Walking By Myself – Gary Moore
"Walking By Myself" by Gary Moore is a timeless blues-rock classic that showcases the exceptional guitar work of one of the most iconic guitarists of his time. This song not only serves as an excellent showcase of Moore's bluesy style, but it is also an ideal track for guitarists looking to improve their technique and expand their blues vocabulary. In this comprehensive guitar lesson, you'll be learning the song note-for-note, while focusing on various techniques that are integral to mastering this track and elevating your overall guitar skills. Richard Barrett breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.
About the Song and Guitarist
Originally written by Jimmy Rogers, "Walking By Myself" became one of Gary Moore’s signature live performances. Known for his fiery playing style and emotional depth, Gary Moore was a virtuoso who blended blues, rock, and even jazz into his playing. His unique approach to the guitar has inspired generations of players, and "Walking By Myself" is a prime example of his ability to blend technical mastery with raw emotion. Moore's influence extends far beyond the blues genre, leaving a lasting impact on players from various musical backgrounds due to his innovative phrasing, smooth bends, and expressive vibrato.
Breakdown of Techniques in "Walking By Myself"
String Bending
String bending is a key technique in blues guitar, and Gary Moore utilizes it throughout "Walking By Myself" to add emotional intensity to his phrases. In this lesson, you'll work on executing clean, precise bends that hit the correct pitch and hold sustain. Mastering this technique will improve your overall control and expression on the guitar, allowing you to replicate Moore's signature vocal-like quality.
Vibrato
Gary Moore’s vibrato is one of the most distinctive aspects of his playing. Vibrato adds warmth and character to sustained notes, and it's heavily featured in his solos. This lesson will focus on achieving a controlled, wide vibrato, a technique that will not only help you sound more confident but also give your playing a more professional polish. Incorporating vibrato into your solos brings your notes to life, adding emotional weight to each phrase.
Legato
Moore's soloing also incorporates smooth legato runs, where notes are played by hammer-ons and pull-offs rather than picking each one. Practicing legato techniques improves fluidity and speed in your playing, allowing you to execute seamless, flowing lines. Learning legato will also reduce tension in your picking hand, enabling faster passages with less effort.
Slides
Slides are another essential element in Gary Moore’s blues phrasing. By sliding into or out of notes, Moore creates smooth transitions between positions, adding a sense of motion to his playing. This lesson will teach you how to execute both ascending and descending slides cleanly, making your solos more dynamic and adding a slinky, bluesy character to your playing.
Double Stops
In several sections of the song, Moore utilizes double stops—playing two notes simultaneously. This technique thickens up lead lines and adds harmonic richness to solos. Learning double stops will improve your finger independence and help you integrate harmonized melodies into your lead playing, giving you a fuller sound.
Unison Bends
Unison bends are a hallmark of blues-rock guitar, and you'll encounter them in this track as well. By bending one string while holding another static, you create a striking, dissonant tension that resolves beautifully. This lesson covers how to perform unison bends effectively, helping you develop finger strength and precision while adding a new texture to your phrasing.
Pinched Harmonics
Pinched harmonics, another of Moore's favorite techniques, can be heard in his solos to emphasize certain notes and make them scream with extra bite. This lesson teaches you how to produce those squealing overtones by using proper thumb and pick positioning. Learning pinched harmonics will add an aggressive edge to your playing and help you stand out in high-energy moments of a song.
Bluesy Bends
Gary Moore’s bluesy bends are full of emotion and are executed with precision and feeling. Learning how to execute these bends with proper timing and control will enhance your ability to convey emotion through your guitar, which is an essential skill for any blues guitarist.
Why Learn These Techniques?
Each technique featured in "Walking By Myself" offers valuable benefits to any guitarist. By working through the lesson and mastering these techniques, you’ll gain greater control, accuracy, and expressive ability in your playing. Techniques like vibrato and string bending enhance your musical expressiveness, while legato and slides improve your speed and fluidity. Mastering unison bends and pinched harmonics will give your playing an aggressive edge, while double stops and bluesy bends will enrich your melodic phrasing. Overall, the variety of techniques in this song will make you a more versatile and dynamic guitarist, capable of tackling various styles with confidence.
