Pick A Part That's New – Stereophonics

Learn to play Stereophonics’ Pick A Part That’s New with our note-for-note guitar lesson at LickLibrary.com. This iconic Brit-rock track from their critically acclaimed album Performance and Cocktails delivers a gritty, melodic guitar performance that offers an excellent opportunity to develop essential rock guitar skills. Our lesson breaks down every detail so that you can master the tone, technique, and attitude of the song. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

The Guitar Work of Pick A Part That’s New

The guitar parts in Pick A Part That’s New are a masterclass in rhythmic playing, dynamic lead phrasing, and expressive technique. The track blends crunchy rhythm guitar with melodic hooks, making it ideal for players looking to enhance both their rhythm and lead guitar playing. With tight chord work, clever articulations, and a catchy lead motif, this song is a fantastic workout in musicality and phrasing.

Guitar Techniques Featured in This Lesson

Slides

Slides are used throughout the lead parts in this track to add fluidity between notes and to accentuate phrasing. Learning slides improves your fretboard navigation and adds a vocal-like quality to your solos, helping your playing sound more expressive and connected.

String Bending

Bends are used in the melodic lead lines to emphasise certain notes and give them emotional weight. Mastering string bending enhances your lead guitar phrasing and teaches you how to play with greater expression and intonation.

Vibrato

After a bend or sustained note, vibrato is often added to give the tone life and character. Developing a controlled vibrato is key to sounding like a seasoned player, and it adds a professional finish to your lead lines.

Power Chords

The rhythm section of the song makes great use of crunchy, driving power chords. These are the backbone of rock guitar and are essential for creating that tight, full-bodied sound that defines the genre.

Palm Muting

Used during the verse sections to create dynamic contrast and drive, palm muting brings tightness and percussive clarity to your rhythm playing. It helps create that punchy, controlled tone so essential in alternative and rock genres.

Slides in Riff Work

The main hook of the song features subtle yet effective slides between chord fragments, allowing smooth transitions and adding personality to the part. This use of technique gives your riffs a more connected and musical feel.

Chord Progressions

The song’s verse and chorus sections make use of classic chord progressions that are staples in rock songwriting. Learning these helps players understand how to build catchy and emotionally resonant sections of music.

About the Guitar Player – Kelly Jones

Kelly Jones, the frontman and lead guitarist of Stereophonics, is known for his gravelly vocals and punchy, melodic guitar style. His playing blends the grit of classic rock with the melodic sensibilities of Britpop. In Pick A Part That’s New, Jones crafts parts that are simple yet extremely effective — built on feel, tone, and phrasing rather than pure technical flash. Learning his style helps guitarists appreciate the power of space, melody, and timing in rock guitar playing.

Jones’s approach is rooted in storytelling through sound, and his guitar work reflects this ethos. His use of articulation techniques like bends and vibrato combined with tightly structured chord progressions makes for a performance that’s both raw and refined — a perfect model for players wanting to develop expressive yet controlled playing.

Why Learn This Song?

Learning Pick A Part That’s New not only gives you insight into a classic Brit-rock track, but it also helps you refine a wide range of fundamental techniques. Whether you’re looking to tighten up your rhythm playing, add more feeling to your solos, or just learn a great song from a legendary band, this lesson covers it all. Every section is broken down note-for-note, making it accessible whether you’re an intermediate player looking to improve or an advanced guitarist seeking to fine-tune your tone and timing.

Techniques Covered in This Lesson:

• Vibrato
• String Bending
• Slides
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Chord Progressions

Whether you're performing it live, jamming with friends, or developing your skills at home, this lesson will push your playing forward in meaningful and musical ways. Jump into Pick A Part That’s New and add some Stereophonics swagger to your guitar repertoire.