Why Worry – Dire Straits | Note-for-Note Guitar Lesson

"Why Worry" by Dire Straits is a beautifully delicate ballad from the iconic Brothers in Arms album. With its soothing melodies, intricate fingerpicking, and arpeggiated chord progressions, the song showcases Mark Knopfler’s masterful touch and emotional depth. This track’s soft yet intricate guitar work makes it an excellent study for players looking to refine their dexterity, tone control, and fingerpicking technique.

At LickLibrary, our note-for-note guitar lesson breaks down every nuance of Knopfler’s playing, ensuring you can replicate his intricate phrasing and gentle dynamics. This lesson focuses on arpeggiated chord progressions, fingerpicking, barre chords, and slides, essential techniques for capturing the song’s elegance and flow. This lesson is taught by Jamie Humphries.

Techniques Covered in This Lesson

Arpeggiated Chord Progressions

Knopfler uses arpeggiated chord progressions throughout "Why Worry" to create a flowing and harmonically rich sound. Arpeggios help to separate individual notes within a chord, adding depth and clarity to the guitar part. Mastering this technique improves finger coordination, picking accuracy, and overall musicality, making it an essential skill for acoustic and electric guitarists alike.

Fingerpicking

"Why Worry" is an excellent example of Knopfler’s refined fingerpicking technique, allowing him to create delicate yet articulate melodies. Fingerpicking provides greater control over dynamics and tone, helping players achieve a more expressive and natural sound. Developing this skill enhances independence between the thumb and fingers, essential for playing folk, blues, and classical-inspired guitar lines.

Barre Chords

Barre chords play an essential role in creating smooth transitions and sustaining the song’s harmonic movement. Mastering barre chords helps guitarists expand their chord vocabulary, develop hand strength, and improve fretting-hand endurance. This technique is crucial for playing complex chord voicings across different positions on the fretboard.

Slides

Knopfler’s use of slides adds fluidity and expressiveness to his lead lines. Slides help to connect notes seamlessly, giving the guitar a vocal-like quality. Mastering this technique enhances phrasing, improves fretboard navigation, and adds a lyrical touch to melodic playing. Slides are fundamental in blues, rock, and country music, making them a versatile and essential skill for all guitarists.

About the Guitar Work in "Why Worry"

Mark Knopfler’s unique blend of folk, country, and rock influences is evident in "Why Worry," where his fingerpicked melodies and flowing chord progressions create a deeply expressive and meditative soundscape. Unlike traditional rock guitarists, Knopfler’s light touch and dynamic sensitivity make his guitar work feel effortless yet profoundly moving.

His playing style has influenced countless guitarists, blending technical finesse with deep emotional expression. The combination of fluid fingerpicking, precise articulation, and melodic phrasing in "Why Worry" makes it a perfect study piece for guitarists wanting to develop control, finger independence, and expressive dynamics.

Master "Why Worry" with LickLibrary

This lesson is perfect for guitarists looking to refine their fingerstyle technique, improve articulation, and develop dynamic control. Our detailed step-by-step breakdown ensures that every note, technique, and subtle phrasing detail is covered, helping you to capture the essence of Knopfler’s playing style.

Whether you're an intermediate guitarist seeking to enhance fingerpicking skills or an advanced player wanting to perfect delicate phrasing, this lesson provides a comprehensive guide to one of Dire Straits’ most emotionally resonant songs.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Arpeggiated Chord Progressions
• Fingerpicking
• Barre Chords
• Slides

Start learning "Why Worry" today and bring Knopfler’s signature smooth and expressive playing into your own guitar work!