About this recording
The Wall · 1979 · Pink Floyd Records album-track upload dated 2018-10-26, release metadata 1979-11-30 and 2016 recording-rights line. Do not infer a mastering date solely from that rights line.
Playing level: intermediate · Theory level: beginner
Start with B minor pentatonic. Listen to a held bend and its answer before trying the longer closing lines.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| B Minor Pentatonic | B · D · E · F♯ · A | 1 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭7 | Listening guide |
| B Natural Minor | B · C♯ · D · E · F♯ · G · A | 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭6 · ♭7 | Listening guide |
Solo breakdown
Closing solo
Guitar: David Gilmour
Where is this solo?
Gilmour’s extended closing electric solo after the final chorus. The earlier short solo is a different section.
B Minor Pentatonic
Listening guide
B minor pentatonic is the first listening map for the closing solo.
B · D · E · F♯ · A
◎ Outlined dots = B, the home note.
Standard tuning (teaching setup) · frets 7–10 · 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 7: B, interval 1, root
- String 1, fret 10: D, interval ♭3
- String 2, fret 7: F♯, interval 5
- String 2, fret 10: A, interval ♭7
- String 3, fret 7: D, interval ♭3
- String 3, fret 9: E, interval 4
- String 4, fret 7: A, interval ♭7
- String 4, fret 9: B, interval 1, root
- String 5, fret 7: E, interval 4
- String 5, fret 9: F♯, interval 5
- String 6, fret 7: B, interval 1, root
- String 6, fret 10: D, interval ♭3
More about these scales
B Minor Pentatonic Listening guide
B minor pentatonic is the first listening map for the closing solo.
B · D · E · F♯ · A
B Natural Minor Listening guide
B natural minor adds C♯ and G. Compare the extra notes with the smaller blues-shaped phrases.
B · C♯ · D · E · F♯ · G · A
How the chords shape the solo
Chords and note choices
Listen for the landing note
Listening idea The closing backing moves around B minor, A, G and E minor. A chord tone belongs to the chord underneath you. Find a few possible landing notes, then listen for the note where a phrase settles.
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 B and hold it for two beats. Answer it with two nearby notes, ending on D. Repeat the idea with a quieter touch and keep the held note steady.
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.