Pink Floyd’s "Wish You Were Here"

Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” is one of the most iconic tracks in rock history, known for its emotional depth and beautiful simplicity. At Licklibrary, we offer a detailed note-for-note guitar lesson for this legendary song, helping players capture the essence of both the acoustic and electric guitar work. In this breakdown, we will focus on the techniques that define the track and give viewers a comprehensive guide to mastering the song's subtle nuances. Jamie Humphries breaks down this iconic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

The Guitar Work of "Wish You Were Here"

“Wish You Were Here” was written by Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour and Roger Waters. David Gilmour’s guitar playing is renowned for its melodic phrasing, tasteful bends, and emotional expression, all of which are central to this song. His guitar work is often understated yet highly evocative, making use of a wide array of techniques that allow him to communicate deep emotion through his instrument.

Gilmour’s influence on guitarists cannot be overstated. His ability to blend technical proficiency with pure emotional expression has set a standard for countless players. In “Wish You Were Here,” he uses both acoustic and electric guitars to craft a dynamic soundscape that remains timeless, utilising techniques that every guitarist should study and learn.

Techniques Featured in the "Wish You Were Here" Lesson

The Licklibrary guitar lesson for “Wish You Were Here” covers a range of techniques that are essential for recreating the song’s distinct feel. Below, we’ll highlight some of the key techniques found in this lesson, explaining their importance and the benefit of mastering them.

Slides

In the intro and throughout the track, slides are employed to seamlessly transition between notes and chords. Slides provide a smooth, connected sound that’s crucial for emulating Gilmour’s fluid playing style. By learning slides, guitarists can improve their ability to move between positions on the fretboard while maintaining a melodic flow.

Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

These techniques are used to add a legato feel to the acoustic passages of the song. Hammer-ons and pull-offs allow notes to blend together more smoothly, without the need to pick each one. Mastering these techniques enhances your dexterity and enables you to achieve a more fluid, expressive playing style—an essential skill for playing this and many other Pink Floyd tracks.

String Bending

David Gilmour’s use of string bending is one of his trademarks, and “Wish You Were Here” is no exception. String bending allows you to raise the pitch of a note, adding an expressive quality that is often compared to the human voice. In this lesson, we’ll explore how to control your bends with precision, helping you add emotion and dynamic range to your solos.

Vibrato

Vibrato is another key technique in this song, especially in the lead guitar sections. Gilmour’s vibrato is slow and wide, adding a sense of depth to his playing. Learning vibrato helps guitarists enhance the sustain of notes and create a richer, more resonant sound. This technique is particularly important for anyone looking to emulate Gilmour’s signature playing style.

Arpeggiated Chord Progressions

The acoustic intro of "Wish You Were Here" prominently features arpeggiated chords, where each note in the chord is played individually rather than strummed together. Arpeggios allow the guitar to create a more delicate, flowing sound, which contrasts beautifully with the more full-bodied strummed sections. Mastering arpeggiated chord progressions enhances a guitarist’s finger independence and control.

Chord Progressions and Barre Chords

The song features several standard chord progressions, utilising open chords as well as barre chords. Learning to navigate between different chord shapes while maintaining proper rhythm is key to playing the song accurately. This not only helps with playing "Wish You Were Here" but is a valuable skill for playing countless other songs across various genres.

Acoustic Finger-Picking

Though “Wish You Were Here” is mainly known for its strummed sections, some finger-picking techniques are also used, particularly in the quieter, more introspective moments. Finger-picking allows for more nuanced control over dynamics and can give the song a more intimate feel. Developing finger-picking skills is beneficial for adding texture to your acoustic playing and creating more variety in your sound.

Guitar Techniques in "Wish You Were Here" - Master the Essentials

The Licklibrary lesson on “Wish You Were Here” not only teaches you how to play the song accurately but also helps you build essential guitar skills. Each technique covered in the lesson will improve your overall playing ability and add a range of tools to your guitar toolkit. Here's a list of the techniques you’ll work on:

1. Vibrato
2. Slides
3. Hammer-ons
4. Pull-offs
5. String Bending
6. Arpeggios
7. Chord Progressions
8. Barre Chords
9. Finger-Picking

Mastering these techniques will not only help you accurately replicate the soulful playing of David Gilmour but will also deepen your understanding of guitar fundamentals, benefiting you in a wide range of musical contexts.