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INXS - Never Tear Us Apart - Guitar Lesson

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Key C major
INXS - Never Tear Us Apart guitar lesson video
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Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble6
Presence5
Master7
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INXS Pop Rock C major
Capo Advisor 0 C major · Original key

About Never Tear Us Apart

At 92 BPM in C major, "Never Tear Us Apart" sits at a comfortable mid-tempo pace, but its guitar part rewards close attention to feel and restraint. The rhythm guitar work here is all about locking in with the groove rather than flashy technique, with clean or lightly processed chords that sit back in the mix and support the song's emotional weight. The chord movement through C major asks you to focus on smooth transitions and a steady right-hand rhythm, keeping things unhurried and controlled. INXS built much of their sound in this Pop Rock style around space and pocket playing, and this track is a good example of why rushing kills the feel. If a chord change is catching you out, use the Practice Toolbar to loop that section slowed down until the transition sits naturally under your fingers. E Standard tuning means no retuning is needed, so you can focus entirely on getting the tone and timing right.

  • The guitar part is built around clean, restrained chord playing in C major, making smooth transitions and steady rhythm the main things to practise.
  • At 92 BPM in E Standard tuning, no retuning is required and the mid-tempo feel rewards behind-the-beat relaxed strumming rather than tight, clipped picking.
  • The chord voicings are accessible for intermediate players, but nailing the laid-back groove without rushing is the real challenge in this song.

How to Play Never Tear Us Apart

Tuning: E Standard · Key: C major · Tempo: 92 BPM

Use the section loop to isolate a passage, drop the speed below 100%, and set the metronome to 92 BPM to build it up to tempo.

Fender Stratocaster
Guitar

Fender Stratocaster

Tim Farriss's primary choice throughout INXS's peak era, the Strat's single-coils deliver the snappy, articulate attack essential for funk-influenced rhythms and ghost notes. Neck and middle positions provide the warm, round tone heard on 'Need You Tonight,' while the bridge captures the cutting bite of 'New Sensation.'

Fender Telecaster
Guitar

Fender Telecaster

Farriss used Telecasters for songs requiring tonal variety and cutting clarity, leveraging their bright single-coil character to slice through INXS's dense pop-rock arrangements with percussive precision.

Gibson Les Paul Standard
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Standard

When thicker, warmer tones were needed, Farriss switched to the Les Paul's PAF-style humbuckers for added sustain and body while maintaining INXS's clean-to-edge-of-breakup aesthetic.

Gibson Les Paul Custom
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Custom

Similar to the Standard, the Custom's thicker tone and enhanced sustain provided Farriss with an alternative for studio tracks requiring deeper warmth without sacrificing the band's signature clarity.

Fender Twin Reverb
Amp

Fender Twin Reverb

This amp's clean headroom and natural chiming high-end response shaped INXS's signature sparkle, delivering tube warmth that breaks up organically when picking intensity increases without relying on heavy distortion.

Vox AC30
Amp

Vox AC30

The AC30's legendary chime and natural breakup characteristics complemented Farriss's dynamic playing style, providing the shimmer and warmth essential to INXS's clean-driven tones and chorus effects.

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