Ed Sheeran - Shape Of You - Guitar Lesson

About Shape Of You

At 96 BPM in C# minor, "Shape Of You" sits in a comfortable mid-tempo range that can still trip you up if you rush the groove. The song is built around a repeating melodic riff that drives the entire track, and nailing its feel is more important than raw speed. On guitar in E Standard tuning, the challenge is staying locked into that laid-back, slightly percussive pocket while keeping the notes clean and even. Ed Sheeran is known for blending fingerpicking and rhythmic tapping on the body of the guitar, so even a stripped-back acoustic version rewards attention to right-hand dynamics. The Pop Rock feel here means you want a light but deliberate touch rather than heavy strumming. If the main riff feels slippery at tempo, pull it up in the Practice Toolbar, loop the phrase, and work it slowed down until each note speaks clearly before pushing the speed back up.

• The signature riff in C# minor repeats throughout the song, so getting its rhythmic feel locked in is the single most important thing to practise.
• E Standard tuning keeps the song accessible for most guitarists, with no retuning or capo required to match the recorded key.
• Using the Practice Toolbar to loop the main riff slowed down is especially useful here, as the groove depends on consistent note weight rather than speed.