The Shadows - F.B.I. - Guitar Tab

Another String of Hot Hits (And More!)

1987 2:21

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About F.B.I.

Few instrumentals from the early 1960s have stayed in the guitarist's repertoire as stubbornly as "F.B.I." by The Shadows. The track sits in E minor at 120 BPM in standard tuning, which means the open low E string rings naturally into the key and gives the bass notes real weight. The signature part is the lead melody line, played with a clean, slightly reverb-soaked tone and a light tremolo picking feel that demands control rather than speed. Getting each note to sing clearly and evenly at a steady pulse is the real challenge, so use the Practice Toolbar to loop the melodic phrase slowed down until each pick stroke lands cleanly. The rhythm guitar behind it is deceptively simple, but locking it tightly to that 120 BPM groove is what makes the whole arrangement sit right. This is a great tune for working on pick consistency and tone across a clean, Classic Rock setting.

• The melody runs in E minor using standard tuning, so the open low E string reinforces the key throughout and is worth letting ring where the tab shows it.
• The signature lead line requires even, controlled picking at a steady 120 BPM, prioritising note clarity over any flashy technique.
• A clean amp tone with moderate reverb is central to the sound, so dial back any overdrive and focus on your pick attack to get the right feel.