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Dire Straits guitarist Mark Knopfler reveals he got his playing style after pretending his tennis racket was a musical instrument as a child

BBG News

As an ardent admirer of musical legends, I can’t help but be captivated by the enchanting tale of Mark Knopfler, the virtuoso guitarist whose unique playing style was born from strumming a humble tennis racket as a child. This anecdote is a poignant reminder that even the most extraordinary talents can have humble beginnings.

As a devoted fan, I’d like to share an intriguing tidbit about the legendary Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits: it turns out that his unique guitar-playing style was inspired by nothing more than strumming a tennis racket in his childhood years. Isn’t it fascinating how early experiences can shape our talents?

As a lifestyle expert reflecting on my personal journey, I, Mark Knopfler at 74, share an intriguing anecdote about my early days with music. Growing up left-handed, I found myself mimicking the rhythm on a tennis racket as if it were my musical instrument. My dear older sister, ever the guide, took notice of this and, in her wisdom, flipped that racket around and said, “Play it this way.” Little did I know then, but that simple adjustment would set me on the path to becoming a right-handed guitarist, an unexpected twist that ultimately shaped my music career.

When asked by Lauren Laverne from BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs about his method, he replied: ‘It’s largely due to my big sister Ruth, and I believe big sisters play a crucial role in our world.’

We once owned some cheap, questionable tennis rackets, not expensive at all. Occasionally, we would play them like guitars instead of using them for tennis.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, let me share an interesting experience. I was strumming an imaginary chord, mimicking a guitar in my hands, when she flipped it around, encouraging me to hold it as if I were right-handed. She then asserted, “That’s how you play it.”

As a die-hard admirer, I’d share that Glasgow-born Knopfler revealed his unique approach to playing the guitar – being left-handed, I was using my dominant hand to shape the notes since the standard one wasn’t as strong for me.

He mentioned that it provided him with some room for adjustment, enabling him to perform a vibrato (the act of slightly bending the strings sideways) simultaneously on two or three strings.

The band Dire Straits achieved significant success in the United Kingdom, having five singles reach the top ten and four number one albums. Additionally, they gained global fame with their hits “Money For Nothing” and “Sultans of Swing.”

Desert Island Discs is on BBC Radio 4 at 10am today.

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2024-08-04 02:54

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