|
learn guitar
| dire straights | mark knopfler
|
Learn Guitar Online, Dire Straights - Three Tips For Creating The Mark Knopfler Sound
|
The unique guitar style of Mark Knopfler is an important part of
Dire Straights instantly recognizable sound.
Apart from his work with the group Dire Straights, Mark has
guested on works by other well-known artists such as Chet Atkins,
John Fogerty, Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton.
While Knopfler is known predominantly for his finger style guitar
playing, during recording sessions Mark uses a pick for the
rhythm guitar parts to give the guitar more definition.
Here are three tips to help create that famous Dire Straights
guitar sound.
Tip 1: triads played on the 2nd,3rd and 4th strings.
A significant part of Mark's style revolves around triad playing.
Triads are simply three note chords, this very basic theoretical
concept can be found everywhere in keyboard study methods,
however it's hardly mentioned and certainly not developed to it's
full potential in mainstream guitar study material.
The concept is to stack the notes of a scale on top of each
other, much like a layer cake. By stacking the notes using the
interval of a third the diatonic scale in the key of C major
creates the following chords.
Chord 1 = C major (C-E-G), Chord 2 = D minor (D-F-A), chord 3 = E
minor (E-G-B), chord four = F major (F-A-C), chord 5 = G major
(G-B-D), chord 6 = A minor (A-C-E), chord 7 = B diminished (B-D-
F), chord eight is the same chord as chord one C major (C-E-G),
only one octave higher.
If we take these triads and play them on the 2nd,3rd and 4th
strings of the guitar you will immediately hear how Mark Knopfler
creates his clear guitar chord style. This triad style of chord
playing is so clear and defined because there is no note
duplication of notes in the chord.
To convert these triads to the 2nd, 3rd and 4th strings we will
need to invert the chords, this is simply a matter of placing the
lowest note in each chord at the top of the chord, in other words
we re-arrange the note sequence in the chord.
Playing the triads produced from the C major diatonic scale on
the 2nd,3rd & 4th would produce the following inversions: C major
(E-G-C), the "E" is played on the fourth string, "G" is played
third string open and the "C" is played on the second string.
Preceding to the D minor chord on the same string set we would
arrive at the following: D minor (F-A-D), "F" played on the
fourth string, "A" played on the third string and "D" played on
the second string.
Tip 2: Harmonic minor scale
Mark Knopfler favors the harmonic minor scale to produce
contrast and tension in his playing. The harmonic scale is simply
the natural minor scale with a sharpened 7th note.
Here is a quick way to get your head (and fingers) around this
scale.
C major = C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C
has a relative minor scale (the "A" natural minor scale) that
contains exactly the same notes only in a different order.
A natural minor = A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A
to create the "A" harmonic minor scale we only need to sharpen
the 7th note.
hence the "A" harmonic scale = A, B, C, D, E, F, G#, A
Tip 3: learn to recognize chord progressions
One of the most popular Dire Straights songs would have to be
"Sultans Of Swing" which is based on the same chord progression
as "Greensleeves".
No wonder people like this song, it is because we're comfortable
with the chord progression, there is something familiar about it.
The group Metallica use this same chord progression for their
song "Nothing Else Matters".
Here is the progression:
Dm/// | C/Bb/ | A7/// | A7/// ||
|
Express
Guitar Home:
Learn
How to Play Guitar
Rave Reviews for Express Guitar:
| As
a student of Mike Hayes since 1999, I have found his teaching methods
and products to be first class. Whatever style or area of music I have
been interested in, he has provided me with useful information, advice
and study materials. His style of teaching and teaching products
enabled me to progress through his guitar course far quicker than I
ever imagined. He also helps in teaching yourself to find and develop
your own style of music. Mike’s teaching gives his
student’s the ability to become useful musicians, not just
guitarists.
Stephen J Reid
Guitarist & Musician
Australia
This
course teaches us how to learn, how to retain, and how to recall
information quickly. This entire program is built around "connected
learning" with key phrases, picture words ( yes there is such a thing )
and the most dynamic personal motivator I have ever had the pleasure of
knowing.
Ken C Simpson
Business Owner & Guitarist
Queensland, Australia
The
course is varied, in-depth and well-structured, making learning and
comprehension fast, thorough and enjoyable. It’s a great way of
learning, as you can pace yourself and move onto the next stage when
you feel competent. I find this course both innovative and
inspirational. I find myself leaving Mike’s lessons with the
determination to reach my new goals.
Karl J Ricker
Sales Manager
Sunshine Coast, Australia
|
|
