Dire Straits - Money For Nothing - Famous Riffs - Guitar Lesson

About Money For Nothing - Famous Riffs

Few riffs in rock guitar are as immediately recognizable as the opening of Dire Straits' "Money for Nothing." The main riff is built around a grinding, palm-muted low-string figure in G minor, and getting that gritty, almost synthetic tone right is half the challenge. Mark Knopfler famously plays fingerstyle rather than with a pick, so if you want the authentic attack and dynamics, it is worth ditching the plectrum and working on your right-hand finger attack. The riff has a deceptively chunky rhythmic feel, and locking in the muting tightly so every note speaks cleanly without blurring is where most players stumble. Use the Practice Toolbar to loop the opening riff slowed down, paying close attention to where the palm mute lifts and where it stays planted. Once the muting is solid, focus on keeping the groove locked and resist the urge to rush the repeated figures.

• The signature riff sits in G minor and relies heavily on controlled palm muting on the low strings, making right-hand consistency the core technical challenge.
• Mark Knopfler plays fingerstyle throughout, using his bare fingers rather than a pick, which produces the distinctive percussive attack on the riff.
• Looping the main riff slowed down is particularly useful for nailing the exact points where the palm mute releases before the accent notes.