I from the actual propper way to play it. You're absolutely great Paul, it sounds amazing!

[@Joe_Joe20]

You’re definitely the most inspiring guitarist on KZbin! So pedagogue and talented 🙏🏼

[@scoggers1628]

Superb analysis, Paul and excellent video making as usual. Keep up the good work, mate.

[@colbydyess2383]

You’re literally one of the most inspiring guitar players and teachers I’ve ever watched

[@charlesgarber5911]

Amazing video Paul! I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Sting's music, whether it was in the Police or from his solo career, so hearing this song breakdown was extremely special. I'm so glad you capped the video off with a rendition of the song performed by you and Mary (she's such a marvel & talent), as it was a fitting send off to one heck of a well-made video. Much love from IN, Chuck

[@eeboy1778]

That duo at the end, Mary and Paul - gorgeous. Mary’s voice fits the song so well 🙏

[@avidbrood]

I greatly appreciate how you explain each step in examining this piece. I have been playing for decades but I have been a lazy musician. It has only been in the last couple of years that I have been intrigued with theory. I love how you dissect this piece. You break it down slowly. Thank you for helping me appreciate music so much more!

[@theselector2310]

Beautiful lesson Sir Davids!

[@geetarguy777]

I’ve “accidentally” played a handful of song parts probably… hundreds? thousands? of times throughout my 16 years of musicianship…never once have I stumbled upon a Sting lick. They are buried deeply within music, every single note he ever writes is intentional and has purpose, it’s actually incredible. The “riffs” aren’t his a lot of the time, but the chord changes are, but even they hide the musicianship well.

[@petergraham9267]

One of the great musical "teams" of recent decades IMHO is Sting and Dom Miller! Dominic is a MUCH underrated and appreciated guitarist and musician. His friendship and partnership with Sting has produced some of the greatest popular music of all time........ I could listen to their music endlessly.

[@stevemyers2092]

yah, too bad he didn't write this songs music. Dominic did.

[@TomTwain]

Lol... I think you may need to amend the accreditation for this piece... Dominic Miller might get all possessive about it...🤣🤣🤣

[@stringtheoryx]

@@TomTwain Dom said in the Rick Beato interview that he was OK with Sting getting credit for writing the line. He didn't sould possessive at all.

[@sirzee75]

And this is why Paul is the best ! Thanks Paul. Totally nailed this song analysis. Every day needs a Paul tuition video in it 🙂

[@peterhopqk]

Dominic responded to this video in the Rick Beato interview hilariously :D.

[@steveshuffle]

what a high quality video & content - incredible work Paul, thank you for sharing it with us

[@wimpanis1841]

Such a great video to watch and what a treat at the end! You make an instructional video into a storytelling and end it with an amazing collab. You must be so lucky to have MS show up out of the blue!

[@parsonsjim8130]

hey Paul, i have watched several tutorial on this song, yours is the best. Thanks for a wonderful job.

[@MikeAldercreative]

Excellent video Paul. That song is sure to impress anyone you play it for. It just has a classical heavenly vibe. Keep the quality videos coming sir.

[@russellklassen7951]

I was fortunate enough to see this song performed live some years ago. It re-shaped the way I understand what music means. What a powerful masterpiece! Paul, thanks for bringing it to us again.

[@BobbyLaneProductions]

you're such a rare talent in this space.. truly one of a kind.. thanks Paul for your content.. and you've nailed this song's essence.

[@utopiadaniele]

Beautifully explained and beautifully played (and sung). Bravissimo!

[@brybit]

Outstandingly well done video. Thanks Paul!

[@martina.8718]

Just saw him live yesterday. A night to remember, and he ended with this very song! ❤

[@thoth8663]

Where at ?

[@martina.8718]

Was in Singapore on 22 Mar

[@dabneyoffermein595]

@@martina.8718 Sting was in Singapore? dude must be loaded

[@JCridford]

A riff we've all heard a million times, and played wrong two million times! Wonderful video as always, Paul. I love your enthusiasm for the subtleties that only the guitar can bring to a piece. Great to see Mart guesting, too. That Collings sounds so rich.

[@PMCN53]

That was fascinating! Simple but so, so complicated. Loved the final section with Mary Spender 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻💕

[@michaeltiefenbeck]

wow, that was inspiring. Great video! And the finale was amazing!

[@mikemcintosh9933]

The guitar, tone and playing in this lesson - all extraordinary. Such a beautiful instrument you have there. The binding and hardware...work of art. The production of this lesson also...way above and beyond. Thank you!

[@joefrancis4578]

Do You know the make and model of the guitar Mike?

[@mikemcintosh9933]

@@joefrancis4578 I do not. I would like to.

[@boabydazler4388]

@@mikemcintosh9933 Custom Collings 0 12-fret

[@sailorjerry7282]

Thank you Paul... an 'achingly' beautiful, accurate and fun analysis of this lovely piece. May your contributions never stop on their inspirational path...

[@YoungMasterpiece]

Amazing effort and performance at the finish. Beautiful voice, as is your playing.

[@rocknuts]

Very technical guitar part and one of my favourite Sting track explained and dissected immensely well. Thankyou.

[@ShoeBoxMoses]

25 years playing the guitar and I feel like I have no idea what I"m doing. Brilliant, and did you break the 4th wall inside premiere and then take us back into the matrix. This video is next level. Well done is an understatement.

[@unacuentadeyoutube13]

This is the first song my music teacher at middle school showed us. I was mesmerized and it became the first song I learnt the next year. Just plain beautiful

[@JiBePe]

What an incredible indepth analysis of this wonderful riff. Thank you for this video.

[@fredericbourgha-david8032]

Crazy version !!! You both have a great talent !! Thanks for sharing.

[@exla96]

11:07 he hits the harmonic on the 7th fret of the D string with his ring finger. That's how I learnt to play it from a tab a long time ago. Much easier to do than the other variant :)

[@mkrd2000]

Intriguing. You can see the joint of his ring finger move when that note is hit - he wouldn't need to do that if he were just barring a re-tuned high E string to hit the A. But I can't see how even he would have hit the 7th D harmonic cleanly. For me, easiest way to play that D6 is to catch the high A with my barred index (sorry Paul) and get the 6th (B) with my pinky at the D string 9th fret. Sounds closer than using the open string form.

[@benbencom]

Almost exactly 30 years ago I bought this album. It was in my Sony discman with Shape of My Heart on repeat for the entire summer while I did my first real internship. Really takes me back every time I hear it.

[@sebastiancardenasholik]

I came here from the beato interview

[@wesboundmusic]

This was great, I loved how you took it from the simplest possible approach to all the juicy small, but noteable variations Dominic Miller presents here. Great playing, too and beautiful outro sequence with Mary! (had to sit down and learn the chords right away :-) ). Thanks, guys!

[@BillLarkinmusic]

You actually went thru the dissection of this song in the very same way i did a long time ago; Bravo, great video lesson and unlocking the secret of this beautiful tune!

[@DandyDev]

Thanks for the video! I don't play the guitar (I'm a piano man myself), but it's super fascinating to see you break down how this beautiful song is played. Loved it.

[@mattayres9748]

What an incredibly informative and well produced video .. impressed.

[@gf301]

Awesome stuff! I had no idea such a pleasant dreamy sounding song is actually so fiendish difficult to play, big respect to Paul for showing how it's done. In fact respect to anyone who can get their heads and hands round it,I think I'd end up in a plaster cast.

[@maxherron1376]

My favorite Sting song. Haunting, beautiful and that harmonica solo is perfect.

[@balcomoz]

Larry Adler did beautiful job

[@maxherron1376]

@@balcomoz Absolutely

[@nootypenguino]

I love how you do these videos. Thank you

[@1Nynja]

Wow. Good content. Crisp picture. Smooth editing. Excellent production. Quality sound. Great narrative. Top notch work!

[@gaiaorigin9569]

One of my favorite riffs to play, though it really took me some time to get it down smoothly - Difficult chord #1 was my nemesis 😄 I really like the feeling of this song, there is some kind of sadness or melancholy in this riff which makes it sound so great

[@arf9759]

No other song and its riff gives me goosebumps and puts me into a meditative space as much as Shape of my Heart! And you, Kind Sir, have broken it down so beautifully that has given me a tiny hope to play this masterpiece nearly as beautifully as the original! Gratitude! 🙇🏽‍♂️

[@cledo44]

Great contents. Awesome tutorial!

[@NinjaRRA]

So beautiful sound with greatly simplified teaching! :)

[@bengrillet]

I've recent begun to challenge myself to attempt to learn to play all my favourite Sting and Police tracks, and this looks like one of the hardest. But huge thanks for this daunting demonstration, and all that you do, and the meticulous way that you do it. Thanks also for inviting Mary, who we all love and admire for her own, totally engrossing videos, and entrancing eyes, and smile, and... I'll get my coat x

[@zachary963]

That’s a daunting task!! Good luck!

[@fritsvanzanten3573]

10:40 the 'taking the easy way out' remark Dominic Miller responds to 😁 (3:16 in the Rick Beato video)