Learning to Fly - Pink Floyd

The song "Learning to Fly" by Pink Floyd is a compelling and atmospheric piece that highlights the unique guitar styles that defined the band's late 80s sound. This Licklibrary lesson will take you through the song’s intricate guitar parts, focusing on signature techniques that embody the essence of Pink Floyd’s musical style. From expressive string bending and smooth legato phrasing to vibrant arpeggios and carefully executed harmonics, each aspect of the guitar in "Learning to Fly" contributes to an immersive listening experience. This lesson is designed to guide guitarists through these techniques, showing how to replicate the nuances and artistry of Pink Floyd’s sound and encouraging personal growth through skill development. Jamie Humphries breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

David Gilmour

"Learning to Fly" features the renowned David Gilmour, whose guitar playing has influenced generations of musicians with his expressive and soulful style. Gilmour’s approach is characterized by precise, melodic playing that emphasises emotional expression over technical complexity. His use of string bends, slides, and vibrato provides depth and dimension to the song’s textures. Gilmour’s influence extends well beyond Pink Floyd, inspiring countless guitarists to prioritise emotion and feel in their playing. By learning the techniques Gilmour used in this song, guitarists can gain insight into his approach to music and develop a deeper connection to their own playing.

Song Techniques and Breakdown

String Bending

String bending is essential to Gilmour’s playing style and is used in "Learning to Fly" to add vocal-like expressiveness to the guitar parts. This technique involves pushing or pulling the string to raise its pitch, creating a smooth, gliding sound that mimics human vocal qualities. Practicing string bends helps players improve pitch accuracy and control, enhancing their ability to infuse emotion into solos and melodic lines.

Slides

Slides are frequently used by Gilmour to create a fluid, seamless transition between notes, lending a sense of movement to his playing. In "Learning to Fly," slides enhance the song’s atmospheric quality and add a layer of sophistication. Learning slides improves finger strength and dexterity and teaches guitarists how to approach note transitions smoothly, which is essential for a polished, professional sound.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

The lesson also focuses on hammer-ons and pull-offs, which are used to add speed and flow to the melodic lines. These techniques allow Gilmour to play complex passages without picking each note individually, creating a smooth, legato feel. Practicing hammer-ons and pull-offs enhances finger independence and agility, allowing guitarists to play faster, more intricate lines with minimal effort.

Vibrato

Gilmour’s signature vibrato is a critical technique in "Learning to Fly," as it adds richness and sustain to held notes, making them resonate more fully. This subtle modulation in pitch gives each note a singing quality that enhances emotional depth. Vibrato is an essential skill for any guitarist looking to convey emotion, as it provides more control over tone and helps develop a personal style.

Arpeggios

Arpeggios appear in the song to create a more layered and complex sound, breaking down chords into individual notes for added texture. This lesson covers the use of arpeggios to create melodic movement within chord progressions, a technique that adds sophistication to any guitar arrangement. Learning arpeggios improves fretboard knowledge and helps guitarists understand chord shapes and scales better, making them versatile in various musical contexts.

Alternate Picking

In certain passages, alternate picking is employed to maintain rhythm and precision. This technique alternates between downstrokes and upstrokes, allowing for faster and more accurate note delivery. By mastering alternate picking, players can increase their picking speed and efficiency, essential for clean, precise execution of rapid melodic lines and riffs.

Harmonics

"Learning to Fly" includes harmonic techniques to add shimmer and resonance to the piece. Harmonics are achieved by lightly touching the string at specific fret points, producing bell-like tones that ring out over other layers of sound. Practicing harmonics enhances a guitarist's control over tone and provides them with new ways to add sonic variety to their playing.

Unison Bends

Unison bends are used in this song to create a powerful, resonant sound where two notes of the same pitch are bent simultaneously. This technique amplifies the emotional weight of a note or chord and builds tension within the song. Learning unison bends develops hand strength and coordination and teaches players to add intensity to their solos and lead lines.

Benefits of Learning These Techniques

By mastering the techniques in "Learning to Fly," guitarists can deepen their understanding of both expressive and technical aspects of guitar playing. Techniques like string bending and vibrato help musicians develop emotional expression, while alternate picking and arpeggios enhance technical precision. Each technique not only builds fundamental skills but also allows players to capture the iconic sound that makes Pink Floyd’s music so compelling. With practice, guitarists will find themselves more capable of conveying their unique voice through the guitar, drawing from the inspiration of David Gilmour’s iconic style.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• String Bending
• Slides
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Vibrato
• Arpeggios
• Alternate Picking
• Harmonics
• Unison Bends

This lesson provides an opportunity to learn and integrate these valuable techniques, each of which contributes to a guitarist’s journey toward expressive, nuanced, and skilful playing. Through dedication and practice, mastering these elements will bring you closer to achieving the signature sound of Pink Floyd's "Learning to Fly."