What You Need to Know Before Starting

Sultans of Swing by Dire Straits is playable at beginner level if you learn the main riff first, but the full song demands intermediate technique—particularly the lead guitar sections and the fingerpicking patterns. Mark Knopfler's original uses fingerstyle (no pick) on a Fender Stratocaster, which shapes the tone, but you can play the core riff with a pick on any electric guitar and still sound recognizable.

The song has three distinct parts: the opening riff, the verse rhythm section, and the lead guitar solos. Most players start with the opening riff because it's the most iconic part and gives you the biggest payoff for the effort. The rhythm work underneath is steady and repetitive, which makes it learnable. The solos, however, require bending technique and faster finger movement.

You'll need a way to hear the exact timing—either the original recording or a slowed-down version from YouTube or a tab app. Sultans sits in E minor and uses mostly the E minor pentatonic scale for the solos, so if you already know that scale, the lead sections become much more manageable.

Key Takeaways

  • The opening riff is the most recognizable part and uses a straightforward two-note pattern that repeats; learning it first gives you the biggest sense of progress.
  • The song is in E minor and uses standard tuning, so no tuning changes are required before you start.
  • Mark Knopfler plays fingerstyle without a pick, but you can use a pick on the riff and still sound authentic.
  • The lead solos use the E minor pentatonic scale and require bending technique; these are the hardest part and can be learned after you master the riff and rhythm.
  • Slowing down the original recording to 75 or 80 percent speed helps you hear the exact timing without losing the feel of the song.

Learning the Opening Riff Step by Step

The opening riff is the hook of the song and the easiest entry point. It uses two notes played in a specific rhythm: E (the open low E string) and G (the third fret on the low E string). You play E, then G, then back to E, with a rest in between. The pattern repeats for the entire intro and comes back during the verses.

Start by playing the open E string (the thickest string). Let it ring for one beat. Then move your finger to the third fret of the same string and play G. Hold that for one beat. Return to the open E string. The timing is steady and deliberate—not rushed. Once you can play those three notes in order without fumbling, add the rests (moments of silence) that sit between them. This is where the groove lives: the space between the notes matters as much as the notes themselves.

Practice this pattern slowly until your finger moves from open to third fret without looking down. Use a metronome set to 60 beats per minute and play one note per beat. Once that feels solid, speed it up to 80 BPM, then 100. The original recording sits around 120 BPM, but you don't need to match that speed when ready. Accuracy first, speed second.

The Rhythm Guitar Part Under the Riff

While the riff plays, the rhythm guitar underneath holds an E minor chord shape. This is what gives the riff its harmonic foundation. The E minor chord uses three fingers: your index finger on the first fret of the G string (third string), your middle finger on the second fret of the A string (fourth string), and your ring finger on the second fret of the D string (second string). The low E string (open) and the high E string (open) ring out as well.

You don't need to strum this chord in a complicated way. The original uses a steady, quiet fingerpicking pattern that lets the riff sit on top. For a simpler approach, mute the chord slightly (rest your palm lightly on the strings) and let the riff notes cut through. This creates the texture without requiring you to play two independent patterns at once.

Once you can play the riff cleanly, try playing the E minor chord shape with your left hand while your right hand plays the riff on the low E string. This builds the coordination you'll need for the rest of the song. The chord stays in E minor for most of the verse, so you won't be changing shapes constantly.

Moving Into the Verse and Building Momentum

After the intro riff repeats a few times, the verse begins. The rhythm section shifts slightly—the riff continues, but the strumming underneath becomes more active. The chord progression stays in E minor but adds movement with the picking pattern. This is where fingerstyle technique becomes useful, though a pick works if you're careful with muting.

The verse uses the same E minor tonality but introduces more rhythmic variation. Listen to the original recording and count the beats carefully. The riff stays consistent, but the accompaniment underneath shifts between sparse and fuller textures. This is easier to learn by ear than by reading tab—play along with a slowed-down version and match the feel rather than trying to memorize every note.

The verse lasts for a set number of bars before the song transitions into the first lead guitar solo. Knowing where that transition happens helps you understand the song's structure. Most players loop the verse section until they can play it without thinking, then move on to the solo sections.

Learning the Lead Guitar Solos

The solos are the most technically demanding part of the song. They use the E minor pentatonic scale, which contains five notes: E, G, A, B, and D. If you already know this scale on your fretboard, the solos become a matter of learning the exact sequence and timing rather than discovering new positions.

The first solo sits mostly on the high E string and uses bending—pushing the string up or down to change the pitch. Knopfler bends the third fret up to sound like the fourth fret, then releases it back down. This bending technique is what gives the solo its vocal, singing quality. Start by practicing the bend on a single note: place your finger on the third fret of the high E string, push the string upward with your finger, and listen for the pitch to rise. Release the pressure to bring it back down. Do this slowly and deliberately until the bend is smooth and in tune.

Once you can bend cleanly, learn the solo one phrase at a time. Use a slowed-down version of the recording and play along, matching the pitch by ear. Tab websites like Ultimate Guitar show the solo in standard notation, but learning by ear first trains your ear to recognize the intervals and phrasing that make the solo sound like Sultans of Swing rather than a generic E minor pentatonic run.

Putting the Whole Song Together

Once you can play the riff, the verse rhythm, and at least the first solo, you're ready to play through the entire song in order. Start at a slow tempo—around 80 BPM—and play the intro riff, then the verse, then the solo. Don't worry about playing it perfectly; focus on the transitions between sections and keeping steady time.

The song structure is: intro riff (8 bars), verse (8 bars), first solo (16 bars), verse again, second solo, and then a final verse that fades out. Knowing this structure helps you anticipate what comes next instead of getting lost. Many players use a backing track or play along with the original recording to lock in the timing.

As you get more comfortable, increase the tempo gradually. The original sits around 120 BPM, but there's no rush to match it. Playing at 100 BPM with accuracy sounds better than playing at 120 BPM with mistakes. Once you can play the whole song cleanly at a slower tempo, speed will come naturally with repetition.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The most common mistake is rushing the riff. Players often speed up the opening because they're excited, which throws off the groove. Use a metronome and stick to it, even if it feels slow. The riff's power comes from its steadiness, not its speed.

The second mistake is not muting the strings between notes. Sultans of Swing has a clean, articulate tone because Knopfler mutes the strings with his right hand between each note. If you let the strings ring into each other, the riff becomes muddy. Practice lifting your finger slightly off the string or using your palm to dampen the sound in the spaces between notes.

The third mistake is skipping the bending practice. Many players try to learn the solos without mastering bends first, which makes the solos sound out of tune and frustrating. Spend a full practice session just bending single notes until they're smooth and in pitch. This investment pays off across every other song you learn.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Stratocaster to play Sultans of Swing?

No. Knopfler used a Stratocaster on the original recording, but any electric guitar works. The riff and solos sound good on a Les Paul, Telecaster, or any solid-body electric. The tone will be slightly different, but the song is still recognizable. Acoustic guitars can play the riff, but the solos lose their character without the sustain and bending capability of an electric.

Can I play this song with a pick instead of fingerstyle?

Yes. The riff works well with a pick, and many players learn it that way. Fingerstyle gives you more control over muting and dynamics, but a pick is faster to learn if you're already comfortable with pick technique. The solos are easier with a pick for bending, though fingerstyle is more authentic to the original.

How long does it take to learn the whole song?

The riff and verse can take two to four weeks of regular practice (30 minutes a day). The solos add another two to four weeks. Playing the entire song cleanly at tempo takes most players two to three months of consistent work. This varies based on your current skill level and how much time you practice.

What if I can't bend the strings in tune?

Bending takes practice and finger strength. Start with thinner strings (like a .009 or .010 gauge set) which are easier to bend. Practice bending a single note up and down slowly, listening carefully to the pitch. Use a tuner app to check if you're hitting the target pitch. Bend from below the note and slide up into it, rather than trying to hit the exact pitch when ready.

Is there a simpler version of this song I can learn first?

Yes. Play just the opening riff and the E minor chord underneath—skip the solos entirely. This gives you a recognizable version of the song in one or two weeks. Once you're comfortable with that, add the verse rhythm and then tackle the solos. Building in stages keeps you from getting overwhelmed.