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Sultans of Swing - Basic Membership

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Sultans of Swing (backing track) Joshua H. Rogers)

Introduction

Mark Knopfler from Dire Straits is unquestionably one of the greatest and most distinctive guitarists of the modern age. In an age where most electric guitarists used a pick Knopfler bucked the trend by using his fingers in a similar yet distinctive style to say Lindsay Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac. 

Sultans of Swing is a track from their 1977 self-titled album and it is in all likelihood the song that most guitar players want to learn and master. 

Tips

  • 25 guitar licks (small series of notes used as a 'call & response' between the vocals
  • 2 stand alone 'signature' solos
  • Key of D minor
  • BPM at 149
  • Fingerpicking (no pick)
  • Recorded with a 61 Fender Stratocaster

I have painstakingly transcribed the entire song as accurately as I could and I've made 4 video tutorials and a backing track. Of course I'm teaching you how to play this using an acoustic guitar so I have out of necessity changed some of the fingering locations to make life easier for acoustic players. 

Let your fingers fly!