Sultans of Swing
by Dire Straits
Album: Dire Straits
Released: 1978
Genre: Rock
Difficulty Analysis
Overall
AdvancedRhythm
IntermediateLead
AdvancedBass
IntermediateMusical Analysis
Key & Tonality
Song Structure
Understanding D minor:
D minor has a darker, more introspective character. The Aeolian / Dorian (alternating) mode creates tension and emotion. This key is perfect for expressing melancholy or aggressive themes in rock music.
Pro Tip: Power chords (5ths) work exceptionally well in this key for rock/metal, as they avoid the major/minor quality and focus on raw power.
Primary Chords Used
Scale Patterns in D minor
D natural minor (Aeolian)
Notes: D - E - F - G - A - Bb - C - D
Application: Primary harmonic framework for chord progressions and melodic passages throughout the song
Fretboard Pattern
Chord Progressions
Main Progression
Descending minor progression with a major V chord (A instead of Am), creating the Andalusian cadence feel that gives the song its distinctive character
Theory Insight:
This progression creates a specific harmonic movement that defines the song's emotional character. Understanding the relationship between these chords helps in improvisation and songwriting.
Chord Shapes Used:
Dm
C
Bb
A
Harmonic Functions:
- Dm (i):Tonic minor chord establishing the dark, moody atmosphere of the song
- C (bVII):Subtonic chord providing the first step in the descending bass movement
- Bb (bVI):Submediant chord continuing the descending motion and adding warmth
Key Techniques
Fingerstyle Electric Guitar
AdvancedMark Knopfler's signature fingerpicking technique on electric guitar using the thumb, index, and middle fingers without a pick, creating a warm, articulate tone with precise dynamic control
Uses chords:
See chord diagrams in the Chord Reference section above
Progression:
Dm - C - Bb - A (fingerpicked arpeggios)
Tips:
- • If you normally use a pick, start by practicing simple arpeggios without one
- • Develop thumb independence - it must maintain a steady bass pattern while fingers vary
- • Practice on a clean amp setting to hear every nuance of your finger attack
- • Listen to the original recording carefully for the exact fingerpicking patterns
- • Knopfler's tone comes largely from the fingers, not from effects or amp settings
Arpeggiated Chord Patterns
AdvancedThe rhythmic foundation of the song built on flowing arpeggiated patterns that outline each chord while creating a driving, hypnotic groove at 148 BPM
Uses chords:
See chord diagrams in the Chord Reference section above
Progression:
Dm - C - Bb - A arpeggiated pattern
Tips:
- • Practice each arpeggio pattern in isolation before connecting them
- • Keep the tempo steady at 148 BPM - use a metronome religiously
- • Focus on even volume across all picked notes for smooth arpeggios
- • The patterns should flow like a continuous stream of notes, not feel choppy
- • Pay attention to the bass note movement - it outlines the chord progression clearly
Melodic Solo Phrasing
AdvancedKnopfler's melodic and lyrical solo style that tells a story through the guitar, using a mix of pentatonic and Dorian scales with impeccable phrasing, dynamics, and note choice
Progression:
Over Dm - C - Bb - A verse progression and F - C - Dm chorus
Tips:
- • Learn the solos note-for-note first, then understand the scale choices
- • Practice the pentatonic/Dorian switch - know when B natural vs Bb fits the chord
- • The fingerstyle attack is crucial to the solo tone - do not use a pick
- • Listen to the dynamic arc of the solo - it builds like a narrative
- • Space is as important as notes - Knopfler does not fill every beat
Practice Exercises
Scale and technique exercises in the key of D minor. Practice these patterns to build the skills needed for this song.
Intro / Verse Riff
0:00-0:30Minor Pentatonic Scale Exercise
The distinctive opening arpeggiated pattern that immediately identifies the song, with Knopfler's fingertips creating the warm, clean tone over the Dm-C-Bb-A progression
Minor Pentatonic Scale Exercise
- • Clean fingerstyle arpeggios establish the song's texture immediately
- • No pick used - the warm fingertip attack defines the tone
- • Bass notes on the beat with treble notes filling in between
Verse
0:30-1:45Chord Voicing Exercise
Full verse sections with the arpeggiated patterns supporting the vocal melody, adding subtle embellishments and fills between vocal phrases
Chord Voicing Exercise
- • Arpeggio patterns continue under the vocal with subtle variations
- • Brief melodic fills between vocal phrases hint at the solo to come
- • The shift to F-C-Dm for the refrain provides harmonic contrast
Guitar Solo (Mid-song)
3:00-3:55Minor Pentatonic Lick Exercise
The mid-song solo featuring Knopfler's lyrical phrasing over the verse and chorus progressions, blending D minor pentatonic with Dorian inflections
Minor Pentatonic Lick Exercise
- • Melodic solo that sings through the guitar with vocal-like phrasing
- • Uses D minor pentatonic as the foundation with Dorian additions
- • Fingerstyle attack creates a warm, personal solo tone
Outro Solo
4:30-5:47Minor Pentatonic Scale Exercise
The legendary extended outro solo that builds from lyrical melodic statements to rapid fingerstyle runs, widely considered one of the greatest guitar solos in rock history
Minor Pentatonic Scale Exercise
- • Opens with restrained melodic phrases that echo the verse melody
- • Gradually builds in speed, intensity, and range over the repeating progression
- • Climaxes with rapid fingerpicked runs that are technically stunning yet deeply musical
Equipment & Tone
Guitar
Pickup Type:
Single-coil pickups - neck position primarily for warm lead tone, bridge for brighter rhythmic passages
Alternatives:
- • Fender American Professional II Stratocaster
- • Fender Vintera '60s Stratocaster
- • Any Strat-style guitar with single-coil pickups
Amplifier
Recommended:
Settings:
Gain: 3-4 (clean with slight edge when played hard)
Treble: 6 (bright but not harsh for the fingerstyle attack)
Middle: 5 (balanced midrange)
Bass: 5 (warm but not boomy)
Presence: 5 (natural presence without fizz)
Alternatives:
Effects
Distortion:
None - completely clean tone, any grit comes from the fingertip attack
Reverb:
Light spring reverb from the amp only
Other:
No effects pedals used at all - Knopfler's tone on this recording is purely guitar, fingers, and a clean amp
Learning Path
Time Estimate: 4-6 weeks with regular practice
- • Master Dm, C, Bb, A, and F chord shapes in open and barre positions
- • Begin practicing simple fingerpicking patterns without a pick
- • Learn the D minor pentatonic scale in the 10th fret position
- • Practice switching between chords in time with a metronome at slow tempo
Time Estimate: 8-12 weeks for solid rhythm and basic solo skills
- • Learn the specific arpeggio patterns for each chord in the verse and chorus
- • Build up tempo gradually to 148 BPM with the fingerpicking patterns
- • Learn the D Dorian scale and practice switching between Dorian and natural minor
- • Begin learning the mid-song solo note-for-note at half speed
Time Estimate: 3-6 months for complete mastery
- • Perfect the arpeggiated rhythm patterns with all embellishments and fills
- • Learn the complete outro solo note-for-note with accurate fingerstyle attack
- • Develop the ability to build intensity through the extended solo sections
- • Achieve the clean, warm Knopfler fingerstyle tone through technique alone
- • Practice the full song arrangement from start to finish at performance tempo
Practice Notes
Common Mistakes
- • Using a pick instead of fingers - the fingerstyle technique is essential to the sound
- • Playing the arpeggios too rigidly without the flowing quality of Knopfler's approach
- • Not maintaining the 148 BPM tempo consistently throughout the six-minute song
- • Overlooking the dynamic changes between verse, chorus, and solo sections
- • Playing the solos too aggressively - Knopfler's phrasing is lyrical and restrained
Practice Routine
- • Warm up with fingerstyle arpeggios on Dm, C, Bb, A for 10 minutes
- • Practice the verse arpeggio pattern at 100 BPM, gradually increase to 148 BPM
- • Work on D minor pentatonic and D Dorian scales using fingerstyle technique
- • Practice the mid-song solo at half speed, focusing on phrasing and dynamics
- • Spend 15 minutes on the outro solo, working measure-by-measure from the beginning
Focus Areas
- • Fingerstyle electric guitar technique - thumb and finger independence
- • Clean, arpeggiated patterns at fast tempo (148 BPM)
- • Lyrical solo phrasing with dynamic build
- • Dorian/natural minor scale switching for color changes
- • Stamina for the 5:47 song duration with consistent fingerpicking
Metronome Work
- • Start arpeggio patterns at 100 BPM, increase by 5 BPM increments to 148 BPM
- • Practice scale runs (pentatonic and Dorian) in eighth notes at 120 BPM
- • Work on the solo sections at 74 BPM (half tempo) before bringing up to full speed
- • Practice maintaining the fingerpicking groove at 148 BPM for the full song length