Classic Albums – Dark Side Of The Moon (Pink Floyd)

“Dark Side of the Moon” by Pink Floyd: A Guitarist’s Exploration
Pink Floyd’s groundbreaking 1973 album “The Dark Side of the Moon” is an iconic masterpiece that has captivated guitarists for generations. The entire album presents a unique blend of rock, blues, and progressive styles, characterized by intricate guitar work, profound lyrical content, and stellar production.
David Gilmour, the lead guitarist, played a vital role in crafting the ethereal soundscapes that define the album. His iconic solos, innovative techniques, and emotional expressiveness set a high benchmark for guitarists of all skill levels.
Learn the highlights of every song with respected Pink Floyd super fan, Jamie Humphries. This is the best way to learn Gilmour’s classic riffs, searing solos, masterful bends and ambient sounds.

Guitar Lessons in this Course
• Breathe
• Time
• The Great Gig In The Sky
• Money
• Us and Them
• Any Colour You Like
• Brain Damage
• Eclipse

Guitar Lesson 1: “Speak to Me”
While there is no specific guitar work on this track, its sound effects and samples set the mood for the guitar-laden journey ahead.

Guitar Lesson 2: “Breathe”
This song features an Em9 chord progression, providing a lush backdrop for Gilmour’s expressive slide guitar work. The solos are mainly in the G Major pentatonic scale, showcasing beautiful bends and slides.

Guitar Lesson 3: “On the Run”
A synthesizer-driven piece without significant guitar input, but it’s essential in maintaining the album’s flow and thematic continuity.

Guitar Lesson 4: “Time”
Featuring a captivating solo in F# Minor pentatonic scale, Gilmour makes extensive use of bends and vibrato to convey a sense of urgency and despair. The famous B Minor chord progression in the verses is underlined by effective palm muting.

Guitar Lesson 5: “The Great Gig in the Sky”
While not guitar-focused, the chords create a foundation for the emotive vocal performance, showcasing how guitar and keyboard can blend to support other instruments.

Guitar Lesson 6: “Money”
This track is in 7/4 time signature, creating an engaging groove. The guitar solos are predominantly in the B Minor pentatonic scale, utilizing slides, bends, and double stops. The rhythm parts involve funky palm muting and syncopated rhythms.

Guitar Lesson 7: “Us and Them”
With its D Major chord progression, this song offers a melancholic texture. Gilmour’s solos use the D Major scale and include string bending and expressive vibrato.

Guitar Lesson 8: “Any Colour You Like”
An instrumental track with complex interplay between guitar and keyboards. The guitar work uses the B Minor pentatonic scale with impressive use of slides and legato.

Guitar Lesson 9: “Brain Damage”
Utilizing the D Major scale, the song provides a platform for chord progressions that support the poignant lyrical content.

Guitar Lesson 10: “Eclipse”
This powerful closing track sums up the album with strong power chords and thematic resolutions, adding a final touch to the guitar masterpiece.

David Gilmour’s Contribution
David Gilmour’s unique ability to marry technique with emotion made this album a standout. His innovative use of effects, tasteful note selection, and mastery of a variety of scales help create a diverse sonic palette that continues to inspire guitarists worldwide.

Techniques Used in This Album
• Vibrato
• Palm Muting
• Slides
• String Bending
• Syncopated Rhythms
• Legato
• Chord Progressions

The album “The Dark Side of the Moon” provides an immersive experience that is as much a testament to musical innovation as it is to the profound skill of its creators. The above techniques, song structures, and solos present a fertile ground for guitarists to explore and learn, making it an eternal part of the guitar lexicon.