The Boys Are Back in Town - Thin Lizzy

The Thin Lizzy classic "The Boys Are Back in Town" is a staple for any guitarist looking to master rock guitar techniques. This LickLibrary guitar lesson dives deep into every detail, teaching you the song note-for-note while focusing on the essential techniques that defined the track’s sound. By studying these techniques, you’ll not only capture the essence of the song but also expand your guitar skill set, gaining tools that will enhance your playing across various styles. Jamie Humphries breaks down this classic 70s rocker in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About Thin Lizzy’s Guitar Legacy

Thin Lizzy’s "The Boys Are Back in Town" is a shining example of how two-guitar harmonies can create an unforgettable melody. Guitarists Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson collaborated to craft the song’s iconic dual-guitar lead lines, blending blues, rock, and Celtic influences. Their playing on this track has inspired countless guitarists, from hard rock to metal, solidifying Thin Lizzy’s influence on generations of guitarists who value harmony-driven melodies, dynamic playing, and emotive solos.

Lesson Breakdown: Techniques in "The Boys Are Back in Town"

This lesson covers essential techniques that give "The Boys Are Back in Town" its signature sound. Below are the main techniques that you’ll encounter and why each one is crucial for mastering this track.

Dual-Guitar Harmonies

Thin Lizzy is renowned for their harmonised guitar lines, which are prominently featured in this track. Harmonies add depth and dimension to the music, and by learning these, you’ll develop the skill to collaborate with other guitarists or create harmony lines in your solo work. Playing harmonised parts can also improve your timing and pitch control, as the accuracy needed for harmony work sharpens these aspects of your playing.

Alternate Picking

Alternate picking is integral to the song’s rhythmic drive. This technique involves alternating down and up strokes, increasing your picking speed and efficiency. Learning alternate picking in this song will help you play faster, smoother, and more precise passages, enabling you to tackle faster songs and complex riffs.

String Bending and Bluesy Bends

String bending is a technique used to add emotion and a vocal-like quality to your playing. In "The Boys Are Back in Town," string bending appears in solo and lead sections, adding expression and intensity to the melody. Mastering bends and bluesy bends helps you achieve a more soulful sound, as you learn to bend strings to hit specific pitches with controlled finesse.

Vibrato

Vibrato, the slight variation in pitch, gives notes a sustained, expressive quality. Thin Lizzy’s players employ vibrato to emphasise certain notes and create a vocal-like effect. Practicing vibrato improves your control and allows you to add more expression to your solos, enriching the emotional quality of each note.

Power Chords

Power chords form the backbone of rock, and they feature prominently in the rhythm sections of "The Boys Are Back in Town." Power chords are straightforward but powerful, allowing you to play rhythm sections with clarity and punch. Learning power chords helps build a solid rhythmic foundation, enabling you to drive songs with a strong sense of timing and groove.

Pull-Offs

Pull-offs, used in the song’s lead lines, create smooth, legato transitions between notes. This technique reduces pick noise, resulting in a fluid, seamless sound. Practicing pull-offs strengthens your finger dexterity and improves your ability to play fast passages, adding fluidity to your solos.

Slides

Slides add a dynamic, connective element to the song’s melodic lines. In "The Boys Are Back in Town," slides are used to transition smoothly between notes, adding a sense of movement and flair. Mastering slides enhances your phrasing skills, making your solos sound more cohesive and musical.

Double Stops

Double stops, or playing two notes simultaneously, add harmonic richness to the song. In this track, double stops give certain sections a fuller sound and reinforce melodic ideas. Practicing double stops improves finger independence and allows you to add harmonised tones to your playing, which is especially useful in solos and rhythm work.

Chord Progressions

The song features a classic rock chord progression, which serves as a foundation for the melody and harmonies. Learning this progression not only helps you understand the song’s structure but also builds your knowledge of rock chord progressions in general. Mastering chord progressions helps you quickly identify song structures, making it easier to learn new songs and improvise over familiar patterns.

Octave Melodies

Octave melodies provide a unique way to emphasise certain phrases within a song. This technique involves playing the same note in different octaves, creating a fuller sound. In "The Boys Are Back in Town," octave melodies highlight key parts of the lead lines. Learning octave melodies improves your understanding of the fretboard, helping you play with more versatility and create layered sounds in your own music.

Benefits of Learning "The Boys Are Back in Town"

Learning this Thin Lizzy classic offers several benefits for aspiring guitarists. The song’s structure and techniques give you experience with both lead and rhythm guitar, making it a comprehensive piece for skill-building. As you practice each section, you’ll improve your timing, finger strength, and overall control. Additionally, working with harmonies and techniques like bending and vibrato will make your playing more expressive, helping you convey emotion in your solos and melodies.

List of Guitar Techniques in "The Boys Are Back in Town"

• Alternate Picking
• String Bending
• Vibrato
• Power Chords
• Pull-Offs
• Slides
• Double Stops
• Chord Progressions
• Octave Melodies

By mastering these techniques through "The Boys Are Back in Town," you’ll gain valuable skills that are essential for rock and blues guitar. Dive into this lesson to bring Thin Lizzy’s classic to life on your own guitar, and take your playing to the next level!