'Oh Pretty Woman' by Gary Moore

Dive into the soulful world of blues-rock with this detailed guitar lesson on Gary Moore's rendition of "Oh Pretty Woman." This tutorial offers a note-for-note breakdown, emphasising the essential techniques that define the song's distinctive sound. Jamie Humphries breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Song and the Artists

Originally written by A.C. Williams, "Oh Pretty Woman" was masterfully interpreted by Gary Moore in his 1990 album Still Got the Blues. This rendition features a collaboration with blues legend Albert King, whose influence is evident in the song's emotive depth.

Gary Moore, hailing from Belfast, Northern Ireland, was celebrated for his fiery blues and rock guitar prowess. His style seamlessly blended technical proficiency with deep emotional expression, making his performances both captivating and influential. Albert King, known as one of the "Three Kings of the Blues Guitar," brought a unique touch to the track, enriching it with his signature string-bending techniques and soulful phrasing.

Techniques Explored in the Lesson

Our lesson meticulously dissects the following guitar techniques, each integral to capturing the essence of "Oh Pretty Woman":

String Bending

String bending involves pushing or pulling a string across the fretboard to raise its pitch. This technique adds expressiveness to your playing, allowing for smooth transitions between notes and emulating vocal-like qualities. Mastering string bending enhances your ability to convey emotion through your instrument.

Vibrato

Vibrato is the slight oscillation of pitch achieved by rapidly bending and releasing a string. It adds warmth and sustain to notes, making them resonate more profoundly. Developing a controlled vibrato enriches your tonal palette and brings a personal touch to your playing style.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

These legato techniques involve adding or removing fingers on the fretboard to sound notes without picking. Hammer-ons produce a smooth ascent in pitch, while pull-offs create a descending effect. Incorporating these techniques facilitates fluid, rapid passages and contributes to a more connected, lyrical sound.

Slides

Sliding entails moving a finger along the string from one fret to another, maintaining pressure to produce a continuous glide between pitches. This technique introduces a seamless, gliding effect between notes, enhancing the melodic flow and adding a vocal-like quality to your solos.

Double Stops

Playing two notes simultaneously, known as double stops, enriches the harmonic texture of your playing. This technique is particularly effective in blues and rock genres, providing a fuller sound and enabling more complex melodic expressions.

Bluesy Bends

Bluesy bends involve bending the string to reach microtones, capturing the essence of the blues scale. This technique adds a soulful, expressive quality to your solos, allowing you to convey deep emotion and connect more profoundly with the listener.

Pinched Harmonics

Pinched harmonics are produced by lightly touching the string with the thumb or fingertip immediately after picking, creating a high-pitched, squealing overtone. Mastering pinched harmonics adds a dramatic flair to your playing, enabling you to highlight specific notes with a sharp, cutting edge.

Benefits of Learning These Techniques

By engaging with this lesson, you'll not only learn to play "Oh Pretty Woman" authentically but also expand your technical repertoire. Each technique offers unique benefits:

• Expressive Depth: Techniques like string bending, vibrato, and bluesy bends allow you to infuse your playing with emotion, making your performances more compelling.
• Technical Proficiency: Mastery of hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides, and pinched harmonics enhances your agility and precision on the fretboard, contributing to overall technical growth.
• Harmonic Richness: Incorporating double stops adds complexity to your playing, enabling richer harmonic expressions and a fuller sound.

Embracing these techniques will not only elevate your rendition of "Oh Pretty Woman" but also serve as valuable tools in your broader musical journey.

Guitar Techniques Covered

• String Bending
• Vibrato
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Slides
• Double Stops
• Bluesy Bends
• Pinched Harmonics

Embark on this comprehensive lesson to deepen your understanding of these techniques and integrate them into your playing, capturing the soulful essence of Gary Moore's blues-rock mastery.