Learn to Play Dire Straits with Licklibrary.com

Introduction

Unlock your inner Knopfler with our comprehensive "Learn to Play Dire Straits" series on Licklibrary.com taught by Lick Library tutor Jamie Humphries. This package equips guitar enthusiasts with detailed lessons that focus on five seminal Dire Straits tracks. These lessons encompass all the technical finesse and musical brilliance of Mark Knopfler, the lead guitarist, and his significant contribution to these compositions. Learn to emulate his signature style, note for note, through these lessons which include song-specific guitar scales and in-depth guitar solo analysis.

Money For Nothing

"Money For Nothing" is a masterclass in Knopfler's ingenious guitar work. It's a great starting point for learning the unique finger-picking technique that Knopfler often employs. The opening riff, played in G minor scale, stands as one of the most recognizable in rock history. It cleverly combines double stops with palm muting, creating an infectious rhythmic drive. The lesson also dives into the blistering guitar solos that utilize slides and hammer-ons, exploring the subtle shifts between minor and major pentatonic scales.

Brothers In Arms

"Brothers in Arms" is a quintessential Knopfler piece where his clean and precise finger-picking style shines. Played in G# minor scale, it weaves together beautifully arpeggiated chord progressions with emotive lead lines. This lesson dissects the emotional weight behind the solos, explaining how the tasteful use of vibrato and sustain brings an almost vocal quality to the guitar lines.

Romeo & Juliet

"Romeo & Juliet" provides an excellent opportunity to explore Knopfler's love for open-string riffs and alternate tunings. This lesson guides you through the unique open G tuning (DGDGBD) Knopfler uses, which gives the song its distinct resonant character. From here, you will learn the song's syncopated rhythms and how they combine with arpeggios to create a compelling acoustic texture.

Sultans of Swing

"Sultans of Swing", a milestone in Dire Straits' catalog, is a brilliant study of Knopfler's dexterous finger-picking and his knack for creating memorable melodies. This lesson helps you navigate through the D minor scale, elaborating on how Knopfler uses arpeggiated chord progressions and chromaticism to breathe life into the solos. The song's intricate lead lines, often filled with slides and hammer-ons, are broken down for easy comprehension and practice.

Private Investigations

"Private Investigations" is a piece of music that takes you on a journey, with its evocative chord progressions and haunting melodies. Played predominantly in the B minor scale, the lesson focuses on how Knopfler seamlessly integrates finger-picking with harmonics to create an atmospheric soundscape. The guitar solo, with its use of slides, string-bending, and pre-bends, encapsulates the emotive depth of the song.

Mark Knopfler's Contribution

What sets Mark Knopfler apart is not just his technical prowess but his approach to music as a language. He chooses every note purposefully, articulating his musical phrases with precision and emotion. His innovative guitar work and songwriting have helped shape the Dire Straits sound, standing out for their rhythmic drive, melodic inventiveness, and aural storytelling.

Guitar Techniques Used

Our "Learn to Play Dire Straits" series features an array of guitar techniques. These techniques, integral to Knopfler's playing style, can immensely benefit your playing:

1. Vibrato
2. Alternate Picking
3. Palm Muting
4. Double Stops
5. Slides
6. Hammer-Ons
7. Arpeggiated Chord Progressions
8. Chromaticism
9. Altered Tunings
10. Syncopated Rhythms
11. Open-String Riffs
12. Sustain
13. String-Bending
14. Pre-Bends
15. Harmonics

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, this course promises to enhance your technical abilities and deepen your musical understanding, bringing you one step closer to the distinctive sound and style of Dire Straits.