Another Brick in the Wall (Part Two) by Pink Floyd

"Another Brick in the Wall (Part Two)" by Pink Floyd is one of the most iconic songs in rock history, celebrated for its haunting melody, driving rhythm, and David Gilmour's masterful guitar work. Our Licklibrary.com guitar lesson breaks down this song note-for-note, focusing on key techniques and elements that define its unforgettable sound. By mastering these techniques, you'll not only learn to play this classic track accurately but also expand your skills to use in your own playing. Jamie Humphries breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

David Gilmour and His Influence

David Gilmour, Pink Floyd's legendary guitarist, is known for his soulful, expressive playing style. His ability to blend melodic phrasing with technical skill has influenced countless guitarists worldwide. Gilmour’s style in "Another Brick in the Wall (Part Two)" showcases his command over various guitar techniques, giving the song its emotional depth and signature sound. Understanding and applying Gilmour's techniques will help any guitarist develop a more expressive and versatile approach to playing.

Song Breakdown and Techniques

Vibrato

Vibrato is a cornerstone of Gilmour's style, adding richness and character to sustained notes. In this lesson, you'll learn how to apply vibrato with control, giving your notes a vocal-like quality. This technique enhances musicality and expression, making each note more impactful.

String Bending

String bending is essential to Gilmour’s solos, creating smooth, expressive transitions between notes. Our lesson covers how to execute bends with precision, so you achieve the exact pitch required. Mastering string bending improves your pitch accuracy and enables you to add emotion to your solos.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

Hammer-ons and pull-offs are used in Gilmour’s fluid legato passages, allowing for seamless, flowing runs without the interruption of picking. Practicing these techniques strengthens finger independence and improves overall speed, helping you create smooth, connected phrases.

Double Stops

Double stops add depth and harmonic interest to this song, and they’re essential in achieving Gilmour's unique sound. By playing two notes simultaneously, double stops give the song a fuller sound. This technique enhances finger dexterity and helps with chordal thinking.

Slides

Slides are often used in this song to transition smoothly between notes, adding a distinctive slide guitar sound. Learning to execute slides properly helps build a sense of smoothness and continuity in your playing, essential for capturing Gilmour's phrasing.

Bluesy Bends

Bluesy bends in "Another Brick in the Wall (Part Two)" add a touch of blues influence to the solo. This technique brings out the song's emotional feel and highlights Gilmour's blues-based background. Learning bluesy bends gives your playing a gritty, expressive edge and helps with bending control.

Sustain

Sustain is an essential component in Gilmour’s tone, allowing notes to resonate fully. In this lesson, you'll learn how to control sustain using finger placement, pressure, and guitar tone. Proper sustain technique will add depth and atmosphere to your playing, creating a rich, resonant sound.

Syncopated Rhythms

The song’s rhythm section employs syncopated patterns, adding complexity and interest to the guitar line. Practicing syncopation improves timing and rhythm, giving you greater command over rhythmic variation and dynamics in your playing.

Arpeggios

Arpeggios are key to some of the background guitar work in this track. By breaking down chords into individual notes, arpeggios allow for a more nuanced harmonic expression. Learning arpeggios strengthens your understanding of chord structures and adds a new dimension to your chordal playing.

Chord Progressions

The unique chord progression of "Another Brick in the Wall (Part Two)" provides the song’s dark, moody atmosphere. This lesson helps you understand and apply these progressions, adding depth to your rhythm playing and enhancing your musical knowledge of harmony.

Benefits of Learning These Techniques

Each technique in this lesson not only helps you master the song but also builds foundational skills essential for any guitarist:

• Vibrato and sustain improve note control and add emotional expression.
• String bending and bluesy bends develop pitch accuracy and bring an expressive edge to your playing.
• Hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides enhance speed and fluidity, giving you a smoother phrasing style.
• Double stops and arpeggios provide harmonic interest, adding layers and depth to your music.
• Syncopated rhythms build rhythm versatility, improving timing and dynamic control.
• Chord progressions enhance your understanding of harmony and song structure.

By mastering these techniques, you'll be equipped to capture David Gilmour's iconic style and incorporate his expressive, lyrical approach into your own playing.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Vibrato
• String Bending
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Double Stops
• Slides
• Bluesy Bends
• Sustain
• Syncopated Rhythms
• Arpeggios
• Chord Progressions

This detailed breakdown gives you everything you need to bring "Another Brick in the Wall (Part Two)" to life, capturing its iconic sound while developing skills that will elevate your guitar playing to new levels.