Creator Area
Sign in Creator Area

Dire Straits - Down To The Waterline - Guitar Tab

Practice Studio

Dire Straits - Down To The Waterline - Guitar Tab

Sections · Loop · Speed · Metronome

Not in tune?

Select a Loop

Start of your loop
End of your loop

Speed Control

Speed
100%

Tools

BPM
Key E minor
Dire Straits - Down To The Waterline guitar tab video
Guillaume Vrac
Guillaume Vrac Top Contributor
YouTube: 141Ksubs 61Kviews
Creator Page →
PLAY WITH BACKING TRACK
·
–50¢ 0 +50¢
· Tap to start

Your browser will ask for microphone permission.

Amp Settings

Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble6
Presence5
Master7
AI tone preset

AI-selected preset based on genre and era — adjust the knobs to taste.

Roll back the gain slightly and pick near the neck for a warmer, more open crunch.
Dire Straits album cover
Dire Straits
1978 4:03
Listen on Spotify
Dire Straits Rock 1978 E minor
Capo Advisor 0 E minor · Original key

Down To The Waterline

"Down to the Waterline" is a song written by Mark Knopfler, opening Dire Straits' 1978 self-titled debut album. It was part of the demo tape sent to broadcaster Charlie Gillett, which secured the band their first recording contract — making it historically significant in the band's rise. For electric guitar players, it is an essential study in Knopfler's fingerpicking style, blending clean melodic phrasing with rhythmic groove in a way that rewards players who want to move beyond pick technique.

  • Mark Knopfler plays fingerstyle rather than with a pick, giving the guitar tone a distinctive warm, articulate attack throughout this track.
  • The song opened Dire Straits' debut album in 1978, immediately establishing Knopfler's guitar voice as the band's defining sonic identity.
  • "Down to the Waterline" appeared as the B-side of the "Water of Love" single, giving it extra exposure beyond the album.
Fender Stratocaster
Guitar

Fender Stratocaster

The most iconic electric guitar ever made. Its three single-coil pickups, contoured body and versatile tone make it the go-to for blues, rock, funk and everything in between. Players from Hendrix to Gilmour to Clapton built their sound on it.

Fender Telecaster
Guitar

Fender Telecaster

The original solid-body electric guitar. Its snappy bridge pickup and no-nonsense construction deliver a sharp, cutting tone perfect for country, rock and blues. Favored by Keith Richards, Bruce Springsteen and countless session players.

Fender Twin Reverb
Amp

Fender Twin Reverb

The gold standard for clean tone. The Twin Reverb's 85 watts of headroom, brilliant spring reverb and crystal-clear sound make it the preferred amp for country, blues and clean rock. It stays clean louder than almost anything else.

Recommended for You

Play with Backing Track

Play with Backing Track

Solo (Backing Track)

Solo (Backing Track)