Reelin' In The Years - Steely Dan

Steely Dan’s Reelin' In The Years is one of the most iconic classic rock songs, featuring one of the greatest guitar solos of all time. With its dazzling lead work, melodic phrasing, and tight rhythm playing, this track is an essential learning piece for guitarists looking to improve their technique and expand their musical vocabulary.

Our Licklibrary.com guitar lesson for Reelin’ In The Years provides a detailed, note-for-note breakdown of the song’s intricate guitar parts, focusing on key techniques that define its signature sound. From blistering alternate picking to expressive string bends, this lesson will help you master the playing style that makes this song unforgettable. Tom Quayle breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

The Guitarists Behind The Song

The lead guitar work on Reelin’ In The Years was performed by session guitarist Elliott Randall, whose solo is often regarded as one of the finest in rock history. Randall’s playing combines bluesy phrasing, fluid legato runs, and smooth melodic transitions, which had a significant influence on later guitarists, including Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits. His ability to blend technical skill with emotional expression is what makes his playing so captivating.

Key Guitar Techniques in This Lesson

Alternate Picking

The song’s rapid lead lines and fluid solos require alternate picking, a technique that ensures efficiency and speed when playing fast passages. Mastering alternate picking allows guitarists to develop clean and precise picking control, improving their overall dexterity and rhythm consistency.

String Bending

One of the most expressive elements of Randall’s playing in this song is his string bending technique. By bending notes to reach pitch-perfect transitions, this technique adds vocal-like quality to your playing. Learning to control bends helps develop ear training and sustain control, making solos sound more dynamic.

Pull-offs and Hammer-ons

To achieve a smooth, legato sound, the lead lines in Reelin' In The Years frequently use pull-offs and hammer-ons. These techniques reduce the need for excessive picking, allowing for faster, more fluid phrasing. Incorporating legato playing enhances your ability to create seamless melodies with less effort.

Double Stops

The solo and lead fills feature double stops, where two notes are played simultaneously, creating a fuller and more harmonically rich sound. This technique is essential for adding thickness to lead lines and is widely used in rock and blues playing.

Slides

Smooth slides between notes help give the lead parts in Reelin’ In The Years a flowing, effortless feel. This technique is crucial for connecting notes in a melodic way, adding an expressive, vocal-like quality to solos.

Chord Progressions

The song’s rhythm guitar parts showcase Steely Dan’s sophisticated chord progressions, incorporating jazzy voicings and unique harmonic movements. Learning these progressions helps guitarists understand how to add colour and variation to their own songwriting.

Arpeggios

Many of the song’s licks and fills are built around arpeggios, where individual notes of a chord are played separately instead of strummed together. Practicing arpeggios improves finger coordination and leads to more melodically interesting solos.

Vibrato

A key element of Elliott Randall’s lead tone is his use of vibrato, which adds sustain and richness to held notes. Developing a controlled vibrato technique is essential for creating expressive and emotive lead guitar playing.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Alternate Picking
• String Bending
• Pull-offs
• Hammer-ons
• Double Stops
• Slides
• Chord Progressions
• Arpeggios
• Vibrato

By learning Reelin' In The Years note for note, you’ll not only gain a deeper appreciation for Steely Dan’s musicianship but also refine your lead and rhythm playing with a mix of classic rock and jazz-inspired techniques. This lesson is perfect for intermediate to advanced guitarists looking to elevate their skills and add some classic rock brilliance to their repertoire.