Learn to Play "Kid Charlemagne" by Steely Dan

Steely Dan’s Kid Charlemagne is a masterclass in sophisticated guitar playing, blending jazz-influenced phrasing with blues and rock sensibilities. This song, featuring a legendary guitar solo, offers a treasure trove of techniques that will challenge and inspire guitarists of all levels. Our LickLibrary lesson breaks down this timeless classic note for note, helping you master the nuances and techniques that make Kid Charlemagne one of the most celebrated guitar tracks in history. Tom Quayle breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

The Guitar Work on "Kid Charlemagne"

The guitar parts on Kid Charlemagne were performed by Larry Carlton, one of the most influential session guitarists of all time. Carlton’s solo in this track is often hailed as one of the greatest in rock history. His playing is characterised by fluid phrasing, expressive bends, and jazz-inspired note choices, blending seamlessly with Steely Dan’s complex harmonic structure.

Carlton’s influence extends beyond this song—his work with Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell, and his solo career has shaped generations of guitarists. Learning his playing style through this lesson will not only improve your technique but also give you insight into phrasing, articulation, and improvisation.

Techniques Covered in This Lesson

String Bending

String bending is a fundamental part of the expressive quality of Kid Charlemagne. Carlton uses a variety of pre-bends, unison bends, and bluesy bends to create a vocal-like quality in his solo. Mastering bending will enhance your ability to add emotion and character to your solos.

Vibrato

Vibrato is key to achieving the smooth, controlled sound found in this song. Carlton’s vibrato is subtle yet effective, providing sustain and character to his notes. Developing a controlled vibrato will significantly improve your phrasing and sustain.

Legato

Larry Carlton employs hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides to create a fluid, effortless sound. These techniques reduce pick noise and create seamless transitions between notes, helping you achieve a smooth, lyrical playing style.

Alternate Picking

The song’s rapid phrases require precise alternate picking to maintain clarity and speed. Practicing this technique will improve your accuracy and efficiency when playing fast passages.

Double Stops

Carlton makes use of double stops throughout the song, particularly in the solo. Double stops add harmonic richness and can create a fuller sound, making your lead playing more dynamic and expressive.

Arpeggios

The chord progressions in Kid Charlemagne are intricate, and the use of arpeggios allows the lead guitar to outline these sophisticated changes effectively. Understanding arpeggios will help you target the right notes over each chord, making your solos more melodic and harmonically interesting.

Rakes

A subtle but effective tool in Carlton’s arsenal, rakes add percussive attack and articulation to his lines. This technique helps bring out the rhythmic aspect of lead playing.

Chromaticism

One of the defining characteristics of Carlton’s solo is his use of chromatic passing notes, giving his lines a jazzy, sophisticated sound. Learning this technique will help you incorporate smooth, outside-the-box phrasing into your own playing.

Syncopated Rhythms

The rhythm guitar in Kid Charlemagne follows syncopated rhythmic patterns, adding groove and movement to the track. Developing this skill will strengthen your timing and feel, allowing you to play more complex rhythmic structures.

Why Learn These Techniques?

• Develop Expressive Lead Playing – Techniques like bending, vibrato, and legato enhance your ability to play with emotion and nuance.
• Improve Soloing Fluidity – Arpeggios and chromaticism will help you construct more melodic, seamless solos.
• Increase Picking Efficiency – Alternate picking and rakes improve precision and articulation.
• Enhance Rhythm Skills – Syncopation and double stops strengthen both lead and rhythm playing.

By mastering the techniques found in Kid Charlemagne, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of phrasing, note choice, and articulation—essential skills for any serious guitarist.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• String Bending
• Pre-Bends
• Bluesy Bends
• Unison Bends
• Vibrato
• Legato
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Slides
• Alternate Picking
• Double Stops
• Arpeggios
• Rakes
• Chromaticism
• Syncopated Rhythms

Take your playing to the next level by learning Kid Charlemagne with LickLibrary and dive into the techniques that made Larry Carlton a legend.