Private Investigations by Dire Straits

The iconic track "Private Investigations" by Dire Straits is a masterclass in atmospheric and evocative guitar work, showcasing Mark Knopfler's genius as a player and composer. At Licklibrary.com, we provide a note-for-note guitar lesson for this song, focusing on its unique techniques and expressive playing style. This guide explores the intricacies of the song and highlights the techniques used, providing you with a deeper understanding of how to recreate its magic. Jamie Humphries breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Song and Guitarist

Mark Knopfler, the driving force behind Dire Straits, is celebrated for his unique fingerpicking technique and ability to evoke deep emotion through his playing. "Private Investigations" stands out in the Dire Straits catalog as a moody, cinematic piece that merges storytelling with intricate guitar work. Knopfler's influence on the world of guitar is profound, inspiring generations of players to adopt his melodic and percussive approach.

The song itself is a showcase of restraint, dynamics, and atmosphere. Its sparse yet intricate arrangement provides an excellent learning opportunity for guitarists wanting to master subtlety and precision.

Techniques Covered in the Lesson

Our lesson on "Private Investigations" covers a range of techniques that are fundamental to the song's evocative style. Each technique is broken down in detail, ensuring you can incorporate these skills into your playing repertoire.

Finger-Picking

Mark Knopfler's finger-picking style is the cornerstone of "Private Investigations." The technique involves using your fingers to pluck the strings rather than a pick, offering greater control over dynamics and tone.

• Benefit: Finger-picking enhances articulation and enables a more intimate connection with the instrument, allowing for nuanced and expressive playing.

Arpeggiated Chord Progressions

Throughout the song, arpeggiated chords are used to create a haunting and melodic foundation. This involves playing the notes of a chord in succession rather than strumming them together.

• Benefit: Learning arpeggiated chord progressions improves your finger independence and helps develop a sense of timing and flow.

Slides

Knopfler frequently uses slides to transition between notes, adding a smooth and fluid quality to the melody lines.

• Benefit: Practicing slides enhances fretboard navigation and adds expressiveness to your solos.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

These techniques are used to add fluidity to melodic passages. A hammer-on involves striking the string with a fretting finger without picking, while a pull-off does the reverse.

• Benefit: Hammer-ons and pull-offs improve finger strength and enable you to play faster, more legato lines.

Sustain

The song’s slow, emotive passages rely on controlled sustain, allowing notes to resonate and create a sense of space.

• Benefit: Mastering sustain teaches you how to control note duration and maximise the emotional impact of your playing.

Vibrato

Knopfler’s subtle vibrato adds a vocal-like quality to his notes, enhancing their expressiveness.

• Benefit: Vibrato brings life to sustained notes, making your playing sound more dynamic and polished.

Harmonics

Natural harmonics are used to add shimmering overtones that complement the song's ethereal feel.

• Benefit: Harmonics broaden your tonal palette and teach you precision in striking specific parts of the string.

String Bending

Occasional string bends in the track add tension and resolve, a hallmark of Knopfler's melodic phrasing.

• Benefit: Practicing string bends improves pitch accuracy and expressive control.

Why Learn "Private Investigations"?

This lesson is perfect for intermediate and advanced players who want to refine their technique and develop a more nuanced approach to guitar. Learning "Private Investigations" will help you:

1. Master dynamic control through finger-picking.
2. Develop a stronger connection between melody and rhythm.
3. Expand your technical skills with essential techniques like arpeggios, slides, and harmonics.
4. Gain insight into Mark Knopfler’s distinctive style, which can inspire your own compositions and improvisations.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

Here is a list of the guitar techniques covered in the "Private Investigations" lesson. Click on each link for a detailed explanation and additional resources:

• Finger-Picking
• Arpeggiated Chord Progressions
• Slides
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Sustain
• Vibrato
• Harmonics
• String Bending

By mastering these techniques, you’ll not only be able to play "Private Investigations" note for note but also develop a toolkit of skills that you can apply across a variety of genres and styles.