Walking By Myself - Gary Moore

Learn how to play "Walking By Myself" by Gary Moore with our comprehensive guitar lesson, which dissects the song note-for-note. This tutorial delves into the key techniques that make the track a standout blues-rock masterpiece, allowing you to refine your guitar playing while immersing yourself in the artistry of one of the most iconic guitarists of all time. Whether you're honing your lead techniques or polishing your rhythm chops, this lesson offers valuable insights into Gary Moore's signature playing style. Jamie Humphries breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About Gary Moore and "Walking By Myself"

Gary Moore, celebrated for his electrifying blues-rock style, is one of the most influential guitarists of the modern era. Known for his incredible feel, expressive vibrato, and fiery solos, Moore brought passion and precision to every performance. Originally a blues standard written by Jimmy Rogers, "Walking By Myself" was transformed into a high-energy anthem by Moore, blending traditional blues with modern rock intensity. His work on this track showcases his mastery of both technical and emotional aspects of guitar playing.

Moore’s influence spans generations, inspiring countless guitarists with his dynamic playing, flawless phrasing, and unparalleled tone. Exploring this song not only connects you to a classic but also sharpens your ability to convey emotion through the guitar.

Key Techniques Covered in This Lesson

String Bending

String bending is a cornerstone of Gary Moore's style, and this song features expressive bends that mimic the human voice's emotional depth. Learning precise bending improves your ear for pitch and adds a vocal-like quality to your solos.

Vibrato

Gary Moore's vibrato is legendary, and mastering it in this song will help you enhance the sustain and expressiveness of your notes. Vibrato adds warmth and depth to your playing, making it more captivating to listeners.

Learn more about vibrato.

Slides

Smooth slides are used throughout "Walking By Myself" to create seamless transitions between notes, adding fluidity to your playing. Incorporating slides enhances your phrasing and allows you to connect notes with a polished touch.

Learn more about slides.

Bluesy Bends

The song is filled with tasteful bluesy bends, capturing the raw emotion of the blues genre. Practicing these will improve your control over bending dynamics and help you emulate the soulful sound of blues.

Learn more about bluesy bends.

Double Stops

Double stops appear in the rhythm and lead sections, adding harmonic richness to the melody. This technique is essential for creating fuller and more dynamic guitar parts.

Learn more about double stops.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

Quick hammer-ons and pull-offs in the licks give the solos a fluid, legato feel. Mastering these will boost your speed and make your playing more articulate.

Learn more about hammer-ons and pull-offs.

String Bending Combinations

Gary Moore often combines string bends with techniques like vibrato or pre-bends for added emotion. Learning these combinations strengthens your finger control and expressive abilities.

Learn more about string bending and pre-bends.

Palm Muting

The rhythm sections feature tasteful palm muting, which creates dynamic contrast and groove. This technique is perfect for improving your precision and articulation.

Learn more about palm muting.

Chord Progressions

Understanding the underlying chord progressions in "Walking By Myself" gives you a solid foundation for improvisation and rhythm playing. It’s a great opportunity to expand your knowledge of blues structures.

Learn more about chord progressions.

Benefits of Learning These Techniques

1. Improved Expression: Techniques like vibrato, string bending, and bluesy bends enhance your ability to express emotion through the guitar.
2. Enhanced Dynamics: Incorporating palm muting and double stops gives your playing greater dynamic range.
3. Fluidity and Speed: Hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides improve your technical fluency and make your licks more seamless.
4. Harmonic Understanding: Learning chord progressions and double stops expands your ability to create harmonic interest in your solos and rhythm parts.
5. Building Style: By emulating Gary Moore’s techniques, you develop a unique voice on the guitar while paying homage to a blues-rock legend.

Guitar Techniques Used in "Walking By Myself"

• String Bending
• Vibrato
• Slides
• Bluesy Bends
• Double Stops
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Palm Muting
• Chord Progressions

Dive into "Walking By Myself" and experience the thrill of playing like Gary Moore. By mastering the techniques in this lesson, you'll not only enhance your technical skills but also bring more soul and emotion to your guitar playing.