What makes a great solo? To me it’s often a solo you anticipate and can sing—and it adds not detracts from the song. A solo that takes you on a journey and off to a plateau—an emotional high point that the melody alone couldn’t reach. The solo in Comfortably Numb accomplishes this. Its soaring lyrical melodies and nuanced playing transforms the song and bring us to a new high. David Gilmore achieves this so successfully, and with such great emotion, that I feel his solos are just as important as any other aspect of Pink Floyd’s music.
Here is my transcription of Comfortably Numb. When I did this transcription, I actually used a keyboard to tap in the rhythms. Then I moved the notes to those I think David Gilmore played. In reality, his playing floats and the rhythm is pretty open. I added an arpeggio in the beginning of the solo that I’m pretty sure Gilmore didn’t play (most likely it was muted strings) but it’s the way I began playing it years ago that I feel fits. See what you think.
