Every Breath You Take — Quick Answer & Harmonic Definition

Every Breath You Take uses the chords Ab, Fm, Db, Eb in the key of Ab. The progression follows a I–vi–IV–V pattern. This is a beginner-level song.

Rock · 1983 · Beginner

Every Breath You Take

by The Police
Key of Ab 117 BPM Beginner

Chord Sheet

Key of Ab · Progression: I–vi–IV–V

Ab
chord 1
Fm
chord 2
Db
chord 3
Eb
chord 4
Chord Loop
Ab — Fm — Db — Eb — ...
Key
Ab
Tempo
117 BPM
Chords
4
Genre
Rock

Practice Tips for Every Breath You Take

  • →Start at 59 BPM (50% tempo) until chord changes feel smooth.
  • →Loop just the Ab→Fm transition repeatedly — this is often the hardest change.
  • →Use our Metronome set to 117 BPM for precise timing practice.
  • →Click any chord above to see its full piano keyboard and guitar fingering diagram.

How to Play Every Breath You Take by The Police

Every Breath You Take (1983) is a beginner-level rock song that uses 4 chords: Ab, Fm, Db, Eb in the key of Ab. The chord progression is I–vi–IV–V.

Chord Breakdown

  • Ab — major chord, bright and stable
  • Fm — minor chord, darker emotional sound
  • Db — major chord, bright and stable
  • Eb — major chord, bright and stable

About Every Breath You Take

"Every Breath You Take" by The Police (released 1983) is one of the most recognizable rock songs ever recorded. Its 4-chord structure demonstrates how a simple progression can create an emotionally powerful and memorable piece of music. The combination of Ab, Fm, Db creates a harmonic loop that feels both complete and constantly forward-moving.

Learning Every Breath You Take as a Beginner

If you're learning to play Every Breath You Take, start by getting comfortable with each chord individually before trying to switch between them. The goal is to make each chord change automatic — your fingers should know where to go without you having to think about it. Practice the chord loop slowly with a metronome, and you'll be playing the full song within a few weeks.

Similar Songs (Same Key or Chords)

Viva La Vida
Coldplay
Ab – Eb – Fm – Db
Intermediate
Ab · 138 BPM
Bohemian Rhapsody
Queen
Bb – Gm – Cm – F – Eb
Advanced
Bb · 72 BPM
A Thousand Years
Christina Perri
Bb – F – Gm – Eb
Beginner
Bb · 45 BPM
Smells Like Teen Spirit
Nirvana
F – Bb – Ab – Db
Beginner
F · 116 BPM
Clocks
Coldplay
Eb – Bb – Fm
Intermediate
Eb · 131 BPM
Fix You
Coldplay
Eb – Bb – Cm – Ab
Beginner
Eb · 71 BPM
Metronome
Practice at 117 BPM
Tuner
Tune your instrument
Piano
Play on virtual piano
Guitar
Play on fretboard

Knowledge Base & FAQs

Every Breath You Take by The Police — FAQ

Everything you need to know about our browser-based Web Audio engine, instruments, and music theory workspace.

What chords are in Every Breath You Take by The Police?

Every Breath You Take uses the chords Ab, Fm, Db, Eb in the key of Ab.

The progression follows a I–vi–IV–V pattern. This is a beginner-level song.

What key is Every Breath You Take in?

Every Breath You Take by The Police is in the key of Ab.

The primary chords are Ab, Fm, Db.

What is the tempo of Every Breath You Take?

Every Breath You Take is played at approximately 117 BPM.

This moderate tempo is comfortable for intermediate players. Use our free metronome to practice at exactly 117 BPM.

What strumming pattern does Every Breath You Take use?

Every Breath You Take is typically in 4/4 time.

A common strumming pattern is down-down-up-up-down-up (DDUUDU) or simplified all-down for beginners. Focus on getting chord changes smooth before adding strumming complexity.

How do I play Ab chord on guitar?

Ab is the main chord in Every Breath You Take.

See our chord library for the Ab chord diagram with exact fingering.

Can I play Every Breath You Take on piano?

Yes! Every Breath You Take sounds great on piano.

Play the chords Ab, Fm, Db, Eb in root position or inversions. Left hand plays bass notes (root of each chord), right hand plays chord voicings. This is a beginner-level arrangement.

Is Every Breath You Take beginner-friendly?

Yes! Every Breath You Take is rated Beginner difficulty.

It uses 4 main chords (Ab, Fm, Db), all easy open or basic chords. One of the best songs for new players to learn.

What is the chord progression in Every Breath You Take?

The main progression in Every Breath You Take is Ab – Fm – Db – Eb (Roman numeral: I–vi–IV–V).

This 4-chord pattern repeats throughout most of the song.

Can I transpose Every Breath You Take to a different key?

Yes! Every Breath You Take is in Ab.

To make it easier, try transposing to G or D using a capo. A capo changes your effective key while keeping the same chord shapes. Use our Transpose Tool to convert all chord names automatically.

What genre is Every Breath You Take?

Every Breath You Take by The Police is a Rock song from 1983.

Its 4-chord progression (Ab, Fm, Db, Eb) translates naturally to different tempos and styles, making it a popular cover choice for musicians of all levels.