Classic Albums – Brothers In Arms (Dire Straits)

“Brothers in Arms” by Dire Straits: A Guitarist’s Journey
In 1985, Dire Straits released “Brothers in Arms,” a monument to the craft of guitar playing. Mark Knopfler, the lead guitarist, became a beacon for aspiring guitarists, thanks to his distinctive fingerpicking style and brilliant melodic ideas that brought each song to life. Dire Straits’ Brothers in Arms is one of the most popular albums of all time, spending 10 weeks at number one on the UK Albums Chart, nine weeks at number one on the Billboard 200 in the United States and 34 weeks at number one on the Australian Albums Chart, having sold more than 30 million copies worldwide.
In this guitar lesson course, LickLibrary veteran, Jamie Humphries walks you through the many highlights of each song from the rock giants one phrase at a time, including Mark Knopfler’s legendary guitar riffs and solos from the tracks; “Money For Nothing” and “So Far Away”, to the iconic title track “Brothers In Arms.”

Lessons Included in This Course
• So Far Away
• Money for Nothing
• Walk Of Life
• Your Latest Trick
• Why Worry
• Ride Across The River
• The Man’s Too Strong
• One World
• Brothers In Arms

Guitar Lesson 1: “So Far Away”
The song is in the key of G major and uses the Dorian scale. Knopfler’s solo is subtle and melodic, blending legato techniques and string bending to craft a smooth, relaxed sound that complements the lyrical theme of longing and distance.

Guitar Lesson 2: “Money for Nothing”
Mark’s picking hand here uses a combination of fingerpicking and palm-muting to create a biting, rhythmic tone. The solo employs Mixolydian mode, tapping into pentatonic licks, and is filled with pull-offs and slides that add a bluesy flavor.

Guitar Lesson 3: “Walk of Life”
A cheerful track in the key of E major, Knopfler’s playing here is both lively and precise. His choice of arpeggiated chord progressions provides a rolling feel, while the solos take on a more intricate, melodic form, utilizing the major pentatonic scale.

Guitar Lesson 4: “Your Latest Trick”
This track in the key of F# minor showcases Knopfler’s ability to blend minor pentatonic scales with chromaticism, resulting in a jazz-influenced tone. His bending techniques here offer an emotive feel to his solos, and there’s a beautiful use of harmonics.

Guitar Lesson 5: “Why Worry”
Played in the key of G major, the soft finger-picking patterns create an inviting warmth. The solos are designed to fit seamlessly into the track, with octaves and bluesy bends, making it a beautiful piece of melodic storytelling.

Guitar Lesson 6: “Ride Across the River”
Knopfler uses a Mixolydian scale and power chords to give this song its distinctive groove. The use of sustain in his solos and a touch of slide guitar brings the song to life, capturing a mystical vibe.

Guitar Lesson 7: “The Man’s Too Strong”
The song is built on a D Mixolydian scale, and Knopfler’s choice of rakes and slides provides a rustic, folksy tone. His solo work here focuses on melody and expression, avoiding over-complication.

Guitar Lesson 8: “One World”
This song in A major showcases Knopfler’s mastery over chord progressions. His solo work here uses pentatonic scales with some legato techniques, creating an uplifting, world-uniting feel.

Guitar Lesson 9: “Brothers in Arms”
The title track, played in G# minor, showcases Knopfler’s emotive soloing. His choice of Dorian mode and delicate vibrato imbue the solos with a haunting, melancholic feel, perfectly capturing the spirit of the song.

Mark Knopfler’s Contribution
Knopfler’s playing on this album is a masterclass in subtlety, creativity, and technique. He demonstrates how intricate finger-picking, well-chosen scales, and emotive playing can transcend mere notes and tell a story. His approach has inspired countless guitarists to explore similar terrain, bridging the gap between rock and blues, pop and jazz.

Techniques Used in This Album
• Vibrato, Legato
• Harmonics
• Pull-offs
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Slides
• Sustain
• String Bending
• Chord Progressions
• Bluesy Bends
• Octave Melodies
• Chromaticism

Conclusion
“Brothers in Arms” continues to be a treasure trove for guitarists, offering an array of techniques and stylistic approaches that engage, inspire, and challenge. Knopfler’s soulful playing is a shining example of how the guitar can be a voice, speaking directly to the hearts of listeners.