Life In The Fast Lane – Eagles
The Eagles' “Life In The Fast Lane” is an iconic rock anthem known for its gritty guitar tone, tightly arranged riffs, and driving groove. At Licklibrary.com, our note-for-note guitar lesson breaks down this timeless track in comprehensive detail, allowing guitarists of all levels to dive deep into the techniques that make this song a classic. Whether you're an aspiring lead player or a rhythm guitarist looking to expand your repertoire, this lesson delivers practical insights and focused instruction that will benefit your playing far beyond this one song. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.
Guitarists Behind the Song
“Life In The Fast Lane” features the phenomenal guitar work of Joe Walsh and Don Felder, both integral to shaping the Eagles’ heavier, rock-oriented sound in the mid-to-late 1970s. Joe Walsh, known for his raw tone, inventive phrasing, and blues-rock sensibility, brings a unique character to the song. His approach blends tastefully wild bends and blues-influenced licks with aggressive picking and slide-like movements. Don Felder complements this with tight, harmonised riffs and a polished, melodic rhythm technique. Together, they create the kind of dual-guitar interplay that many bands have tried to emulate ever since. Learning their licks is not only a journey into classic rock guitar, but a masterclass in musical collaboration.
Breakdown of Techniques Covered in the Lesson
String Bending
The intro and lead guitar passages in “Life In The Fast Lane” are loaded with expressive string bending, adding emotion and tension to the phrasing. You'll learn how to bend with control and accuracy, developing your ear and finger strength. This technique is essential for players looking to emulate vocal-like expression on the guitar.
Alternate Picking
The main riff is a great study in tight, clean alternate picking, especially at higher tempos. Mastering this technique builds your speed and efficiency, allowing you to maintain clarity and articulation during fast passages.
Slides
Throughout the rhythm and lead sections, slides are used to move smoothly between notes and positions. This technique adds fluidity to your solos and creates a connected, lyrical feel in your phrasing.
Double Stops
Joe Walsh’s soloing vocabulary often includes tasteful use of double stops. These two-note intervals provide harmonic depth and are a staple of rock and blues playing. You’ll learn how to integrate them into both lead and rhythm playing to enhance your musicality.
Vibrato
Adding vibrato to bends and sustained notes gives them life and character. Our lesson shows you how to develop controlled vibrato that enhances the emotional expression of your solos.
Power Chords
The song’s driving rhythm is built around punchy, distorted power chords, providing a solid foundation for the entire arrangement. This technique is vital for crafting strong rhythm guitar parts in rock and metal.
Palm Muting
The lesson also highlights the use of palm muting, which tightens up the rhythm parts and adds a percussive edge. This technique is great for enhancing dynamics and creating tension and release in your riffs.
Dual Guitar Harmonies
Perhaps one of the most iconic aspects of the track is the use of dual guitar harmonies. You’ll learn how to play harmonised lead lines and understand the theory behind creating them, opening up creative options for arranging your own harmonies.
Bluesy Bends
The lead guitar passages also lean heavily on bluesy bends, rooted in pentatonic phrasing. This technique connects rock guitar back to its blues roots and adds a soulful element to your solos.
Why These Techniques Matter
Each of these techniques contributes not just to mastering “Life In The Fast Lane,” but to becoming a more expressive and versatile guitarist overall. Practicing alternate picking sharpens your precision; mastering string bending and vibrato develops your emotional expressiveness; learning dual harmonies and power chords strengthens your compositional skills. By the end of the lesson, you’ll not only have the song under your fingers but also a more confident and articulate approach to the guitar.
Techniques Used in This Lesson
About The Tutor
Tutor Profile
Danny Gill
Danny Gill is, without a doubt, the most loved tutor by our community. With an incredible array of DVDs and web lessons for LickLibrary covering a wide variety of topics all of which he covers with incredible detail, it's no wonder he carries as much respect as he does. As...