New Song: Walk This Way

Let’s play this 70’s rock classic! This is one of those songs with all the elements that define the genre: awesome guitar riffs, a huge drum groove, an unforgettable chorus hook, and more. It also became a crossover hit when hip-hop artists Run-DMC collaborated with Aerosmith on a cover version, helping introduce the song to a whole new audience.

“Walk This Way”, made famous by Aerosmith, is now available in Yousician for Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, and Singing.

Walk This Way for Guitar
by: James Neilson, Music Education Designer for Guitar

In the basic riff exercise (level 4) you’ll play a simplified version of the original riff, using single notes and some power chords. Look out for the tricky string-skipping, and start slow until you get it under your fingers.

In the main riff exercise (level 8) you’ll play a slightly simplified version of the original riff, using hammer-ons to make some sections easier, and leaving out some of the faster notes. Watch out for the big stretches – make sure you use a low-thumb position to make it easier to reach.

The full rhythm exercise (level 11) includes the iconic – and deceptively difficult! – rhythm guitar part, arranged for a single guitar (it’s originally played by two guitarists). There’s plenty to dig into here, with lots of rapid-fire riffing and big stretches. One of the trickiest elements to master is the swing on the 16th notes, so make sure you really feel that bounce and nail the groove.

The full rhythm & lead exercise (level 12) combines the original rhythm and lead parts, and it’s quite a challenge! In addition to the tricky rhythm sections, the solos feature a range of awesome licks to add to your vocabulary. Solo 2 has some unusual phrasing and fast string-skipping, and you may find it useful to try hybrid picking (pick and fingers) on the quicker sections.

Walk This Way for Bass
by: Antti Halmetoja, Bass content specialist

In the basic bassline exercise (level 3) you’ll get to play a simplified version of this classic rock song. There are only a couple of different chords, but the rhythms can be tricky so keep eye on them!

In the main bassline exercise (level 5) you’ll learn the most fundamental parts of the song. Originally there are a lot of fast 16th notes, so here we have simplified the bassline a little to make it more approachable. Have fun!

The full bassline exercise (level 9) includes the originally recorded bassline, and it’s a real challenge! The verse riff is full of fast syncopated 16th notes, the chorus riff is more rhythmically straightforward but very fast and, during the solos, there are a couple of very fast fills. Start with a slower tempo and accelerate when you feel comfortable.

Walk This Way for Ukulele
by: Joona Hasan, Music Education Designer for Ukulele

In the chords exercise (level 6) you’ll be strumming along with the guitar. In the intro, you’ll be side by side with the main riff, and in the verses, you’ll be laying down the funky foundations in the background. There’s a lot of syncopation, but luckily only a few chords, so you can stay focused on nailing the rhythms!

Walk This Way for Singing
by: Sonja Patrikainen, Music Education Designer for Singing

This song is a perfect challenge for practicing higher level accuracy with pitch and articulation. The verse melody is by far one of the most complicated ones because, while it is sung in a very free-flowing and speech-like style, it still contains a lot of fast melody runs and jumps. When you practice this song, switch to practice mode and start slow! Getting the pitches right first in an almost painfully slow tempo, and then speeding it up gradually, is the key to being able to sing the whole thing in its original tempo.