Phil Hilborne on the style of Gary Moore
A look at the style of a master improviser
In thIs Issue I look at some ideas and concepts that were often used by Gary Moore. Specifically, the task I have set is to see how you might go about creating a typical ballad intro section and how you might play rhythm and lead guitar ideas against it.
Gary was a fiery and passionate improviser. He was totally committed and he meant every single note. At the end of my video demo I play, what is hopefully, a typical improvisation over the changes. In this, all I really did was to take a few more liberties both rhythmically and melodically in order to achieve a freer soloing vibe. It’s important to realise that although everything here is busier and more intense, the underlying principals of hitting target notes combined with the occasional arpeggio still remains intact. And, with any luck, the result is the solo still maintains an appropriate melodic shape and integrity.
In closing, I would like to mention that as someone who knew Gary personally, I have found that writing this month’s feature to be been surprisingly cathartic. I just hope I went some small way to doing his legacy justice.
Finally, it is also worth mentioning that Gary’s brother Cliff Moore and his son Jack Moore are both fine guitar players and, in my opinion, well worth checking out. So, without further ado… let’s get stuck in! www.philhilborne.com