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Original source: Diego Ariel Miranda
With: Profesor de guitarra
This video from Diego Ariel Miranda covered a lot of ground. Streamed.News selected 4 key moments and summarises them here. Everything below links directly to the timestamp in the original video.
'Breathe''s chorus progression holds the song's harmonic magic. This lesson guides you through each chord, including the challenging Fmaj7 (thumb technique) and D9 transition.
'Breathe' Chorus Chords: Cmaj7, G6, and Augmented-Diminished Shifts
'Breathe''s chorus uses a more complex chord progression than the verse, starting with Cmaj7, B minor, and Fmaj7. For Fmaj7, use a thumb technique to fret the sixth string bass, leaving the first string open for a signature sound. The progression continues with G6, ending with a quick D9 augmented to D9 diminished passage.
Master this section to capture the song's harmonic depth, learning progressive rock voicings. The lesson also provides alternate fingerings and a strumming pattern, offering a great exercise for transitioning between complex fretboard shapes.
"Play Fmaj7 with your thumb; the first string is open. If that position is tough, use this alternative starting from the fourth string."
'Breathe' Lead: Slide-Free Versions and Proper Slide Technique
David Gilmour's 'Breathe' intro used a slide. This lesson offers two versions: a slide-free adaptation, using fingers on the first and second strings near the 12th fret, and proper slide technique. The key for precise intonation: place the slide directly over the fret wire, not between frets.
This dual approach lets you play the iconic melody without special gear, demystifying a major slide guitar challenge. Exact slide positioning is crucial for any musician exploring this blues and rock technique.
"For this note with a slide, position it directly over the fret wire. If you fret it normally, it will sound out of tune."
Play Pink Floyd's 'Breathe' Intro: Open Chords, Gilmour's Arrangement
'Breathe''s intro and verse use two main chords: Em9 and A7. The lesson details Em9 fingerings (fret fifth string at second, fourth string at fourth, others open). For A7, mute the sixth string with your thumb for a cleaner bass. David Gilmour's arrangement also includes a brief A13sus4 passing chord.
These open chords and intermediate arrangement are crucial for replicating the original's ethereal atmosphere. Learning these specific voicings, rather than standard shapes, captures Gilmour's harmonic subtleties and Pink Floyd's sound.
"Mute the sixth string with your thumb. Place your thumb over the sixth string to silence it, letting only strings five and below ring out."
Right-Hand Pattern for 'Breathe': Combine Arpeggios, Strums, and Melodic Fills
The intro's right-hand technique combines an open low E string strike with an upstroke for Em9. For A7, the pattern shifts to an arpeggio, plucking 5th, 4th, 2nd, and 3rd strings for movement. A simpler downstroke variation suits beginners. An optional David Gilmour arrangement uses frets 12 and 14. This hybrid strum-and-arpeggio approach creates the song's relaxed, fluid pulse. The high-fret arrangement demonstrates how Gilmour embellishes basic progressions, adding melodic textures over simple harmony.
"First, we only play the sixth string, then we do an upstroke, starting from the first string upwards."
Also mentioned in this video
- Teacher explains song's effect settings. (2:05)
- Teacher details first two intro chords. (3:09)
- Teacher explains harmonic intro arrangement, incl. A13sus. (5:32)
- Teacher explains intro strumming & arpeggio pattern. (6:39)
- Additional intro arpeggio using 4th & other strings. (8:56)
- Teacher teaches main chorus chords. (10:44)
- Teacher explains D augmented 9th & D diminished 9th chords. (14:10)
- Teacher suggests strumming for C Maj 7 section & rest. (15:44)
- Teacher explains slide technique for solo, emphasizing... (19:01)
- Teacher recaps verse & chorus structure. (21:20)
Summarised from Diego Ariel Miranda · 24:47. All credit belongs to the original creators. Streamed.News summarises publicly available video content.
