Roxanne
by The Police
Difficulty Profile
Skill LevelOverall
IntermediateRhythm
IntermediateLead
IntermediateBass
IntermediateWhy "Roxanne" Works Harmonically
Beyond standard guitar tabs and chord charts, discover the exact music theory mechanics, modal interchange, and voice leading choices that give The Police's classic its unforgettable emotional power.
Reggae-Punk Syncopation, Jazz Minor Inversions, and the Picardy Third Modulation
Andy Summers avoids standard punk barre chords entirely. The verse walks down through G minor, Dm/F, Ebmaj7, Dm7, and Cm7, creating an urban, jazz-noir mood before slamming into F7sus4 and exploding into the radiant major hook ("Roxanne!") on Gsus4 to G major. The syncopated upstroke stabs give the rhythm irresistible bounce.
Harmonic Progression (Roman Numerals)
i - v - ♭VI - v - iv - ♭VII - IStep-by-Step Movement
- •Gm (i): The shadowy minor tonic establishing the tense nighttime atmosphere.
- •Dm/F (v): Inverted minor dominant with F in the bass continuing the downward step.
- •Ebmaj7 (♭VI): Sophisticated jazz major 7th chord injecting bittersweet melancholy.
- •Dm7 (v) & Cm7 (iv): Stepwise descending minor 7th chords tightening the harmonic tension.
- •F7sus4 (♭VII): Tension-building suspended dominant chord pre-chorus launchpad.
- •Gsus4 → G (I): The sudden bright major resolution (Picardy third) in the chorus that illuminates the song.
Voice Leading & Counterpoint
- ›The bass line descends through five distinct scale degrees: G → F → Eb → D → C.
- ›Summers uses tight 3- and 4-note voicings on strings 2, 3, 4, leaving the low register completely clear for Sting's bass.
- ›The transition from G minor in the verse to G major in the chorus provides instant dynamic and emotional elevation.
Fretboard Mechanics
Pick only on the upbeats (the "&" of beats 1, 2, 3, 4). Keep the left hand light, releasing pressure immediately after striking to create tight, percussive staccato stabs with an analog chorus/echo pedal.
Switch from minor in the verse to the parallel major in the chorus (the Picardy third effect) to make your hook explode with warmth and emotional relief.
The Aeolian scale providing the verse harmony.
The parallel major scale that powers the uplifting chorus.
The minor mode governing the verse walkdown.
Ebmaj7 providing the sophisticated jazz-rock inflection.
Gsus4 resolving to G major in the anthemic chorus.
Musical Analysis
🎹 Key & Tonality
⏱️ Song Structure
💡 Understanding G minor:
G minor has a darker, more introspective character. The Spacious, syncopated G Aeolian reggae-tango verses that explode into an urgent Bb major punk-rock chorus mode creates tension and emotion. This key is perfect for expressing melancholy or aggressive themes in rock music.
Underpins Andy Summers' descending reggae-jazz verse chord sequence (Gm - Dm/F - Ebmaj7 - Dm7 - Cm7 - F7sus4 - G7sus4)
Relative major tonality that erupts in the driving punk-rock chorus (Bb - F - Gm)
The harmonic character shaping G minor
Understand minor chord construction and voicings
Primary Chords Used
Scale Patterns in G minor
G natural minor
Notes: G - A - Bb - C - D - Eb - F - G
Application: Underpins Andy Summers' descending reggae-jazz verse chord sequence (Gm - Dm/F - Ebmaj7 - Dm7 - Cm7 - F7sus4 - G7sus4)
Interactive Fretboard Map
Chord Progressions & Movement
Main Progression
Masterclass in descending diatonic voice leading: the verse steps down the G natural minor scale one degree at a time before hanging on suspended F7sus4 and Gsus4 chords.
💡 Theory Insight:
These borrowed chords from the parallel minor key add darker, more dramatic colors to the progression. This modal interchange gives rock and metal its signature swagger.
Chord Shapes In This Section:
Gm
Dm
Ebmaj7
Dm7
Cm7
F7sus4
Gsus4
Harmonic Functions & Roles:
- Gm (i)Tense minor tonic struck cleanly on the reggae off-beats
- Dm/F & Dm7 (v)Minor fifth chord smoothing the descent from G down to Eb
- Ebmaj7 (bVI)Lush major seventh color chord adding jazz sophistication
- Cm7 & F7sus4 (ivbVII)
Key Techniques
Reggae Skank Mutings & Suspended Voicings
IntermediateExecuting razor-sharp staccato chord stabs on the off-beats by squeezing and immediately releasing left-hand finger pressure across movable barre and sus4 shapes
Uses chords:
Progression:
Gm - Dm - Ebmaj7 - Dm7 - Cm7 - F7sus4 - Gsus4
Technique Tips:
- •Left-hand pressure release is the secret to the Police reggae chop—do not rely only on palm muting
- •Target the top four strings (D, G, B, high E) during the verse stabs so you stay out of the bass guitar's way
- •Switch to aggressive, palm-muted eighth-note downstrokes when the chorus hits
Practice Exercises
Scale and technique exercises in the key of G minor. Switch instrument sounds (Acoustic Steel, Nylon, Clean Electric, Piano) and practice at your own tempo.
Verse Staccato Reggae Stabs
Verse Descending Stabs
Andy Summers' descending minor-key chord stabs with tight fret-hand muting and suspended cadences.
- •Keep the Gm, Dm7, Ebmaj7, and Cm7 stabs ultra-short and percussive
- •Open up and let the F7sus4 and Gsus4 chords sustain for a full measure each
- •Feel the space between the guitar and bass
Explosive Punk-Rock Chorus
Chorus Power Chord Drive
High-energy chorus shifting to the relative major (Bb - F - Gm) with relentless downstroke drive.
- •Drive eighth-note downstrokes on Bb5 (6th fret E) and F5 (1st fret E or 8th fret A)
- •Dig in with the pick to create a stark dynamic contrast against the sparse verse
- •Lock in tightly with the bass drum
G Minor Triad Arpeggio Exercise
Summers Voice-Leading Study
Upper-register triad arpeggios outlining the descending Gm → Ebmaj7 → Dm7 → Cm7 harmony.
- •Focus on clear note separation across the D, G, and B strings
- •Listen to the inner voice moving D → Eb → D → C
- •Add subtle chorus or tape delay for authentic Andy Summers shimmer
Equipment & Tone Setup
🎸 Guitar
Recommended Model:
Pickup Type:
Bridge single-coil for biting reggae stabs; middle/both pickups for chorus fullness
⚡ Amplifier & Settings
Recommended Amp:
Tone Stack Dial-In:
Gain: 4 (crisp clean with punchy transient attack)
Treble: 7 (bright Telecaster snap)
Middle: 5 (clear, scooped new-wave definition)
Bass: 5 (tight low-end that leaves room for bass)
Presence: 6 (airy top-end sparkle)
🎛️ Effects Pedals
Overdrive / Distortion:
MXR Distortion+ or Marshall preamp overdrive for the chorus
Reverb / Delay:
Tight studio plate reverb
Modulation / Other:
Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress Flanger / Boss CE-2W Chorus for shimmering modulation
Recommended Learning Path
Chord Shapes & Chorus Power Chords
⏱️ 1-2 weeks
- •Learn the movable minor 7th and major 7th barre shapes: Gm, Ebmaj7, Dm7, and Cm7
- •Practice the chorus power chords (Bb5 - F5 - G5) with steady eighth-note downstrokes
- •Play through the verse chord sequence in simple whole notes to memorize the order
Staccato Reggae Chop & Sus4 Chords
⏱️ 2-4 weeks
- •Master the fret-hand squeeze-and-release muting technique on the verse stabs
- •Voice the F7sus4 and Gsus4 chords cleanly at the end of each verse cycle
- •Lock into the 134 BPM off-beat groove without rushing
Full Dynamic Control & Summers Modulation
⏱️ 4-5 weeks
- •Transition instantaneously from razor-thin staccato verse stabs to roaring punk-rock choruses
- •Add authentic Andy Summers upper-voicing variations and tape-echo rhythmic trails
- •Maintain pocket precision during the extended vocal-improv outro
Practice Notes & Routine
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- •Playing the verse chords on beat 1 instead of waiting for the reggae off-beat
- •Letting the verse chords ring too long instead of choking them immediately with the left hand
- •Losing time during the quiet vocal break before the chorus erupts
⏱️Targeted Practice Routine
0/4 Completed (0%)Check off each segment during your session to track your practice progress:
- 5 minutes: Movable barre chord transitions (Gm → Dm7 → Ebmaj7 → Dm7 → Cm7)
- 5 minutes: Left-hand staccato squeeze-and-release muting drill with metronome
- 5 minutes: F7sus4 → Gsus4 to Bb → F → Gm chorus transition
- 5 minutes: Full song playthrough at 134 BPM
🎯 Key Focus Areas
- •Crisp fret-hand muting
- •Off-beat rhythmic discipline
- •Explosive verse-to-chorus dynamic contrast
⏱️ Metronome Drills
- •Set metronome to 134 BPM and count '1-2-3-4' aloud while striking chords strictly on the off-beats
- •Practice the transition into the straight eighth-note chorus without speeding up
- •Use a drum loop to internalize the reggae-tango kick/snare placement