“Money for Nothing” by Dire Straits boasts one of the most recognizable guitar riffs in rock history. If you’re an intermediate guitarist looking to add this classic to your repertoire, you’ve come to the right place. This lesson will break down how to play the opening guitar riff of “Money for Nothing,” providing you with the tools you need, including free Money For Nothing Tabs and an audio performance to guide you.
Breaking Down the “Money for Nothing” Riff
This riff, famous for its distinctive guitar tone and catchy melody, is built upon the G minor pentatonic scale. To navigate this riff effectively, familiarity with pentatonic scale patterns is beneficial, particularly patterns one, two, and five. We utilize pattern two as a starting point, incorporate elements of pattern one, and then tap into pattern five in the open position to complete the iconic sequence.
The backbone of the “Money for Nothing” riff lies in its use of power chords. You’ll encounter standard power chords along with inverted variations, where the 5th note takes the bass position, adding a unique harmonic flavor to the riff. Understanding these inversions will enhance your grasp of the riff’s structure and allow for a more nuanced performance.
Gear and Tone for “Money for Nothing”
Achieving the signature sound of “Money for Nothing” is as much about gear as it is technique. Mark Knopfler famously utilized a combination of guitar and amplifier settings to create that instantly recognizable tone.
For guitars, a Fender Eric Johnson Stratocaster, or similar style guitar with single-coil pickups, is an excellent choice. Engaging position 4, which blends the neck and middle pickups, captures the desired tonal character.
Amplification plays a crucial role. A PRS Custom 50 amp head, or an amp with similar capabilities, set to the lead channel, can get you in the ballpark. Key settings to consider are:
- Volume: 12
- Treble: 12
- Middle: 1
- Bass: 10
- Master: 8
- Presence: 12
To further refine the sound and emulate the recorded version, a slap-back delay effect is essential. A pedal like the Visual Sound Dual Tap Delay can be used to add that characteristic depth and spaciousness to the riff. The setup often includes an isolation cabinet like a Rivera Silent Sister, miked with Shure SM57 microphones for recording purposes, though this is less critical for practice and live performance.
Download Your Free “Money for Nothing” Tabs & Audio
To help you learn this riff quickly and accurately, we’re providing free resources:
- Money For Nothing Guitar Tabs PDF: Download and print these tabs for a visual guide to playing the riff. Use them for private study and practice.
- Audio Performance of Money for Nothing Riff: Listen to this audio performance to hear the riff played at tempo and get a feel for the rhythm and timing. Using a click track in the audio will assist you in locking into the beat and playing with precision.
Practice along with the tabs and audio, and you’ll be playing the “Money for Nothing” riff in no time. For a deeper dive into pentatonic scales and fretboard mastery, consider exploring resources like Fretboard Theory.
