About this recording
Back on the Streets · 1978 · Original album studio recording
Playing level: intermediate · Theory level: beginner
Start with A minor pentatonic, then add the notes that connect the melody. Let the longer notes ring before adding more.
The scales at a glance
Compare the notes
Learn these shapes, then see how they help explain each solo below. Some are extra ideas for your own practice.
| Scale | Notes | Intervals | Use in this study |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Minor Pentatonic | A · C · D · E · G | 1 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭7 | Listening guide |
| A Natural Minor | A · B · C · D · E · F · G | 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭6 · ♭7 | Listening guide |
| A Harmonic Minor | A · B · C · D · E · F · G♯ | 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭6 · 7 | Practice idea |
Solo breakdown
Main solo
Guitar: Gary Moore
Where is this solo?
The featured electric lead in the original studio recording, rather than a later extended live performance.
A Minor Pentatonic
Listening guide
A minor pentatonic gives a small starting map for the held notes and bends.
A · C · D · E · G
◎ Outlined dots = A, the home note.
Standard tuning (teaching setup) · frets 5–8 · high string 1 at top · toward nut →
These dots show where the scale notes are. They do not show the order of the solo.
Read the note positions
- String 1, fret 5: A, interval 1, root
- String 1, fret 8: C, interval ♭3
- String 2, fret 5: E, interval 5
- String 2, fret 8: G, interval ♭7
- String 3, fret 5: C, interval ♭3
- String 3, fret 7: D, interval 4
- String 4, fret 5: G, interval ♭7
- String 4, fret 7: A, interval 1, root
- String 5, fret 5: D, interval 4
- String 5, fret 7: E, interval 5
- String 6, fret 5: A, interval 1, root
- String 6, fret 8: C, interval ♭3
More about these scales
A Minor Pentatonic Listening guide
A minor pentatonic gives a small starting map for the held notes and bends.
A · C · D · E · G
A Natural Minor Listening guide
A natural minor adds B and F. The wider map helps you follow the melody between its longer notes.
A · B · C · D · E · F · G
A Harmonic Minor Practice idea
Compare G and G♯ over a separate E7-to-A-minor practice change. This is a chord-following comparison, not a whole-solo label.
A · B · C · D · E · F · G♯
How the chords shape the solo
Chords and note choices
Listen for the landing note
Listening idea A chord tone is a note in the chord underneath the melody. Find A, C and E first. A long note has a different feeling when the chord beneath it changes, even if the lead note stays still.
Technique tips
Technique and phrasing
- vibrato: Vibrato is a small, repeated change in pitch on a held note. Start with a steady note, then add a small movement and return to the same pitch. Practice suggestion
Practice ideas
Try the ideas yourself
Original practice suggestions; these are not the recorded solo.
Try this slowly
Play one A and let it ring. Answer with three slow notes ending on E. Repeat the idea with less pressure in your fretting hand and listen for a smoother ending.
Check: You can keep a steady pulse and hear the final note clearly.
A simple practice plan
Put the study into practice
- Listen to the chosen solo and identify its beginning and ending.
- Find the root notes: the notes the scale is named after. Say their names, then play them.
- Add one new note, or aim for a note from the chord. Make a short phrase of your own.
- Listen to the solo again. Can you hear where the phrase comes to rest?
Updated 2026-11-10
This analysis may contain errors or inaccuracies.