Creator Area
Sign in Creator Area

Practice Studio

Tears for Fears - Shout - Guitar Lesson

Sections · Loop · Speed · Metronome

Not in tune?

Select a Loop

Start of your loop
End of your loop

Speed Control

Speed
100%

Tools

BPM
Key E minor
Tears for Fears - Shout guitar lesson video
Guitar 365
Guitar 365 Top Contributor
YouTube: 1.6Msubs 77Kviews
Creator Page →
·
–50¢ 0 +50¢
· Tap to start

Your browser will ask for microphone permission.

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.
Listen on Spotify
Tears for Fears Pop Rock E minor
Capo Advisor 0 E minor · Original key

About Shout

At 120 BPM in E minor, "Shout" sits at a comfortable tempo, but getting the guitar parts to lock in with its dense synth-driven texture takes more attention than the speed suggests. Tears for Fears built the track around layered keyboards, so the guitar role here is largely rhythmic and textural: clean or lightly processed chords that sit back in the mix without fighting the pads. The Pop Rock feel calls for a steady, controlled strum with some muting to keep the low end from muddying those synth layers. E Standard tuning means no capo or retuning headaches, which lets you focus entirely on feel and dynamics. The trickiest part is restraint: the temptation is to overplay against such a full arrangement. Use the Practice Toolbar to loop any chord transition slowed down until the changes feel automatic, then bring it back up to the full 120 BPM and focus on keeping the groove even.

  • The song sits in E minor at 120 BPM, making consistent rhythmic muting the key skill to develop for a clean, uncluttered guitar part.
  • E Standard tuning is used throughout, so no retuning is needed and you can go straight to working on chord voicings and strumming control.
  • Because guitars sit beneath heavy synth layers in the arrangement, practising soft pick attack and dynamic control will help your part blend rather than clash.

How to Play Shout

Tuning: E Standard · Key: E minor · 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.

Recommended for You