In this edition of Rock Lick Legends we take a look at some of the Aeolian playing of Gary Moore, former Thin Lizzy, Colloseum II and Skid Row guitarist and world renowned solo artist. Moore’s playing style was aggressive and very blues-based, but he also had a tasteful sensibility for melodic ideas and sometimes used scales other than the blues and pentatonics.. The Aeolian mode begins on the 6th degree of the major scale, it has the same notes as a natural minor scale, 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7. It is often used in rock and makes a good embellishment to the blues and minor pentatonic scales.

Gary Moore used a number of guitars over the years which included Peter Green’s '59 Les Paul, and '61 Fender Strat, as well as guitars made by Charvel, Ibanez, Jackson and Paul Reed Smith. For amplification, Moore mainly used Marshall with an Echoplex and Boss DS-1.

Suggested Album: Back On The Streets

Playing Rating: Intermediate