The Boys of Summer by Don Henley – Guitar Lesson Breakdown

Don Henley's "The Boys of Summer" is a timeless classic that blends rock and new wave elements. Its haunting melody and evocative lyrics are enhanced by a masterful guitar performance, which makes it an ideal song for guitarists looking to expand their skills. In our Licklibrary guitar lesson for this iconic track, we take you through each section of the song, focusing on techniques that will elevate your playing. Whether you're a beginner or intermediate player, learning "The Boys of Summer" will enrich your guitar technique, especially in areas like rhythm playing, melodic soloing, and dynamics. Danny Gill breaks down this iconic 80's track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Guitar Techniques in "The Boys of Summer"

Rhythm Playing with Palm Muting

One of the key techniques in the rhythm sections of "The Boys of Summer" is palm muting. This involves gently resting the edge of your palm on the strings near the bridge while picking, creating a muted, percussive sound that adds texture to the chord progressions.

Benefit: Palm muting helps you control dynamics and adds rhythmical tightness to your playing. Mastering this technique improves your ability to switch between muted and open strums, giving your rhythm parts more depth and variety.

Arpeggiated Chord Progressions

Throughout the song, the chord progressions are often arpeggiated, meaning the notes of the chord are played individually in sequence rather than strummed. This technique is especially prominent in the intro and verses, where it creates an atmospheric and reflective mood.

Benefit: Arpeggiating chords teaches precision in finger placement and timing, improving your ability to play intricate passages cleanly. This technique also enhances your finger dexterity and coordination.

Slides and Hammer-Ons

In the melodic sections and the solo, slides and hammer-ons are used to add smooth transitions between notes. Sliding between positions or hammering onto a note without picking it again helps create a fluid, legato feel, which adds to the emotional expression of the song.

Benefit: Learning slides and hammer-ons develops your fretboard navigation skills and finger strength. These techniques are essential for achieving a smooth, connected sound, which is useful in solos and melodic lines.

Syncopated Rhythms

"The Boys of Summer" utilises syncopation in its rhythm, especially in the verses, where the guitar shifts accents to off-beats. Syncopation adds complexity to the rhythm and helps create a driving groove that complements the song's lyrical themes.

Benefit: Syncopated rhythms sharpen your timing and rhythm-reading abilities, making you a more versatile player. Mastering this helps you break out of straightforward rhythms and incorporate more dynamic, engaging patterns into your playing.

Barre Chords

The song makes use of barre chords, particularly in the chorus. Barre chords involve pressing down multiple strings with one finger to create movable chord shapes. This allows you to play different chords across the neck without changing your hand position drastically.

Benefit: Barre chords are essential for playing in various keys without relying on open chords. Practicing these strengthens your fingers and improves your overall chord vocabulary, giving you the ability to play more complex songs.

Guitarist Influence on "The Boys of Summer"

The guitar work in "The Boys of Summer" is credited to Mike Campbell, the legendary guitarist from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Campbell’s style is characterised by tasteful, melodic playing with an emphasis on tone and texture. He’s known for his ability to serve the song, creating parts that complement the music without overshadowing it. In "The Boys of Summer," Campbell employs a combination of clean, chorus-laden rhythm guitar with emotive solos that perfectly reflect the nostalgic mood of the song. His guitar work is a masterclass in how to balance rhythm and lead playing, making him a major influence on guitarists looking to add emotional depth to their playing.

Benefit: Learning Campbell's approach will teach you how to create memorable, song-serving guitar parts. His ability to balance melodic leads with rhythmic precision is invaluable for players wanting to elevate their musicianship.

Conclusion

Mastering the guitar parts in "The Boys of Summer" offers a rich learning experience. From palm muting to arpeggiated chord progressions, and the use of slides and syncopated rhythms, each technique helps improve your playing in multiple ways. The emotive and atmospheric guitar work of Mike Campbell will not only enhance your technical skills but also deepen your understanding of how to serve a song through guitar arrangement.

Guitar Techniques Covered

• Palm Muting
• Arpeggiated Chord Progressions
• Slides
• Hammer-Ons
• Barre Chords
• Syncopated Rhythms

List of Guitar Techniques Used in Our Lessons

• Arpeggiated Chord Progressions
• Slides
• Hammer-Ons
• Palm Muting

These linked techniques form the core of many guitar lessons and are essential for mastering the art of guitar playing. Explore each link to deepen your understanding and technique further.