Joe Walsh – Rocky Mountain Way Riff

Learn to play the unforgettable ‘Rocky Mountain Way’ riff by Joe Walsh in this detailed note-for-note guitar lesson at LickLibrary.com. This classic rock anthem, released in 1973, features a riff that’s not only iconic but also a goldmine of essential guitar techniques that every player can benefit from. In this lesson, we break down the riff step by step, teaching you the fundamental and expressive techniques Joe Walsh used to craft one of rock’s most enduring guitar hooks.

Whether you're an intermediate player looking to improve your phrasing, or an advanced guitarist aiming to nail every nuance of classic tone and technique, this lesson provides everything you need to capture the groove, grit, and feel of the original recording. Danny Gill breaks down this classic riff in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Song and the Guitarist

Joe Walsh, best known for his work with the James Gang, Barnstorm, and later The Eagles, is a guitarist celebrated for his taste, tone, and creativity. His playing style blends blues, rock, and slide guitar into a signature voice that’s instantly recognisable. On Rocky Mountain Way, Joe delivers a riff that is deceptively simple, yet rhythmically tight and sonically rich. His use of tone, feel, and phrasing make it a masterclass in less-is-more guitar playing.

The track also features contributions from keyboardist Joe Vitale and bassist Kenny Passarelli, who provide a tight rhythmic foundation that allows the guitar to shine. Walsh's use of talk box in the solo is legendary, but in this lesson, we focus exclusively on the core riff—the building block of the song.

Key Techniques Covered in the Lesson

This guitar lesson zeroes in on several techniques that Joe Walsh uses to great effect in the riff. Below are the primary techniques taught in this lesson and how mastering them can benefit your overall guitar playing.

Slides

The riff employs expressive slides between notes to create a smooth and vocal-like quality. Learning to slide efficiently helps with finger control, phrasing, and connecting scale positions fluidly across the fretboard.

String Bending

Joe’s riff features subtle string bending to add feel and expression. Developing bending accuracy is crucial for achieving expressive lead playing, especially when aiming to mimic vocal inflections or add bluesy character to your solos.

Vibrato

A hallmark of Walsh’s playing is his use of tasteful vibrato. In this lesson, we show you how to implement controlled vibrato to add sustain, soul, and emotional weight to held notes. Mastering vibrato is essential for any guitarist who wants to develop a unique voice on the instrument.

Power Chords

The main riff utilises chunky power chords to give it a driving, muscular feel. Understanding power chord shapes and how to use them rhythmically will strengthen your rhythm guitar playing, especially in rock and blues contexts.

Palm Muting

Joe Walsh also uses subtle palm muting to tighten up his rhythm tone. This technique helps control dynamics and adds percussive definition, which is vital when playing riffs that need to sit well in a mix.

Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

Some phrases within the riff include tasteful hammer-ons and pull-offs to create fluid movement between notes. These techniques enhance legato playing, making your licks sound smooth and effortless.

Open String Riffs

This song also showcases clever use of open-string riffs, which give the riff a grounded and resonant quality. Learning how to incorporate open strings into riffs allows for greater creativity and resonance in your rhythm playing.

Why Learn This Riff?

• Groove & Timing: Improve your rhythmic accuracy and groove by learning a riff that’s deeply tied to pocket and feel.
• Tone Control: Understand how subtle vibrato, palm muting, and string dynamics contribute to tone.
• Stylistic Development: Develop your own blues-rock vocabulary by studying a master of the genre.
• Versatility: The techniques in this riff appear in countless other songs across blues, rock, and even metal, making them invaluable for any player.

By the end of the lesson, you’ll not only be able to play the Rocky Mountain Way riff note-for-note, but you’ll also gain insight into how to use classic techniques in a musical, expressive way. Joe Walsh’s style is all about character and subtlety—skills that separate a good guitarist from a great one.

Techniques Used in this Lesson

• Vibrato
• Slides
• String Bending
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Open String Riffs