Rocky Mountain Way – Joe Walsh

Joe Walsh’s “Rocky Mountain Way” is a guitar-driven classic rock anthem that showcases the distinctive tones, phrasing, and stylistic techniques that defined 1970s rock guitar. At LickLibrary, our note-for-note guitar lesson breaks down every nuance of this iconic track, allowing players to master not only the riffs and solos but also the essential techniques used throughout the song. Whether you’re a fan of classic rock or a guitarist seeking to expand your vocabulary and control, this lesson offers invaluable insights into the playing of one of rock’s true legends. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Song and Guitar Work

“Rocky Mountain Way” features a memorable blend of gritty blues rock with atmospheric slide guitar work, funky rhythm playing, and soaring lead lines. The song’s backbone is its groove-driven riff, which is both powerful and melodic, offering a solid foundation for some of Joe Walsh’s most expressive guitar work. With a mix of standard and slide guitar techniques, this track is perfect for players looking to develop a richer tone and more confident phrasing.

About Joe Walsh and the Guitarists

Joe Walsh, known for his work with The James Gang, Eagles, and as a solo artist, brought a unique blend of blues-rock, slide guitar, and quirky phrasing to the forefront of 1970s rock music. His tone, note choice, and expressive bends influenced generations of guitarists, including players like Slash, Tom Morello, and John Mayer. Walsh’s playing on “Rocky Mountain Way” is a testament to his ability to combine technical skill with musical feel, creating solos that are memorable, emotive, and technically impressive without ever sounding overplayed.

Guitar Techniques in the Lesson

This lesson explores several core guitar techniques that define “Rocky Mountain Way.” Each technique is broken down in context, allowing guitarists to understand not only how to perform the techniques, but why they’re effective in a musical setting.

Slide Guitar

Walsh’s signature slide work is central to the song’s sound. Slide guitar involves using a metal or glass slide to glide over the strings, producing smooth transitions between notes and adding vocal-like phrasing. Mastering this technique improves intonation and fretboard awareness, helping players to connect emotionally with their playing.

String Bending

The lead work features expressive string bending, where notes are pushed to higher pitches. This adds drama and sustain to solo lines, a key component in rock phrasing. Practicing bending sharpens pitch control and finger strength.

Double Stops

Throughout the track, Walsh uses double stops — playing two notes simultaneously — to create fuller sounding licks and add harmonic texture. This is an essential technique for building solos with more melodic weight.

Slides

Not to be confused with slide guitar, slides between fretted notes add fluidity and expression. These are used both in rhythm and lead lines to connect phrases smoothly.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

Employed in the lead passages, hammer-ons and pull-offs allow for legato playing — a smoother and more fluid style that contrasts nicely with picked notes. Learning this helps improve finger independence and speed.

Power Chords

The main riff is built on power chords, delivering the raw punch essential to rock. These are vital for rhythm guitar playing and are a gateway into more advanced chord work.

Palm Muting

The rhythm section incorporates palm muting to create dynamic variation and a tighter groove. This is an excellent technique for rhythm control and adds precision to picking.

Vibrato

Walsh’s solos make tasteful use of vibrato, adding emotion and sustain to held notes. Developing a personal vibrato style is one of the most expressive tools for any guitarist.

Bluesy Bends

The solo is full of bluesy bends, which enhance the expressive, soulful quality of the lead lines. These bends are integral to many rock and blues solos and help develop control and emotion in phrasing.

Benefits of Learning “Rocky Mountain Way”

Learning to play “Rocky Mountain Way” will:

• Improve your slide guitar technique and open up new tonal possibilities.
• Enhance your lead playing with expressive bends and melodic phrasing.
• Boost your rhythm skills with tight muting and dynamic chord work.
• Teach you how to blend groove and melody in both rhythm and lead guitar parts.
• Provide historical insight into classic rock guitar tones and phrasing.

Conclusion

This lesson on Joe Walsh’s “Rocky Mountain Way” is an essential study for any guitarist serious about classic rock tone, phrasing, and style. By dissecting each technique, LickLibrary gives players the tools to understand what makes this song timeless and how to bring that same expression into their own playing.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Vibrato
• String Bending
• Double Stops
• Slides
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Palm Muting
• Power Chords
• Bluesy Bends