Quick Licks - David Gilmour: Crafting Emotional Solos

"Quick Licks - David Gilmour" is an enriching guitar lesson series by Jamie Humphries crafted for musicians who aspire to master the emotional and expressive guitar style of Pink Floyd's legendary guitarist. This series delves deep into Gilmour’s use of string bending, phrasing, vibrato, and melodic playing, offering a comprehensive guide to his distinctive sound and technique.

What You Will Learn In This Course

35 killer rock licks in the style of David Gilmour. This course also includes a backing track to play over. The techniques you will learn include:

• String Bending
• Phrasing
• Vibrato
• Melodic Playing

Technique Breakdown

String Bending

String bending is a pivotal element in David Gilmour's playing. It's not just about changing the pitch; it's about expressing a feeling. These lessons focus on the subtleties of Gilmour’s bends, including his unique approach to microtonal and full-tone bends. You'll learn how to control your bends for emotional impact, ensuring that each one speaks with the same intensity and expressiveness as Gilmour's.

Phrasing

Gilmour’s phrasing is akin to a vocal line, conveying stories and emotions. This series breaks down his approach to phrasing, teaching you how to shape your licks and solos to create a narrative. You'll understand how to use timing, note selection, and dynamics to make your guitar playing more conversational and engaging.

Vibrato

Vibrato adds depth, sustain, and character to notes. Gilmour's use of vibrato is renowned for its breadth and warmth, often described as soulful and singing. These lessons help you develop a controlled, expressive vibrato, enhancing the emotional content of your playing. You'll learn to vary the speed and width of your vibrato to match the mood of the music.

Melodic Playing

David Gilmour is celebrated for his ability to craft solos that are both technically impressive and richly melodic. This part of the series focuses on how to construct solos that resonate with listeners, using melody-driven approaches. You'll learn how to blend scales and modes, articulate notes, and structure solos to create memorable, melodic passages.

Practicing Over a Backing Track: The Importance of Context

Each technique is reinforced with a backing track, providing a practical context for your learning. Playing over these tracks helps you understand how to apply Gilmour's techniques in real musical situations. It enhances your ability to adapt these techniques to different songs and styles, improving your improvisational skills and timing.

David Gilmour’s Guitar Style

David Gilmour's guitar style is a blend of simplicity, emotion, and mastery of tone. Known for his work with Pink Floyd, his solos are characterized by their melodic nature and the emotional depth they add to the band's sprawling compositions. Gilmour's style teaches the importance of serving the song, proving that a few well-placed notes can be more powerful than a flurry of fast playing.

The Benefits of Learning These Techniques

By mastering these techniques, you will:

• Develop the ability to express emotions through string bending.
• Enhance your narrative skills in guitar playing with thoughtful phrasing.
• Add depth to your notes with soulful vibrato.
• Create solos that are not only technically proficient but also melodically captivating.

Guitar Techniques Used in "Quick Licks - David Gilmour"

Completing "Quick Licks - David Gilmour" will enhance your skills in the following techniques:

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Double Stop Bends
• Unison Bends
• Pull-offs
• Rakes
• Pre-Bends
• Hammer-ons
• Double Stops
• Slides
• Sustain
• String Bending
• Bluesy Bends

"Quick Licks - David Gilmour" is an invaluable resource for any guitarist looking to imbue their playing with emotion and depth. Through this series, you'll not only learn the technical aspects of Gilmour's style but also gain insights into the art of crafting guitar solos that speak directly to the listener's heart.