Toys in the Attic – Aerosmith

Dive into the high-octane energy of Aerosmith’s “Toys in the Attic” with this detailed, note-for-note guitar lesson from LickLibrary.com. This powerful track, which opens Aerosmith’s 1975 album of the same name, is a masterclass in classic rock riffing, aggressive phrasing, and explosive lead guitar techniques. In this exclusive guitar lesson, we break down every section of the song with precision and clarity, helping guitarists of all levels capture the essence of Joe Perry’s gritty and innovative playing style. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Song

“Toys in the Attic” showcases Aerosmith at their most raw and urgent, with a driving tempo, syncopated riffs, and an attitude that helped define American hard rock in the mid-70s. This track, often hailed as a proto-thrash anthem, demonstrates a blend of blues-rooted licks, high-speed rock 'n' roll energy, and technical finesse, making it a brilliant study for any aspiring rock guitarist.

The Guitar Work of Joe Perry and Brad Whitford

Joe Perry, Aerosmith’s lead guitarist, is the sonic architect behind the majority of the band’s guitar-driven sound. His playing on “Toys in the Attic” is fiery and aggressive, with a deep blues influence filtered through the lens of hard rock. Brad Whitford, the band’s rhythm guitarist, complements Perry perfectly with tight rhythm work and subtle fills that add texture and weight to the track. Together, they form one of rock’s most iconic guitar duos. Their work on this song, and across the entire album, has been highly influential in shaping the sound of bands like Guns N’ Roses, Van Halen, and Metallica.

Guitar Techniques Explored in This Lesson

Our lesson for Toys in the Attic walks through each section of the track — from the explosive intro riff to the snarling leads and tight rhythm parts — while focusing on a variety of key guitar techniques. These are broken down in depth to ensure that you not only replicate the song but truly understand and absorb the methods used.

Alternate Picking

The rapid-fire main riff is a showcase for alternate picking, a vital technique that improves speed, accuracy, and efficiency when moving across strings. Developing strong alternate picking is essential for mastering fast-paced rock and metal passages like this one.

String Bending

Joe Perry’s solo work in the track features expressive string bending, adding vocal-like emotion and character to his phrases. Learning to control bends will enhance your lead playing, making your solos sound more expressive and dynamic.

Slides

Throughout the riffs and fills, slides are used to create smooth transitions between notes and inject fluidity into licks. Mastering slides helps you phrase more naturally and adds a professional polish to your playing.

Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

Licks in the solo are enhanced by hammer-ons and pull-offs, two core legato techniques that allow for faster, smoother lines. These techniques are fundamental to rock and blues soloing, and improving them will make your licks sound cleaner and more connected.

Palm Muting

The song’s chugging low-end rhythm sections use palm muting to add percussive tightness and definition. It’s a crucial technique for achieving a punchy, aggressive tone in rhythm guitar playing.

Power Chords

As a classic rock anthem, Toys in the Attic leans heavily on power chords to drive the rhythm. Mastering these shapes and transitions will help guitarists create a strong, solid foundation in countless rock songs.

Trills

Perry also incorporates fast, expressive trills in his solo, adding urgency and flair. Practicing trills improves finger strength and dexterity, key to developing fluid lead lines.

Vibrato

No Joe Perry solo is complete without his signature vibrato — wide, soulful, and expressive. Learning this technique adds emotion and individuality to your playing, making each note resonate with character.

Slides and Chromatic Runs

The track also makes use of chromaticism and repeated slides, blending them into phrases to create tension and gritty, blues-inspired movement. These elements are great for expanding your melodic vocabulary and spicing up licks.

Why You Should Learn This Song

Learning Toys in the Attic is more than just mastering a rock classic — it’s an opportunity to develop a versatile and professional-level skill set. The techniques found in this song will help you improve both rhythm and lead guitar proficiency. Whether you're playing in a band, jamming with friends, or just building your soloing chops, these elements will elevate your overall playing ability and deepen your understanding of classic rock guitar.

Guitar Techniques Used in this Lesson

• Alternate Picking
• String Bending
• Slides
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Palm Muting
• Power Chords
• Trills
• Vibrato
• Chromaticism

By mastering these techniques in the context of Toys in the Attic, you’ll build a solid, expressive, and powerful rock guitar foundation.