Soloing Secrets - David Gilmour

Hey everyone! Here's the debut episode of a new series on the channel called 'Soloing Secrets' and the first episode centers around the emotive yet elusive playing of guitar legend David Gilmour of Pink Floyd.
I've had dozens of requests for more David Gilmour/Pink Floyd music and also had the idea for the Soloing Secrets series buzzing around in my head for quite a while, so I figured I could combine the requests for more Gilmour with kickstarting the new series at the same time - so let's dive in!
This lesson centers around a number of common areas within David Gilmour's lead style, which includes modified blues phrases, soloing using major and minor triads, emotive bending/vibrato phrases, extended-range string bending, and much more!
You could view this lesson as a continuation of the triad-focused 'Acoustic Guitar Chords' episode of Chordplay that was recently posted, but instead of using triads using a chords/rhythm approach, this time we're hitting the triads using a melodic and lead guitar approach.
If you're a David Gilmour/Pink Floyd fan or a player searching for some new soloing strategies and fresh ideas for various licks, fills, solos, and more - this lesson is totally for you! Give this episode a view, leave some comments/feedback, and please subscribe to Late Night Lessons - THANK YOU!
Become a Patreon supporter of Late Night Lessons for only $5 (or more) each month and gain access to PDF notation/tab files of these lessons. Thank you!
www.patreon.com/latenightlessons

[@rorylisbon4723]

Gilmour once said he wasn't interested in being a "Speed merchant" referring to shredders. He created the most beautiful solos memorable not only to guitarists but to the average listener to "sing along". Not many other guitarists are of that level of melody and accessibility. Thanks David!

[@JaggusBaro]

He was interested in becoming a speed merchant at one point; in fact, he even said he wanted to play like Eddie Van Halen in an interview from Guitar Classics in 1985. *Have you tried to adopt any of the post-Van Halen techniques?* “I can’t play like Eddie Van Halen, I wish I could. So I sat down to try some of those ideas and I can’t do it. I don’t know if I could ever get any of that stuff together. Sometimes I think I should work at the guitar more. I play every day but I don’t consciously practice scales or anything in particular.”

[@rorylisbon4723]

@@JaggusBaro Interesting, thanks. I never saw that. Perhaps since EVH set a new standard in 78' that legions copied, maybe he felt the need to keep up with the trend? Wish you were here came out in 75, and then The Wall, but most PF albums after those were never as remarkable. Imho, 70's guitar AOR has never been equaled. Sure a few great songs here and there. Appetite for Destruction was a great wake up call to the clone 80's hair band era, 10 years later after VH first album, after that well you know the rest. Unless one liked grunge or rap, that was the end.

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

As a child in the 70's I got to see a double billing of _The Song Remains The Same_ along with _Live At Pompeii._ Magical! That was my introduction into the music my own generation was into. Along with my dad playing the bouzouki and blues guitar, and the first time I heard Pink Floyd's _Animals_ album in it's entirety, were my initial inspirations for becoming a musician. Born of a desire to be a part of something greater than myself.

[@voronOsphere]

"Soloing Secrets" is gonna be a great series, David! Brilliant idea! The behind the scenes of what makes great soloing!

[@ransbarger]

Thanks David. You're the best.

[@dennisszeremet1825]

Please give us more Gilmour!!! Can never have enough Gilmour lessons David!!! Thanks for what you do, you make us all better players

[@voronOsphere]

Agreed on all points!

[@boomerdell]

This is a GREAT lesson, thank you, David! I can’t explain how it happens, but David Gilmour can play one note, just hang on it, and evoke a more profound emotional response in me than all the shredders combined. Absolutely in a place all his own.

[@waynegram8907]

Soloing Secrets by Vito Bratta uses those Triads shapes also in his solos but he also moves to different inversions and spreads them out. Check out his guitar solos because its very close to what Gilmour does. Uli Roth is also good at using triads shapes in his solos with scales that have " 3, 4,5,6 note groupings. Note groupings are a subject that classical composers did that is overlooked. Chris Impelliterri uses note grouping when playing scales. You should do more theory lessons about this stuff

[@cymro6537]

Dave Gilmour - the master of subtlety , restraint and taste. 🤘

[@patrickkish6662]

The subtle sounds of sweet simplicity. Great lesson, David.

[@frankiedonofrio5438]

Brilliant Idea!!!!....Can't wait for more of this Series..Thank You

[@Emlizardo]

What a great lesson, and what a great idea for a series! The first solo I copied by ear from a record was "Fat Old Sun." It was perfect for a beginner, and Gilmour's melodicism and tasty phrasing got me started on the right foot.

[@patzguitarz]

I play electric in a praise band. My go to is channeling Gilmour. I work a lot of triads as chords and with fills. A Gilmourish tone also works really well on the P&W setting. Lots of delay and chorus counter balance the acoustic and keyboard. I also listen to Pink Floyd on the way to church. It gets me in the mindset!!!

[@rydermike33]

A great lesson David, thank you. I've been a fan of Floyd and Mr Gilmour for many years. Wonderful guitarist.

[@jpmcmullan8666]

Already Love this series. Gonna go ahead and suggest Schenker, Oliva and Jeff Waters get their own “secrets” episode

[@TrevyTrev-andTheFunkyPets]

“ I’ll have the Apple pie, no crust!” Great lesson

[@NguyenHoang-bt5hv]

"Makes me wanna pick up a guitar, and write music that sounds like Pink Floyd" - that sums it up for me! Thank you for explaining those things even if some of it I've been doing for years without understand what it is.

[@jrumiano]

Another outstanding lesson. Live at Pompeii is one of the favorite Floyd movies... Thanks again!

[@vorpalblades]

Coming Back To Life off the Pulse DVD is Gilmour's crowning moment.

[@kriscraig7694]

Dude your quickly becoming my favourite guitar guy on KZbin. The Rick derringer one got me hooked. Thanks

[@jonbigg7385]

Love this new series. Can't wait for the next episode! Thank you David!

[@seanhayes2998]

Great idea for a series; looking forward to more.

[@bghammock]

Great new series, David! Thanks for the lesson!

[@michaelsingley5641]

Great lesson David. Beautiful examples of DG's phrasing and vibrato and tone. He's got a great compositional ear also.

[@swvastories3498]

One of your best videos David! Great work and this really opened my eyes on Gilmour's solos.

[@TMoody]

I did not get into Pink Floyd and DG b/c it was not shred.... but as I have gotten older, MAN.... the dude and this band is AMAZING. Shine On Crazy Diamond is crazy chords and the way it moves!!! Awesome job brutha..... thank you!

[@jamiebroglin7395]

Eye opening

[@hazor777]

NOBODY, ...and I mean NOBODY encompasses the rule of "Don't over play" like David Gilmour. Everything he plays is so tastefully done, so (what seems like) selectively chosen to draw the listener in and keep you there. One of the most brilliant guitar players ,....... ever, IMO. Outside of Pink Floyd , I highly recommend checking out his collaboration w/Paul Rodgers on the 'Muddy Water Blues' record , done back in the early 90's. Their version of 'Standing Around Crying' - the smoothest BLUES playing ..... it'd make Stevie Ray Vaughn blush.

[@PaulJonesy]

Ahh Gilmour… favourite of so many. Not a shredder as you say but such a wonderful lyrical, vocal soulful quality to his playing. His technique for composing a solo is worth mentioning, he sketches them out via “scat singing”, try it, it’s a great idea. Thank you David(s)!

[@hortyist1]

Thanks Man, because of your tip I've been watching David Gilmore live at Pompeii 2016 Incredible performance !!!

[@xaviergough9359]

You are one of the elite few who can capture the phrasing of Gilmour. Great series.

[@jerkerjansson386]

Great! I’ve been a fan of Gilmour since I was a teen. Went to see Pink Floyd live in 1994, The Division Bell tour. And it wasn’t until just a few years ago I discovered that the Comfortably Numb solo is pretty much all triads. I just hadn’t thought about it before. As you say it is pretty eye opening!

[@waynewells915]

Another great lesson!

[@glassslide]

Cool!!! Great idea for a new series!! And, can never get enough of David Gilmour---such a musical style!!! Thanks, Dave!!

[@JD-vj4go]

Another great lesson. Thank you David.

[@kebinahrens]

Excellent episode! Thank you for the lessons. Great job Mr. Brewster!

[@Krullmatic]

Damn David! I loved your triad soloing over that D minor vamp! That was choice, and very tasty! You're one of my favorite players/teachers here on the Tube.❤🤘😝🤘

[@hakankillberg6043]

Thanks for this great video and your lovely playing. I like that you cover the melodic playing. David Gilmour is the melodic hero and a legend

[@voronOsphere]

David Gilmour is just so dang good!!! Thank you, David!

[@unaperrson]

"Mike the Music Snob" has the nerve to say David Gilmour and Pink Floyd is over rated - even has a lengthy video on it - in which he goes through their entire back catalogue. I say; I disagree! He is the reason I started playing guitar. I love this channel.

[@voronOsphere]

That "snob" is clearly nuts!

[@carlosclaptrix]

Your bendings and your vibrato is just amazing! And great tone!

[@davidlewis3169]

Awesome!

[@daviclar867]

Gilmour is a genius.

[@davidpaul6656]

Thank you for another nugget filled lesson, Dave!! Love your lessons, because I always learn alot of theory I never knew and I'm able to go on and apply that. All thoroughly explained in under 20 mins. Sweet! 🎸 Thanks again!

[@mikeivey8471]

Great video !! Very useful tips on using the triads to improve our lead playing !!

[@sonicmojo]

Man, ive spent my entire life trying to decode Gilmour"s playing and in one 20 minute lesson you just blew my mind! Thank you soooo much! I remember when I was a kid, (my friends and i trying to put a band together) and me trying so hard to take out the solo for mother and just failing miserably!!! Just sitting around with a bunch of little practice amps and beating on a couple of trash cans with drumsticks! Just ridiculousness. Lol. Oh and the wannabe singer having to leave home early because his house was haunted and he was the only one that could exorcise it or some damn thing. WTF!!! 🤣🤣🤣 Thanks again David, you are amazing!

[@michaelsingley5641]

He said B.B. King asked him "Are you sure you're not from the Mississippi Delta boy?" I actually love his funkiness like on "Have a Cigar."

[@chillidogkev]

That was a super debut lesson for the series and went to a different level. Your obvious enjoyment of presenting it and the guitarist featured was really evident. I mean, in so many places it just sounded exactly like Gilmour! What an insight.

[@dougstubbs4351]

Once again another brilliant easy to follow lesson, you're doing gods work my friend 😂😆. Can't wait to see what is next.

[@gthrockstar]

"What's going on with David Gilmour?" He's supernatural!

[@TwelveSticks]

Great new series David - always good to see some Gilmour stuff!

[@ramseyomery]

really enjoyable and informative , thank you for showing this

[@gregorbingham]

Thank you! Learning this note for note years ago, and having you break it down so well, music is making sense now!

[@sixstringer3783]

A+ on this lesson and what a great concept maybe one featuring Mr Van Halen 👏👍🤘

[@SteveNC61]

Greetings for England… excellent lesson! Thank you.

[@jimcreee3299]

nice, like the idea of this new series.

[@mykneeshurt8393]

Great lesson!

[@scottstanford3832]

What a great lesson, what a great channel and what a great guy you are David!!! Thanks for all the hard work you are putting in so we don't have to... in fact, I couldn't, I don't have the ear for it. Just a fantastic job and style!

[@Widdy5150]

Love this channel 🥳 Would love to see Richie Sambora style covered 🙏🏻🙏🏻🤞🏼😛

[@markbrady7532]

Beautiful man

[@mikealman9259]

Your explanation of DGs unique style was bang on! He plays with feeling rather than a desire to be the "fastest" which, in his own words, he wasn't able to do, so he chose to focus on what he did best, along with thinking outside the box, and ended up being an Iconic virtuoso soloist. So there's hope for all us "slow but with feeling" guitarists 😁Liked an subbed 👍👍

[@markrobinson8410]

Gilmours first solo record is great too.

[@wlrIII]

Thank you, David for sharing your knowledge with us. You're certainly my favorite YT guitar pro by a mile. Please return to Blow By Blow/Wired era Jeff Beck in some fashion- blew my mind at the time and still does today.

[@voronOsphere]

"Wired" is an album not mentioned nearly enough! I love it!

[@polygraphovich]

Excellent idea for a series, thx! If you’re inclined, may I suggest Steve Howe, Steve Hackett, Robert Fripp (careful with the copyright thing with his music). 😀

[@jasonkesser]

Dude you are exxxxxxxxcellent- what a great find and first video for me on your channel! You really nailed it, explained ideas well, in a balanced intermediate fashion. But a 1,000 points for naming intervals instead of always note names, not enough people do this it’s so frustrating. And just seeing something so simple as Gilmore’s relationship with bending to 3rds, fifths, then showing it in a more developed context. And getting bonus Major! Beautiful! Nice tone too , cheers to you sir, subscribed!

[@thebruckners]

Fantastic lesson.... one of your best IMO. Great continuation of the acoustic lesson discussing triads. Surely Gilmour was a pentatonic and phrasing master. It's my belief that what also makes Gilmour so special is his unique touch. Something the way his fingers interact with the strings is just unlike anyone else. Similarly, I'm a huge Grateful Dead fan but I can't stand to listen to John Mayer play lead for Dead & Co. There was just something special about Jerry Garcia's touch that was magical and Mayer just doesn't do it for me. He can play the notes, but it doesn't have the groove. You experience the same thing listening to PF cover bands - it can be good, but it doesn't have the same magic.

[@tammymiller506]

Great job love it

[@outtathyme5679]

Excellent

[@coloaten6682]

The Great American Songbook is all melody and Gilmour isn't stupid! Seriously though, melody is and always will be where it's at for humans until our brains stop liking those patterns. Gilmour, like the composers & Blues players before him accepted this simple fact and set about exploiting it with his phrasing etc etc. Really enjoyed this video and look forward to more. P.S. In the late 90s I attended The North Sea Jazz Festival in The Netherlands and saw Joe Satriani followed by BB King and there really was only 1 winner. It wasn't even close.

[@jasonhochman3750]

David Gilmour is able to get a lot of expressiveness by bending, a lot of minor third or even two steps up, along with releasing pre-bent notes, and vibrato. Also he has great tone. Jeff Beck can do a lot with bending, vibrato, hammering off and on. Many of the guitarists before the 1980s could be very expressive without all kinds of effects, tapping, sweep picking, etc.

[@eflatmin7]

Really enjoy your lessons. I'm right with you on liking the minor stuff more. Love the SHABBY ROAD sticker! haha

[@atticusfinch4687]

Echoes!!! Yes!!! Used to see concert films when they showed Midnight movies at theaters here back in the late 70's early 80's. Saw Live at Pompeii there

[@jcleight3768]

Thanks David- this is so helpful and intuitive on your part. I have only been playing a few years but seeing this in this light changes everything for me and my lead guitar journey. BTW I have studied about 30 players from your 3 in 1 and have transposed and incorporated them into our blues rock band set list and the band is floored.

[@joshuasydnee]

Nice one David great lesson, any chance of some more Alex Lifeson from the early days?

[@voronOsphere]

I'd love a "Soloing Secrets - Alex Lifeson" Lesson! The "behind the scenes" interworkings of his unique style would be so cool to learn about! I really have no idea how Lifeson does it!

[@roscoepcoltrane23]

That tone.

[@TheSoundofForgetting]

All I can say is Thank you! I guess with all the Pink Floyd I watch & Gilmour being my guitar hero along with Jimmy page.. I am self taught & have been for over 3 decades and just this alone has opened up so much I knew but didn’t 😂 I subscribed instantly & so many bulbs & dots clicked as you explained this! Thank you! Is what you did here tabbed out on your Patreon as well? Cause if so I will be heading that direction next and signing up after I watch your Pink Floyd other videos…just found your channel and recommended it and glad I clicked to see. You rock🤘🎸🤘

[@billjohnston1610]

Oh my! There's a lot of good stuff here. Most of what I have loved about Pink Floyd is the a sort of global atmosphere and not focused on the traditional melodic content. Anyway, I'll be going through this lesson several more times. Thanks.

[@JimHabash]

Great Lesson. I've seen Rik Emmett do that D triad all the way up the neck, just like you did to end a song, live. Maybe RNR machine or FTGF cant remember exactly.

[@kristijansudra3727]

Super lesson!!You really explain it perfect

[@clemclemson9259]

David I LOVE your channel

[@zaccarter3801]

Damn that jam at 11:10 ish was an epiphany moment. Can’t wait to practice this over different keys and sneak in some different intervals.

[@LuisKemmerich]

Awesome lesson! Can't wait for one about Alex Lifeson!

[@MrTimdriver]

Excellent. Thanks.

[@rdmkeytohwy]

I can’t think of anyone better to study for the the first soloing secrets segment than David Gilmour. His phrasing, vibrato, and long slow bends are iconic at this point. The tones I was hearing with your playing in this video David made the hairs on my arm stand up. Pretty cool. I have seen you play your strat in many videos. I am looking for a second electric guitar. I have an Epiphone Les Paul. Would a Squier strat with a humbucker in the bridge position be a good choice for versatility? Maybe a Fender Player Series if I could afford one.

[@rafaufabc]

Great content, David! Thank you! How about making a solo secrets about Slash?

[@jonathanvillani7771]

your tone is awesome on this

[@patrickmaline4258]

another gem 💎 tyvm.

[@kurtmackenzie7349]

Great stuff!!!!

[@TheMossy67]

I've just found you, brilliant lesson ❤

[@cfibanez]

Great episode. I couldn't find the clip you mention from Live at Pompeii 1972. My copy of the film is in color, not B&W. May be a different version? Thanks.

[@cfibanez]

BTW, when you play guitar, your voice disappears, hard to understand sometimes what you are saying. Same happened here with the looped vamp. It got lost as soon as you started soloing over it. There must be an easy way to solve this. I think it will improve your videos quite a bit. (Constructive critique.) Cheers.

[@agrieger7]

Love the new edition. One thing that I think your viewers would enjoy would be if you did book/instructional video reviews. I know your a big book guy. Just a thought. Not that you don’t have enough going on already

[@Jhossack11]

Wow that was cool!

[@VitaEx]

Awesome love the new series this was great I would also love to see a soloing secrets on synster gates at some point! There are not enough quality vids of people showing his techniques and I really want to learn a bunch of them. Often times I see people play something ridiculous and don’t explain it much or break it down. It’s like well that’s nice that you can shred but I learned nothing from seeing that lol where as your videos are nice and in-depth just sayin thanks dude

[@wretch1]

Excellent!

[@steventheo69]

I enjoy your videos. I would like it if you did some of the riffs from Ghost. Thanks

[@Rockin23]

I just watched 55 secs of gold! That'll do....I can work the rest out....cheers!

[@skinner5334]

Good stuff- thx!!

[@stevenblakeakahashburns]

Just rewatching this phenomenal episode. Future reference for yourself, can you turn up your looper playback a bit? It got lost under your triad soloing. Other than …oh what model and year is your strat, and any mods?

[@midiman5045]

Good stuff David. I have watched a lot of your videos and you seem to like your strat more than your Gibson.

[@scottmcintire8634]

A Saucerful of Soloing Secrets - David Gilmore?

[@valtyger]

This makes me appreciate more, about Hank Marvin and The Shadows in every instrument and aspects (except stage and lighting). David learned from Hank too!