Breathe by Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd’s Breathe from the seminal album The Dark Side of the Moon is a masterclass in atmospheric guitar work, combining subtlety, expressiveness, and a unique blend of progressive and psychedelic rock textures. At LickLibrary.com, our note-for-note guitar lesson for Breathe delves deep into the playing of David Gilmour, unlocking the nuances that make this track so iconic. Whether you're a seasoned guitarist or an aspiring player, this lesson offers the perfect opportunity to expand your expressive vocabulary while refining essential guitar techniques. Jamie Humphries breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Song Overview

Breathe opens The Dark Side of the Moon with a slow, contemplative groove and spacey sonic textures that showcase Gilmour's emotive phrasing and tone mastery. The guitar work is minimalist but profoundly expressive, weaving in techniques that are subtle yet foundational to expressive rock and blues-based playing. Our detailed lesson walks through each section of the song, breaking down rhythm and lead parts, with emphasis on tone, phrasing, and technique.

Guitar Techniques Explored

String Bending

One of David Gilmour’s most defining characteristics is his ability to make his guitar sing, and nowhere is this more evident than in Breathe. The use of string bending throughout the track adds emotion and vocal-like phrasing to his solos and melodic lines.

Benefit: Mastering string bending is essential for players wanting to develop a more expressive style. It teaches control, intonation, and feel—elements that bring your playing to life.

Slides

Gilmour’s use of slides adds a fluid, legato quality to his phrasing. Sliding between notes rather than picking each one creates a smoother, more connected feel, helping to establish the dreamy vibe that defines Breathe.

Benefit: Practicing slides improves finger control and helps players move seamlessly between notes, ideal for expressive and melodic lead playing.

Vibrato

Another key element in Gilmour’s playing is his subtle and controlled use of vibrato. His vibrato technique gives sustained notes a vocal character, breathing life into even the simplest melodies.

Benefit: Learning vibrato helps players develop their own voice on the instrument and is crucial for expressive soloing and emotional phrasing.

Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

There are moments in Breathe where Gilmour incorporates hammer-ons and pull-offs, especially in subtle embellishments and melodic transitions. These techniques enhance the fluid, legato phrasing that characterises his style.

Benefit: These techniques are foundational for legato playing and help in achieving smoother, faster runs and melodic phrasing.

Chord Progressions

The song's dreamlike atmosphere is anchored by a distinctive chord progression that blends jazz-influenced voicings with traditional rock harmony. Gilmour’s voicings create tension and release, contributing to the song's ethereal soundscape.

Benefit: Studying these chord progressions builds harmonic understanding and introduces players to more sophisticated chord voicings and progressions beyond standard rock clichés.

Arpeggios

While not played in a classical sense, the way the chords are broken up and picked at times resembles arpeggios, contributing to the layered, spacious feel of the song.

Benefit: Practicing arpeggios increases fretboard knowledge and picking accuracy while reinforcing chord shapes and interval relationships.

About the Guitarist – David Gilmour

David Gilmour, Pink Floyd’s legendary guitarist, is widely recognized for his emotive playing, impeccable phrasing, and atmospheric tone. Known for prioritising feel over flash, Gilmour has influenced generations of guitarists with his lyrical solos and tasteful use of effects. In Breathe, his understated playing emphasises space and emotion rather than speed or complexity—an approach that has become a hallmark of expressive rock guitar. His influence spans blues, progressive rock, and even ambient music, making him one of the most respected and emulated guitarists in modern history.

Why This Lesson Matters

Learning Breathe provides more than just a song breakdown—it’s a study in subtlety and control. The techniques covered in this lesson help players develop tone, timing, phrasing, and musicality. Instead of focusing on speed or technical flash, this lesson nurtures a deep connection to your instrument and highlights the power of restraint in musical expression.

Guitar Techniques Covered in This Lesson

• String Bending
• Slides
• Vibrato
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Chord Progressions
• Arpeggios