SULTANS OF SWING - Learn The Solos

SULTANS OF SWING – THE SOLOS

In this fourth of four sessions we will be looking at Mark Knopfler’s iconic song, Sultans of Swing. The two solos are now regarded as some of the most iconic lead guitar player laid down to record. Mark Knoplfer himself states that if he misses out any of the twiddly bits then the song just doesn’t hit right live.

The two iconic solos in Sultans of Swing are fantastic studies in Mark Knopfler’s approach to phrasing, dynamics and fingerstyle lead guitar. The notes matter, but much of the magic comes from articulation and touch.

First Solo

The first solo is relatively melodic and spacious, making it a great study in phrasing over changing chords. Key techniques include:

• Fingerstyle lead playing – using thumb and fingers rather than a plectrum gives the notes Knopfler’s distinctive attack.
• Chord-tone targeting – the phrases closely follow the underlying harmony rather than simply running up and down a pentatonic scale. It is showcase of chord tones, caged triads, etc.
• Bends and vibrato – accurate pitching and controlled vibrato are essential to making sustained notes sing.
• Hammer-ons and pull-offs – used to create smooth, flowing phrases and contrast with more strongly attacked notes.
• Slides and position shifts – connecting melodic ideas naturally across the fretboard.
• Dynamics and space – knowing when not to play is just as important. The phrases breathe and interact with the rhythm section so applying the rests is important..

Final Solo

The famous outro solo takes everything up a level. It requires greater speed, accuracy, stamina and finger independence, while still retaining Knopfler’s relaxed musical feel.

You’ll encounter rapid fingerpicked phrases, arpeggiated ideas, string crossing, repeated-note patterns and fast position changes. The challenge is keeping everything clean and rhythmically controlled as the intensity builds.

It also combines chord shapes and lead lines, with phrases often built around the underlying harmony. This is one of the reasons the solo sounds so musical even when the playing becomes technically demanding.

Who’s this session suitable for?

High intermediate to Low Advanced 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.