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Tears for Fears - Head Over Heels - Guitar Lesson

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Key A major
Tears for Fears - Head Over Heels guitar lesson video
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Amp Settings

Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble6
Presence5
Master7
AI tone preset

AI-selected preset based on genre and era — adjust the knobs to taste.

Roll back the gain slightly and pick near the neck for a warmer, more open crunch.
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Tears for Fears Pop Rock A major
Capo Advisor 0 A major · Original key

About Head Over Heels

Most guitarists come to "Head Over Heels" chasing that clean, arpeggiated intro, and rightly so. The opening guitar figure is built on gently picked chord shapes in A major, and keeping each note ringing clearly while maintaining an even, flowing rhythm is trickier than it first appears. At 120 BPM in E Standard tuning, the tempo is comfortable but unforgiving of sloppy left-hand fingering, so any buzzing or muted notes will stand out in the mix. The song sits in a Pop Rock feel throughout, meaning your tone should stay clean and bright rather than driven. Tears for Fears layer the guitar subtly under keys and synths, so your job is to lock in with the groove rather than dominate it. Use the Practice Toolbar to loop the intro arpeggio passage slowed down until your fretting hand can hold the shapes cleanly while your picking hand stays relaxed and consistent.

  • The signature intro uses arpeggiated chord shapes in A major, demanding clean fretting so every note in the pattern rings out fully.
  • E Standard tuning is used throughout, so no retuning is needed, but a clean amp setting or light chorus suits the song's bright tone.
  • At 120 BPM the picking pattern feels approachable, yet keeping the arpeggio even and connected at full speed is the main technical challenge.

How to Play Head Over Heels

Tuning: E Standard · Key: A major · Tempo: 120 BPM

Use the section loop to isolate a passage, drop the speed below 100%, and set the metronome to 120 BPM to build it up to tempo.

Fender Stratocaster
Guitar

Fender Stratocaster

Roland Orzabal's primary guitar for Songs from the Big Chair, its bright single-coil pickups and articulate tone create the jangly, shimmering arpeggios that define tracks like 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World.' The Strat's responsive dynamics pair perfectly with chorus and delay effects for that signature atmospheric sound.

Fender Telecaster
Guitar

Fender Telecaster

Orzabal used Telecasters alongside Stratocasters during the '80s for their cutting, glassy single-coil tone that sits perfectly in the mix with chorus effects. The Tele's bright midrange complements the band's clean, synth-driven production without needing distortion or heavy effects.

Fender Twin Reverb
Amp

Fender Twin Reverb

This amp provides the warm, natural breakup Tears for Fears use in live settings when they need grit without resorting to distortion pedals. The Twin Reverb's built-in reverb tank adds to the band's atmospheric, spacious guitar tone alongside their primary effects chain.

Vox AC30
Amp

Vox AC30

Orzabal deployed the AC30 for its chiming, slightly overdriven character that suits Tears for Fears's preference for amp-driven breakup over pedal distortion. Its natural sag and harmonic complexity enhance the band's clean, chorus-drenched aesthetic.

Boss CE-2 Chorus
Pedal

Boss CE-2 Chorus

This pedal is essential to Tears for Fears's signature sound, providing the lush, shimmering chorus effect that defines their atmospheric guitar work. The CE-2 pairs with generous delay and reverb to create the wide, spacious soundscape heard throughout Songs from the Big Chair.

Boss DD-3 Digital Delay
Pedal

Boss DD-3 Digital Delay

Digital delay was crucial for the band's layered, atmospheric guitar tone, adding spatial depth and rhythmic complexity to clean arpeggios. The DD-3's precise timing and repeats complement the chorus effect in creating Tears for Fears's distinctive '80s production sound.

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