Eclipse by Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd’s Eclipse, the iconic closing track from their legendary Dark Side of the Moon album, is a masterclass in musical arrangement and emotional delivery. While not the most technically complex track in their catalogue, Eclipse provides a rich foundation for guitarists looking to explore tone, feel, and dynamic control. At LickLibrary.com, our note-for-note guitar lesson of Eclipse takes you through every detail of the song, capturing the atmosphere and expressive power that define Pink Floyd’s timeless sound. Jamie Humphries breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

The Guitar Work of Eclipse

Though Eclipse is relatively short and more minimalistic than many of Pink Floyd’s other tracks, it features a carefully layered arrangement that blends rhythm and melody with emotional intensity. The guitar parts, played by David Gilmour, serve the song with taste and restraint—qualities that are often more difficult to master than fast, flashy playing.

In our lesson, you'll learn to recreate the subtle nuances that Gilmour is known for, including his deliberate phrasing, dynamic control, and impeccable tone. These are the hallmarks of a mature guitarist and provide the foundation for musical storytelling through the instrument.

About the Guitarist: David Gilmour

David Gilmour’s contribution to Pink Floyd’s sound cannot be overstated. Known for his soulful phrasing, lyrical solos, and atmospheric use of effects, Gilmour has influenced countless guitarists across genres. His playing is rooted in the blues but expands into experimental rock, using space and melody as primary tools of expression.

In Eclipse, Gilmour demonstrates that less is often more. Every note is intentional. Learning to play like Gilmour means learning when not to play—an advanced skill that separates intermediate players from professionals. By studying Eclipse, guitarists gain insight into how phrasing and timing can elevate a simple progression into a powerful musical statement.

Techniques Covered in the Lesson

Slides

One of the primary techniques used in Eclipse is the slide. Gilmour uses this to connect notes smoothly, adding a vocal-like quality to his phrases. Slides are not only expressive but help players develop better control over finger placement and pitch accuracy.

String Bending

Gilmour’s emotive bending is a key feature of his style. In Eclipse, you'll encounter several bends that demand both finesse and pitch control. Practicing these will improve your ear training and vibrato technique, as well as your overall feel on the instrument.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

Though used subtly, hammer-ons and pull-offs in Eclipse help build smooth, legato phrasing. These techniques make your playing more fluid and are essential for developing speed without sacrificing clarity.

Vibrato

Perhaps Gilmour’s most defining feature is his vibrato. It adds emotional depth to sustained notes and gives the solo a singing quality. Practicing vibrato as shown in Eclipse will give your playing a professional polish and personal voice.

Chord Progressions

The song relies heavily on a powerful, gospel-like chord progression that builds throughout the track. Learning this progression not only improves your rhythm guitar skills but also deepens your understanding of harmony and song dynamics.

Sustain

Gilmour expertly uses sustain to let notes ring out and fill the sonic space, contributing to the track’s epic conclusion. Controlling sustain teaches you to manage tone and gain effectively, essential for live performance and recording.

Why Learning Eclipse Is Beneficial

Studying Eclipse gives guitarists a blueprint for musical maturity. It teaches restraint, emotion, and how to create an atmosphere. These are skills that are transferable across all styles of music. Whether you're a blues player, a rock guitarist, or someone exploring progressive music, the techniques in Eclipse will sharpen your sense of phrasing, tone, and song-craft.

More than just learning to play a song, this lesson is about learning to feel a song. That’s what makes David Gilmour’s style so compelling, and that’s what you’ll begin to unlock through this comprehensive lesson.

Guitar Techniques Used in Eclipse

• Vibrato
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Slides
• String Bending
• Chord Progressions
• Sustain