Classic Albums – Wish You Were Here (Pink Floyd)

“Wish You Were Here” – A Deep Dive for Guitarists
Released in September 1975, Wish You Were Here is the ninth studio album by contemporary music heavyweights, Pink Floyd. The follow up to 1973’s The Dark Side Of The Moon, Wish You Were Here is Floyd’s second album with a conceptual theme written entirely by Roger Waters and is largely a tribute to Syd Barrett, whose mental breakdown had forced him to leave the group seven years earlier.
In this guitar lesson course, LickLibrary veteran, Jamie Humphries walks you through the many highlights of each song from the rock giants one phrase at a time, including all of David Gilmour’s legendary guitar parts from the tracks; “Welcome to the Machine,” “Have a Cigar,” and the epic, “Shine On You Crazy Diamond.”

Lessons in this Course
Guitar Lesson 1: “Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts I–V)”
The epic, nine-part track “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” is a tribute to Syd Barrett. It is divided into two sections on the album, with parts I–V beginning the album. The song is primarily in the key of G Minor. The chords are built around a G Minor pentatonic scale, and the soloing is heavily rooted in the G Minor and G Blues scales.
David Gilmour’s iconic solo is rich in expressiveness and full of emotional bends and slides. He also uses vibrato, and sustain to make his notes sing. His playing is characterized by smooth transitions between notes, giving a soulful feel.

Guitar Lesson 2: “Welcome to the Machine”
This track is an electronic-sounding piece that presents a challenge for guitarists looking to emulate the original sounds. The song revolves around Em and A chords, with the main riff employing chromaticism. The guitar solo in this track is more about texture and atmosphere than flashy playing. It integrates well with the synthesizer, creating a haunting, mechanical sound.

Guitar Lesson 3: “Have a Cigar”
A satirical take on the music industry, “Have a Cigar” features a memorable riff.The main riff uses power chords, and the solo makes extensive use of the B Minor pentatonic scale.
The solo is characterized by bluesy bends and expressive phrasing. Alternate picking and string bending techniques are extensively used here.

Guitar Lesson 4: “Wish You Were Here”
The title track is a heartfelt acoustic piece.This song is in G Major and uses a combination of open chords and barre chords. The solos use slides, hammer-ons, pull-offs, and a combination of scales including G Major pentatonic and C Major pentatonic.

Guitar Lesson 5: “Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts VI–IX)”
This section continues the musical themes from the first part. Similar to parts I–V, G Minor is the main key, with heavy use of the G Minor pentatonic and G Blues scales. Gilmour’s solos here echo the themes from parts I–V, with added layers and variations. He uses legato, arpeggios, and more, giving a sense of closure to the album.

Lead Guitarist: David Gilmour
David Gilmour’s contribution to this album cannot be overstated. His blend of technical skill and emotive playing sets a standard for guitarists. His ability to use scales musically, not just technically, is a defining characteristic of his style.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Album
• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Power Chords
• Barre Chords
• String Bending
• Bluesy Bends
• Sustain
• Chromaticism
• Slides
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs

This album is not only a musical masterpiece but also a valuable resource for guitarists looking to learn from one of the masters of the instrument. David Gilmour’s playing on “Wish You Were Here” is an expressive guidebook on how to convey emotion through the guitar, something all guitarists can appreciate and learn from.