40 Fingers Arrange ‘Sultans of Swing’ for Four Guitars

40 Fingers arrange Dire Straits’ “Sultans of Swing” for four guitars, distributing melody, chords and rhythm among the players.

The official upload credits Matteo Brenci, Emanuele Grafitti, Enrico Maria Milanesi and Andrea Vittori and identifies Cankarjev Dom in Ljubljana. The source places this musical detail within the identified recording and its setting. This keeps the individual contribution connected to the complete recording.

Four guitars take complementary roles: one may carry melody as others provide harmony, rhythm or additional lines. The source places this musical detail within the identified recording and its setting.

The parts share a family of tones but remain distinguishable through register and musical function. The source places this musical detail within the identified recording and its setting. This keeps the individual contribution connected to the complete recording.

The familiar song gives listeners a reference while the quartet develops its own instrumental arrangement. The source places this musical detail within the identified recording and its setting.

Watch the performance

Chord patterns and rhythm connect the lead passages and maintain a common pulse. The source places this musical detail within the identified recording and its setting. This keeps the individual contribution connected to the complete recording.

Melodic lines can move between players or develop over the supporting parts. The source places this musical detail within the identified recording and its setting.

Shared timing at entrances and transitions lets one passage lead naturally into the next. The source places this musical detail within the identified recording and its setting. This keeps the individual contribution connected to the complete recording.

The official source credits the quartet with arranging the Dire Straits material. The source places this musical detail within the identified recording and its setting.

The concert framing shows four performers sharing the stage and their distinct parts. The source places this musical detail within the identified recording and its setting. This keeps the individual contribution connected to the complete recording.

A second “Sultans of Swing” recording offers another presentation of the quartet’s arrangement. The source places this musical detail within the identified recording and its setting.

Their full A Guitar Night concert gives a broader view of the group’s playing. The source places this musical detail within the identified recording and its setting. This keeps the individual contribution connected to the complete recording.

The companion videos keep the Ljubljana performance distinct while connecting through the quartet. The source places this musical detail within the identified recording and its setting.

Melody, harmony and pulse remain separate roles within the four-guitar arrangement. The source places this musical detail within the identified recording and its setting. This keeps the individual contribution connected to the complete recording.

Related guitar tones create unity while contrasting parts give listeners several lines to follow. The source places this musical detail within the identified recording and its setting.

The official Ljubljana recording preserves the quartet’s coordination and instrumental interpretation. The source places this musical detail within the identified recording and its setting. This keeps the individual contribution connected to the complete recording.

More videos to explore

40 Fingers’ separate “Sultans of Swing” video provides another recording of the song.

Their “A Guitar Night” full concert presents a wider performance set.

Further reading: Performance background and source. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfkDcaGatIY