“Time” by Pink Floyd

Discover the magic of Pink Floyd’s “Time” with our comprehensive note-for-note guitar lesson at LickLibrary.com. “Time” stands as one of the most iconic tracks from the legendary Dark Side of the Moon album and showcases David Gilmour’s unparalleled guitar playing. This lesson breaks down every nuance of the song, from its expressive phrasing to its soulful bends and soaring solos. Whether you're an intermediate player looking to add feel to your playing or an advanced guitarist diving deep into expressive soloing techniques, “Time” offers a treasure trove of musical inspiration. Jamie Humphries breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarist: David Gilmour’s Expressive Genius

David Gilmour, Pink Floyd’s lead guitarist and vocalist, is celebrated for his deeply emotional and melodic style. His playing on “Time” is a masterclass in phrasing, tone, and feel. Known for using space, sustain, and dynamic control like a true artist, Gilmour proves that sometimes less is more. Rather than showcasing speed or flashy runs, his solos are dripping with emotion and purpose, resonating with guitarists and listeners alike. His influence spans generations, inspiring players across genres to approach the instrument as a means of emotional expression.

Song Breakdown and Techniques Explored

Opening Rhythmic Guitar Work

The rhythm guitar parts in “Time” are a study in syncopated feel and dynamic control. The main motif sits against a backdrop of complex rhythmic textures. Learning these parts enhances your timing, your sense of groove, and your ability to lock into a band setting—critical skills for any developing guitarist.

Benefit: Developing strong rhythmic awareness helps players become more confident when playing in ensemble settings and improves overall musicality.

Soulful String Bending

One of the standout features of the solo in “Time” is Gilmour’s expressive use of string bending. These bends aren't just technically accurate—they sing. You’ll explore different types of bends such as whole-step, pre-bends, and bluesy bends, each used to create emotional depth.

Benefit: Mastering string bending improves pitch control and allows you to mimic the expressive qualities of the human voice, adding more soul to your solos.

Vibrato: The Signature Gilmour Touch

Gilmour’s vibrato is one of the most recognisable elements of his style. In this lesson, you'll learn how to execute his smooth, wide vibrato technique that adds sustain and emotion to single notes.

Benefit: A well-controlled vibrato adds richness and depth to your playing and sets you apart as a mature lead guitarist.

Hammer-ons, Pull-offs & Legato Phrasing

To maintain the smooth, flowing sound of the solo, Gilmour uses hammer-ons, pull-offs, and legato phrases. These help create seamless transitions between notes, a key characteristic of his emotive style.

Benefit: Practicing legato techniques builds finger strength and enables fluid, melodic playing.

Slides and Sustain

Slides are used to guide the listener’s ear across the fretboard, while controlled sustain gives each note time to breathe. These techniques are foundational in “Time,” especially during the extended solo section.

Benefit: Slides and sustain help develop smoother transitions and more expressive phrasing in your lead work.

Arpeggiated Chord Work

In addition to its lead lines, “Time” also includes tasteful arpeggiated chord progressions that form the song's harmonic backbone. This portion of the lesson teaches you how to outline chords melodically, another Gilmour specialty.

Benefit: Learning arpeggiated chords improves fretboard knowledge and strengthens your ability to blend rhythm and lead playing.

Double-Stops and Unison Bends

In the solo, Gilmour adds colour and weight with double-stops and unison bends. These create a thicker sound and add harmonic richness to single-note lines.

Benefit: These techniques boost your ability to create harmonised lines and add texture to solos.

Why Learn “Time”?

"Time" is not only one of the greatest guitar solos ever recorded, but also a piece that demands feel, finesse, and emotional depth. Learning this track enhances your expressive playing, deepens your musical sensitivity, and teaches you to prioritise tone and phrasing over speed. Our LickLibrary lesson ensures you’ll pick up all these techniques in a structured, easy-to-follow format, with close-up views and expert instruction guiding your journey.

Guitar Techniques Used in “Time”

• Vibrato
• String Bending
• Bluesy Bends
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Legato
• Sustain
• Slides
• Double-Stops
• Unison Bends
• Arpeggiated Chord Progressions

Explore our full lesson for “Time” by Pink Floyd and bring Gilmour’s iconic tone and techniques into your own playing, only at LickLibrary.com.