@RFY1760 wrote:

Does anyone know of a resource I can use to learn the picking pattern for the acoustic guitar in this song? I can only find chord tabs. There are several covers on YouTube, but no ‘how to play’ videos.

Thanks for any help.

Tab Pro has the tab for this song, but you have to sign us for the free trial. The free trial requires that you give your credit card info to begin – the rates are like $3 for a month, $8 for 3 months. $50 gives lifetime access

When this page loads, click on #3 for the Guitar Pro tab and this will take you the download page. The link for the GP tab will be at the bottom but Tab Pro should load in the upper part of the page. It might be slow in loading, depending on your internet connection.
http://www.911tabs.com/tabs/m/mark_knopfler/sailing_to_philadelphia_tab.htm#2234339

Other than that, its the old school way of learning a song but with today’s technology – download those cover videos and use a player like VLC to slow the videos down and loop and see if you can tell what they are doing. Use the original song with the VLC player in the same manner

Its trial and error and learning by the seat of the pants but many believe that is the most effective way to learn a song b/c it improves you pitch recognition

@RFY1760 wrote:

Thanks for the reference. I have the tab and the chords. What I’m trying to find is the picking pattern for the acoustic. The chords I’ve got done and I am working out the lead parts. Just not sure in how he is picking the strings on the acoustic.

If you have the tab, I would think that you could look at 1 bar at a time then if the progression stays on 1 chord into more than 1 bar, see if there is a pattern evolving. Compare each chord to see if its similar.

Needless to say, a player of Mark Knopfler’s caliber, its doubtful that he would ever use the same pattern throughout a song