SULTANS OF SWING - Learn The Rhythm & Lead Licks

SULTANS OF SWING – THE MAIN PARTS

In this third of four sessions we will be looking at one of Mark Knopfler’s most iconic songs. Dire Straits recorded a demo at Pathway Studios, North London, in July 1977, and it acquired a following after it was put in rotation on BBC Radio London. After Dire Straits signed a record contract with Phonogram Records, they rerecorded it in February 1978 at Basing Street Studios for their debut album, Dire Straits.

For guitar lovers it is one of those must learn songs, weaving together superb rhythm playing with standout lead licks.

Some of the key techniques include:

• Fingerstyle electric guitar – Knopfler famously plays without a plectrum, using his thumb and fingers to create his distinctive attack and tone. We will approach the song in a similar fashion. However, if you want to use a plectrum, you can.
• Thumb and finger independence – alternating between bass notes, chord fragments and lead phrases while maintaining the groove.
• Hybrid rhythm and lead playing – constantly moving between chord voicings, fills and melodic licks rather than treating rhythm and lead as separate roles.
• Triads and partial chord shapes – using smaller voicings across the neck instead of relying on full open or barre chords.
• Chord-based licks – many phrases relate directly to the underlying harmony, helping the guitar part follow the chord changes rather than simply running through a scale.
• Hammer-ons, pull-offs and slides – creating Knopfler’s smooth, fluid phrasing and connecting ideas across the fretboard.
• String bends and vibrato – adding expression and a vocal quality to the lead lines.
• Dynamics and touch – varying the attack of the fingers to move from delicate notes to sharp, percussive accents.
• Muting and note control – keeping busy passages clean and rhythmic while allowing selected notes to ring.

Materials

You’ll receive:

• Lesson PDF
• Access to a video recording of the complete live session
• FOR THOSE BUYING THE COMPLETE SERIES, YOU WILL RECEIVE THE EXTRA PRE-RECORDED HD SULTANS OF SWING VIDEOS.

Who’s this session suitable for?

Intermediate to high intermediate levels of acoustic, electric  guitarists who can already fingerpick.

The level is ideal for players who want to:

• further their fingerpicking
• correct/tweak existing fingerpicking skills
• take fingerpicking to totally new levels

As a guide you should be familiar with:

• Fretboard knowledge – basics (E and A strings but all strings should be the target)
• Reading TAB Yes (including basic rhythm)
• Chords – Open and basic CAGED barres
• Ability to change between chords smoothly and play melody
• Scales – you should be comfortable with major and minor scale as well as your common pentatonic patterns

Things you won’t need to know (but you should definitely not ignore them):

• Theory – although it’s so useful to understand the essentials as it makes learning things much faster and better when playing with others
• Reading music – this is something to strive for as a long-term project

If you are a high beginner you will find this course a tricky, but that shouldn’t put you off. You can always buy the materials and then work through them at your own pace. Be focused and have a goal.

Materials

This online course includes:

• Lead sheet TAB/music PDF
• Access to a Zoom recording of the complete live lesson

Check out the whole series

• You can purchase all four lessons as one course for £70 which saves you £10 overall.

• Purchase lessons individually at £20 per lesson.

IMPORTANT POINTS

• You will receive the Lesson PDF and video link after your payment is confirmed. We will email it asap.
• The lesson video is a private link on YouTube. Please keep this and the Lesson PDF private. Don’t not share with others or online.