David Gilmour Shares What Band Taught Him To Play Guitar

David Gilmour, the band leader of Pink Floyd, is widely regarded as one of the finest guitarists of his generation. Known for his technical prowess and emotional depth in his playing, he has created some of the most memorable guitar performances in music history, with songs like “Echoes,” “Wish You Were Here,” and “Comfortably Numb” leaving a lasting impact.

Gilmour has discussed how he honed his unique style by emulating others, explaining:

“I copied – there’s no shame in copying – and eventually my own style emerged.”

The rocker has recognized several guitarists as his influences, with the late Jeff Beck being his favorite among them. During an interview in 2022, he shared:

“I have many guitarists that I consider favorites. But if I have to pick one whom I have admired consistently for the longest time, it would be Jeff Beck in terms of guitar playing. He’s not only a talented musician but also a wonderful person. (Check here) ”

Gilmour has acknowledged the influence of other notable figures such as Jimi Hendrix and Hank Marvin. However, he revealed in a 2015 interview with Relix that the band that truly taught him how to play the guitar was John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, an eminent London band that counted Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor, and Peter Green among its members at different points.

He mentioned that the Bluesbreakers’ albums with Clapton and Green profoundly impacted his work. Gilmour also recommended young players dedicate their time to mastering the guitar techniques by imitating their icons. Although, he emphasized that over time, through this process of copying, one will naturally develop their own unique style.

In a separate interview with Uncut, he emphasized that copying is crucial in the learning process, especially when starting out. Gilmour noted that trying to be too original at a young age may not be the best approach and that he himself learned by copying influential musicians such as Pete Seeger, Lead Belly, Beck, Clapton, and Hendrix, among others.