Moving On by Gary Moore – Guitar Lesson

Step into the world of expressive blues-rock with our note-for-note guitar lesson of “Moving On” by Gary Moore. This lesson captures the soul and style of one of Gary Moore’s most melodic and emotive tracks, offering you the chance to study every phrase and lick with precision. Known for his heartfelt playing and fiery tone, Moore delivers a performance in Moving On that is filled with subtlety, groove, and emotional depth.

This LickLibrary lesson focuses on essential lead guitar techniques such as double stops, alternate picking, string bending, and vibrato—all delivered in a structured and accessible way, helping you not only replicate the song but also integrate these powerful techniques into your own playing. This lesson is taught by Jamie Humphries.

Technique Focus

Double Stops

Double stops—the technique of playing two notes simultaneously—are used throughout Moving On to add harmony and depth to Moore’s melodic lines. Whether used in rhythm fills or melodic embellishments, they create a rich, full-bodied sound that enhances the emotional impact of each phrase.

Double stops develop your ability to harmonize melodies and strengthen your finger independence and fretboard awareness, which is essential for blues and rock soloing.

Alternate Picking

The lead passages in Moving On require smooth, accurate alternate picking, particularly during the quicker runs and articulated melodic phrases. This technique allows for clean execution at varying tempos, ensuring clarity and precision in your playing.

Practicing alternate picking improves your speed, timing, and accuracy, helping you play faster phrases cleanly and consistently.

String Bending

As with most of Moore’s work, Moving On features expressive string bending that mimics the vocal quality of the human voice. These bends often resolve into key melodic notes, adding tension, release, and emotional expression to the solo.

String bending is crucial for developing pitch accuracy and dynamic control. It’s one of the best ways to add emotion and feeling to your solos.

Vibrato

Gary Moore’s vibrato is legendary, and in Moving On, it’s used to sustain and emphasize important notes. His wide, deliberate vibrato style gives each sustained note a sense of movement and soul, creating an unmistakable vocal-like quality.

Developing a strong vibrato enhances sustain, control, and emotional expression, making your solos sound more confident and professional.

Why Learn This Song?

Moving On is a study in subtlety, taste, and expression. While it may not be the flashiest track on Still Got the Blues, it offers immense value for guitarists looking to build their phrasing, control, and musicality. The techniques used in this song are cornerstones of expressive guitar playing and are essential tools for anyone aspiring to play lead blues guitar with feel and finesse.

This lesson is not just about playing the right notes—it’s about learning how to connect those notes in a way that speaks to the listener. By mastering the content of this track, you’ll gain the skills to make your own solos more meaningful and impactful.

About the Song and Gary Moore

Moving On appears on Gary Moore’s celebrated Still Got the Blues album, released in 1990. This album marked a turning point in Moore’s career, shifting from his earlier hard rock style to a more blues-focused sound. Moving On is a mid-tempo track that blends soulful lead lines with tasteful rhythm guitar work, showcasing Moore’s ability to say more with fewer notes—a true lesson in melodic phrasing and tone.

Gary Moore was a guitarist who left an indelible mark on both rock and blues. Whether playing aggressive rock solos or tender blues ballads, his tone and technique were instantly recognizable. Influenced by legends such as Peter Green, B.B. King, and Albert King, Moore inspired a new generation of guitarists by blending traditional blues vocabulary with modern rock intensity. His feel, phrasing, and control are what make studying his playing so valuable.

What You’ll Learn in This Lesson

This detailed lesson breaks down every section of Moving On, from the clean intro passages to the climactic soloing and melodic phrasing that define the song. You’ll learn how to recreate every nuance of Moore’s performance while also understanding the musical and technical elements behind it.

Perfect for intermediate players looking to improve their expressive playing, this song provides the opportunity to work on subtle yet crucial lead guitar techniques.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Double Stops
• Alternate Picking
• String Bending
• Vibrato

Learn how to play Moving On by Gary Moore with accuracy and feel, and bring your lead guitar playing to life with this detailed and inspiring LickLibrary lesson.