New Kid In Town – Eagles

LickLibrary’s note-for-note guitar lesson for New Kid In Town by the Eagles offers a deep dive into one of the most beautifully arranged and tastefully performed songs in classic rock. With its rich melodic phrasing, layered guitar textures, and seamless transitions between rhythm and lead, this track is a goldmine for guitarists looking to refine their musicality and technique. This lesson focuses on breaking down the intricate parts of the song and provides insights into the playing styles that made this track a standout on the band’s 1976 Hotel California album. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Song Overview

New Kid In Town showcases the Eagles' signature blend of soft rock, country, and richly arranged vocal harmonies. Guitar-wise, it offers an excellent opportunity to master a range of expressive and dynamic techniques. This lesson walks you through the entire track, exploring the subtle chord changes, arpeggiated figures, melodic solos, and supportive fills that define the song’s lush guitar work. Every phrase is broken down meticulously so you can play it exactly as it was recorded.

Guitar Techniques Explored in This Lesson

Fingerpicking

This track features extensive finger-picking, especially in the intro and verses, where soft, rolling patterns give the song its dreamy and intimate feel. Learning fingerpicking helps you build independence between your thumb and fingers, enabling you to play melody and harmony simultaneously.

Arpeggiated Chord Progressions

One of the defining traits of New Kid In Town is the use of flowing arpeggiated chord progressions. These add a sense of motion and delicacy to the rhythm part. Practicing this technique improves your right-hand control and helps develop clarity in chordal playing.

Slides

Slides are used tastefully throughout the track to connect melodic phrases and shift between chord positions with a fluid, vocal-like quality. Mastering slides enhances your ability to transition between notes smoothly, adding a lyrical dimension to your solos.

Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

Subtle use of hammer-ons and pull-offs can be heard in the fills and lead parts, giving the guitar lines a legato, flowing sound. These techniques are great for building finger strength and improving left-hand articulation.

String Bending

There are expressive moments of string bending that mimic vocal phrasing, which is a key characteristic of the Eagles’ lead guitar work. String bending is essential for developing expressive soloing and pitch control.

Barre Chords

Throughout the track, various barre chords are used to allow smooth voice leading and key changes. Mastering barre chords increases your versatility and allows you to play more complex chord voicings across the neck.

The Guitarists Behind the Sound

New Kid In Town features the sublime guitar work of Joe Walsh, Don Felder, and Glenn Frey. Each brought a unique voice to the band’s guitar-driven sound. Glenn Frey, the primary vocalist on this track, contributed a smooth rhythm guitar part that perfectly complemented the song’s vocal delivery. Don Felder and Joe Walsh added tasteful melodic embellishments and textural leads that enhanced the song’s dynamics without overpowering the arrangement.

Felder, known for his precision and melodic sensibility, brought a sense of sophistication to the guitar interplay, while Walsh’s bluesy and expressive playing style injected a warm, organic quality. The combination of their individual voices created a layered yet coherent guitar arrangement that remains a masterclass in tasteful playing. Studying their parts on this track is a fantastic way to understand how to serve the song rather than just show off technique.

Why Learn This Song?

Learning New Kid In Town offers more than just the satisfaction of playing a classic hit. It helps you:

• Improve your finger-style technique and dynamic control.
• Gain a better understanding of chordal movement and voicing.
• Develop expressive soloing and melodic phrasing.
• Strengthen your timing and rhythm through arpeggiated parts.
• Appreciate the importance of restraint and feel in guitar playing.

Each section of the lesson breaks down the parts slowly and clearly, allowing you to absorb every nuance of the performance and integrate the techniques into your own playing style.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Finger-picking
• Arpeggiated chord progressions
• Slides
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• String bending
• Barre chords