About this recording
The Dark Side of the Moon · 1973 · Original album studio recording
Playing level: intermediate · Theory level: beginner
Start with F♯ minor pentatonic. Add the two natural minor notes when you are ready to follow the longer melody.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| F♯ Minor Pentatonic | F♯ · A · B · C♯ · E | 1 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭7 | Listening guide |
| F♯ Natural Minor | F♯ · G♯ · A · B · C♯ · D · E | 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭6 · ♭7 | Listening guide |
Solo breakdown
Main solo
Guitar: David Gilmour
Where is this solo?
The featured electric guitar solo between the vocal sections of Time. The later Breathe reprise is separate.
F♯ Minor Pentatonic
Listening guide
F♯ minor pentatonic leaves five notes to find before learning the fuller map.
F♯ · A · B · C♯ · E
◎ Outlined dots = F♯, the home note.
Standard tuning (teaching setup) · frets 2–5 · 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 2: F♯, interval 1, root
- String 1, fret 5: A, interval ♭3
- String 2, fret 2: C♯, interval 5
- String 2, fret 5: E, interval ♭7
- String 3, fret 2: A, interval ♭3
- String 3, fret 4: B, interval 4
- String 4, fret 2: E, interval ♭7
- String 4, fret 4: F♯, interval 1, root
- String 5, fret 2: B, interval 4
- String 5, fret 4: C♯, interval 5
- String 6, fret 2: F♯, interval 1, root
- String 6, fret 5: A, interval ♭3
More about these scales
F♯ Minor Pentatonic Listening guide
F♯ minor pentatonic leaves five notes to find before learning the fuller map.
F♯ · A · B · C♯ · E
F♯ Natural Minor Listening guide
F♯ natural minor adds G♯ and D. This is the seven-note framework used in the original solo analysis.
F♯ · G♯ · A · B · C♯ · D · E
How the chords shape the solo
Chords and note choices
Listen for the landing note
Listening idea A bend is easier to understand when you hear its destination. F♯, A and C♯ form F♯ minor. Pick a destination note first, then compare the bent approach to that pitch.
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
Pick one target note and sing it. Bend a lower note towards it, then play the target again. Leave a rest before the next attempt and compare the two pitches.
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.