All you need to do is listen to him. Clapton is fantastic at phrasing and speeding it up and slowing it down. Clapton get a lot of hate, but he is great.
The other thing to note about Clapton, was his really short learning curve, unlike some prodigies who start at a very young age. I read that he picked up the guitar at 13 for a while, put it down, and then started again at 15. He was 18 when he joined the Yardbirds, 3 years later. So he mastered the guitar in a year or 2, which in itself is incredible even for a prodigy. And then went on to be a great songwriter and singer shortly afterward.
Why they respect Clapton? Well, he was the real real. Think It this way, no Clapton, no boom of British Blues un the 60s, so no recognition of American blues, so no Jimmy Hendrix being found, so no Led Zeppelin, so no hard rock, so no metal. Clapton is so underrated is mesmerising
Clapton had a rough go, first with drugs, then his family tragedy, and it all shows in his music. He can be downright boring even if he plays perfect. And he can be astonishingly good when he is "In The Zone". He was lucky to have friends that cared about him, Doyle Bramhall, Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett, even George Harrison .. They brought him back to life. Duane Allman inspired and challenged him. But you have to give him his due. He was a game changer when he was in Cream, (Ginger Baker was the soul of that band. IMHO) .and is still a great guitar player. Thanks for the video! And thank you Eric Clapton for some awesome music.
I saw Clapton in concert, must have been the Journeyman tour, not his best album, but this was a great concert. At one point, deep in the concert, he stepped up and started a solo, played a few notes, and stopped. He did the same thing again, stopped. Then he stepped back, put his head down and let the band play a few chords, then he stepped forward, clamped down on the guitar and launched into a long, long solo that absolutely slayed the whole audience. I've been a Clapton fan since the 70s, but it wasn't until then that I realized how deeply spiritual his playing is.
@@fiddleandfart - This video is from "The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus" which was recorded on December 11th, 1968. They began recording the show at 2 PM and it did not finish until 5 AM the next day. The Rolling Stones hosted the show which included The Who, Jethro Tull, Taj Mahal, Marianne Faithfull and "The Dirty Mac" which was a one off band that had John Lennon on guitar, Eric Clapton on lead guitar, Keith Richards on bass and Mitch Mitchell (of The Jimi Hendrix Experience) on drums. They played John's song "Yer Blues" from the White Album which had just been released 3 weeks before this show was taped. The Stones eventually decided to not release this show as they were not pleased with the result. It finally was released some 28 years later - in October of 1996. This show was the last appearance by Brian Jones with the Stones... and it was also the very first appearance of Nicky Hopkins on the key boards for the Stones at a live show.
Five Long Years is it man. Clapton at his best. The searing intensity and creativity of that solo shows Eric's true genius. But don't forget, Clapton was impeccable in 1970, on the Derek and the Dominos album. Some of the most polished guitar playing ever recorded. He is truly in a class by himself.
My first album purchase as a teen was the "Rave-Up" Yardbirds album, which had EC on the live side, uncredited. Then "What's Shakin'" (his best recorded "Steppin' Out"), then Beano...I was hooked. His best early stuff shows taste, phrasing, pacing explosive dynamics and finger vibrato from the gods. I heard Cream in concert 3 times, best at the Village Theater (later known as Fillmore East). I will never forget their version of "Spoonful"...more like the studio version than the one on Wheels of Fire. I loved Blind Faith...his solos on "Do What You Want", and especially "Presence of the Lord" are genius...all this was on Gibson guitars. Then he went on a Fender bender. FTC was a return to form, IMO. My faves are "Reconsider Baby" and "I'm Tore Down", but the slow blues are great too. Not equal to "Have You Heard", mind you....but EC has shown he's able to turn it on in every decade of his career.
I would add that his singing on the From The Cradle album was some of the best vocal work he has ever recorded. Take a listen to his version of It Hurts Me Too. Truly in his element.
So great! Why I always loved Clapton was his early work. Would love to see a "in the zone" video of Gary Moore. When he was in the zone, his playing (and his tone) was just jaw dropping.
Yes, was a Gary Moore fan for a while. And he can sure get around a guitar. But I now think his heavy distortion gets a little wearing - not to mention the "God, I'm so feeling the pain of every note!" face-pulling!
The ‘Beano’ album showcased what a talent he was. That sound has still not been replicated. Jimi Hendrix heard that album and was desperate to meet Eric and idolised him. Eric soon idolised Jimi too.
He’s coming to Nashville in September. I’ve followed him since the very early days. Then I named my son after him! Gees I hate all the greats are getting old, can we start over again as of 1963.😞
Clapton may not have invented his kind of playing and he certainly was not the one and only. He obviously had lots of influences. But he got me hooked on hearing that kind of playing, which would later get me seeking out people like SRV, BB King and so may others. Without Clapton, I would not have been listening for it. And his stuff stands up to any of the others.
Clapton was the first to play with real deal gain on a les Paul and marshal amp, he was the first to play quickly and melodically. Trust me I've done the research, he's a genius
He may not have invented ir but he made It popular, took It to the Next level and as result people bothered to listen BB King and Albert King, and Hendrix made sense. He was so influencial on the music the way se know It. And, at the end of the day, It is blues (I, IV, V)
Thanks Pilgrim. Keep doing the slow-paced leads at the end of your videos. Being retired, I finally have the quality instruction and the time (and a quick left-click to stop and re-start the video of your fingering) to break these down note-by-note, lick-by-lick. I've gotten something out of each of your videos. Great stuff!
Eric Clapton is the FIRST true rock lead guitar player. Others played solos before him, but he started the actual thing that has continued ever since, of the "guitar hero" playing through a Marshall cranked to 11. Hendrix, Van Halen, Vai, and so on, all just continued something HE started. I don't think enough people realize that.
@Spike Elwood Chuck Berry, wonderful though he was - and who certainly would have been among Clapton's influences, wouldn't have cranked a Marshall up to 11!
There is no one that was before Clapton, and not one since! 60s and 70s Clapton are easily his prime, and Layla still remains one of the most important tracks of time for me! A great and informative video as always!
He's an excellent technical guitarist but there are a good number of very little known guitarists out there who are his equal or better. You just haven't seen and heard them play. And the great blues guitarists (still alive and playing in 2020) blow him off the stage.
Listening and seeing that video of Clapton - for his "little trick", he looks and sounds to be bending both the G and B string, rather than just the G. The notes are fretted on the same fret on the G and B strings, the G bends up a tone, and the B a semi-tone - listen for that high note bending. Later on he does the reverse bend the same way.
Actually, Clapton make those bends with just one finger(you can see him doing it on several videos), except the double strings bends, of course. That's why his bendings+vibrato sounds so cool.
Back in the late 70's I picked up an Eric Clapton music book with lead guitar tabs. It was awful. I don't know who wrote the book, but it probably set me back years in my playing. It was not until I saw Clapton (with Mark Knopfler) play at the Shoreline Amphitheater many years later (circa 1990's) that I finally learned how to play 'Sunshine of Your Love' and 'Layla' correctly. Your videos/lessons are wonderful. Thank you so much...
Great job! I was waiting for someone to break this solo down. It’s one of my favorites of all time, and the beauty of it is that he improvised it on the spot!....As he often did in those days. Would’ve been cool if you used a 335, just for fun....funny, because although you play it note for note, it almost has more of a Stevie Ray sound when played on the strat, especially when you slowed it down and on those “Chuck Berry“ licks. Part of it reminding me of “Stevie” too, is that Eric was on the Gibson bridge pickup, where as you were on the neck pos. of a strat which sounds like total Stevie! You nailed it though, great stuff man! Keep it up
So true-He wasn't the fast nor the most technical-but when he brings it he really speaks The Truth-he gives you everything-I've been playing Cream for years & really just starting to get what he's was really doing-Yeah he bends the shit outta that A on the 14th fret & makes you a believer.It's not so much what he's playing BUT how he plays it-Excellent video...
Your vids are a delight .... always so informative .... love the insights ....your skills are magnificent ... and the presentation quality is always top notch.
I think showing his playing from the mid 90's would be a good idea too. His playing from that era was fire, specially during his Nothing But The Blues Tour. Someday After A While, Groaning The Blues, are good examples.
Man,I really enjoy your comments and explanations!!! Your great playing matches your understanding of what´s going on when these superb guys do their thing and your ability to make it easy to see for us .
Early Clapton is amazing, it's perfectly executed but maintains all of its raw feeling. And you sir, nailed it! (Woonde ik maar in de buurt voor gitaarlessen :p)
Early Clapton was an angry, raw and aggressive player early on, letting it rip in many of his live solos, without restraint or reserve. There was energy. There was passion. Somewhere along the way that fire seemed to get tamped down. Alcohol, drugs, maturity and age probably all contributed to this. It's hard to blowtorch your way through life. Jimi never learned that lesson.
@@xandermohan6331 He had moments, but nothing like the early days. And he still made great music. He matured as a song writer and singer... and his guitar technique improved. But man, his explosiveness live was not the same.
I think Clapton himself disparaged this early style as trashy, and it gets really tiresome grinding the same pentatonic phrases as a player. Still...love that tone and style! Live Cream is his pinnacle for this (Crossroads, Spoonful, I'm So Glad, Politician, etc.). Fascinating to hear the difference between studio and live vetsions.
I honestly agree with this statement. Most of the videos I watch say you need this guitar or that guitar but what I learned from this channel is it's about the player and how they play. I don't need a room full of guitars unless that's what I personally want.
I've been wanting to learn Clapton's solo on Yer Blues with Lennon, Mitch, and Keef. Then this video came out. Thank you! Been searching for quite a while
I'd highly encourage those who don't already know to listen to EC's solo on an almost unknown tune, "Do What You Like" from the Bind Faith LP (last track). I've honestly almost never seen or heard anyone comment on it, and I think it's fantastic. He solos for a solid two minutes and it is rich with texture. It actually GOES somewhere, which a lot of blues jamming does not. I truly think it is among his best work.
Clapton is my favorite guitarist of all time.. Derek and the dominos, cream and Blind Faith are by far my favorite work by him. right behind him is Robin Trower and then Zappa. Please do a video on them 👏🏻👍🏻 you’re a hell of a guitar player btw.
When i saw Cream in the RAH Eric was in the zone and i don't mean the blue badge zone. Their performance of Sunshine of your love was astounding, not just Clapton but, Jack and Ginger were there with him and at their absolute best. When Eric plays his solo it's the best solo of him doing this song i have ever heard and i've heard most of them. It's on youtube and it's a real treat. I do agree though his earlier years were amazing and his reputation is well earnt. If only Peter Green had not had lost his way then he would have been greater than how great he was. I am meant to be seeing Eric Clapton again this year, if you haven't seen and heard him play live then folks should think about doing it soon he's getting on and one never knows? Heavens forbid, but listening to him live is a life experience.
I'm recently became a huge fan of yours. Thank you very much for your amazing content! I've never been that inspired to write an play music before. Thanks again 1000 times
I always appreciated Clapton's non-flashy guitar playing. He was all business. Him and Mick Taylor. Mick Taylor played with the same "showmanship"..... if he was playing alone sitting on his bed or in front of 400,000 people, it was the same.
Thank you for this great and informative video. Clapton used very light (gauge 8) strings. This makes bendings and vibratos and combinations of both easier.
I've actually seen comments from dolts who say Clapton isn't as great as ____ because he can't play fast. Thank you for appreciating the subtle genius of EC. And thank you for posting them. You have my vote for a Clapton video every WEEK.
Krishnamurti = instant subscribe. This is only my 2nd video from you, both top qualities. I think I'm gonna very much enjoy your channel. Keep up the great work!
So very glad YT AI suggested this channel. Great presentation- I will definitely be watching everything. My personal favorite (mind you I did not say best) Clapton are all the blues tracks on the Derek and Dominoes album and yes I can easily tell the difference between Duane and Eric.
I like the latter Clapton. More feeling and talent. A lot of people are able to replicate the younger less feeling like Clapton, but the older more skillful Clapton brought a lot more heart and feeling to make the guitar sing. That less and less are able to get that much feeling out of their guitars to replicate. Old Love and Holy Mother for example.
Quintessential "in the zone" Clapton live performance: that would of course be the iconic "Crossroads" solos (and vocals!) that we all know and love (and you are all aware of the rendition of which I speak). Compare that to every _other_ performance of that song he's done - they fall very short. 2nd place of "in the zone": the SNL performance of "No Alibis." I don't _think_ that one's on YT, due to the copyright sticklers at NBC Universal. Ditto on the vocal - he nailed it! And ditto on this stands way above every other rendition he's done of that tune. He's crazy on fire with that one as well.
EC made me stop in my tracks when I first heard him play Don't Think Twice at Bob Dylans 30th anniversary. I literally had to pull off the road & call the radio station to find out if that was EC playing in the background. The DJ told me the info and said, " This is when I knew EC was back". Awesome!
@Javigar13 When Clapton was still in diapers, you could have walked into a juke joint on the wrong side of the tracks in the backwoods of Mississippi or Alabama and seen any number of guys who could teach Clapton a thing or two. Guys who never had a lesson, were never recorded and who's only equipment was a banged up six string and maybe a bottle neck. It had to be on Saturday night though because they were picking cotton, driving mules and sharecropping six days a week.
@@Matty88K certainly, and I am a huge fan of good old delta country blues, my favourite. And Clapton learned from them. Today many of US got to know of some of those artists thanks to Clapton, particularly on the Unplugged. He played some of those classics on a time when blues wasng popular, we heard that old blues twang on Hey Hey or maltés Mill for the first time. He is a genious, a Pioneer and a students and máster of the blues, thanks to him blues waa back on the charts.
Clapton my fave for 50+ years. I like live Cream the best. How about doing leads 1 and 2 from Crossroads? Great job and attitude on this channel. Had to learn much of this myself back in 60s 70s...no TH-cam lessons!
Clapton starts as he does I think because he is always The soloist guitar but not a soloist within a member of the band. He's like hanging out until needed, then nails it kicks the song up a notch then receeds until needed again. Like a hired gunslinger.
I truly admire people who can analyze musicians styles and thoughts, because the original guy could have been like the person writing Xanadu... totally bombed out and here comes the guy working out exactly what he played... Amazing
Young and wild with drugs and later clean and humble with a lot of living. In his book he wrote that one of the really hard things was that the music didn’t feel the same without drugs
Nice video 😄. I play but have cognitive impairment so can’t remember other peoples licks! In other words it’s pure spur of the moment, off the cuff improvisation. Blues shuffle is definitely my backing of choice. Always loved Eric’s lead on yer blues on the rock n roll circus. Will try playing along in Em pentatonic. You make it look easy!
There's plenty of proof on TH-cam of Clapton ripping amazing solos. There's one jam with Marcus Miller where Clapton is playing a spray painted gold strat that's a tease for what he would sound like in a fusion band. Pretty impressive. He's also a pretty underrated singer if you ask me.
Thank you for this excellent look at E.C......I especially appreciate listening to Clapton with drums and bass that aren't all over the place...Clapton was glad to jam with guys who weren't worried about sabotaging him by changing keys and blasting the bass because they were jealous of the " Clapton is God " accolades....from here Clapton would do his first solo album and then Derek and the Dominoes both with the incredible Carl Radle and Jim Gordon on bass and drums....that Live at the Fillmore is astounding....more solo than Clapton solo with only his wailing guitar....after his heroin hiatus and the sub par ring rusted Rainbow concert Clapton was back with a vengeance with a great Tulsa band ....E.C. Was Here is one of the all time great live albums...incredibly expanded on Crossroads 2 Live in the 70's...from '79 -83 he had.the great Albert Lee in his band....Just One Night is absolutely awesome....the contrasting styles of Albert's country style picking and Clapton's pentatonic blues attack is excellent....thank you so much for these shows..looking forward to you doing Rory Gallagher and Johnny Winter....and Albert Lee....thanks...
Sorry if I allow me to correct you, but at minute 1:22 to 1:24 I can clearly see and hear that the bending you're talking about is made with middle and ring finger which are BOTH bending the strings (3rd string G note and 2nd string C# note). Clapton is not using any pinky finger to play the C# note which according to your interpretation is not bend... And the version I wrote here is the REAL trick Clapton used also in the Bluesbreakers album on 1966, specifically on the song "Little Girl"... Anyway, I respect you and admire you for your attentive and interesting videos regarding the blues and the guitar masters. Thanks.
Guitar Pilgrim please please please... first time I’ve seen your channel, and I had to subscribe...anyone with this amount of passion for Clapton deserves a follow/sub!
Enjoy this video with Study Guide: ➤ bit.ly/2Qf8HaI
Guitar Pilgrim yes 👍
What kind of Stratocaster is that? Awesome video my man!
Guitar Pilgrim , may I ask how you get this nice tone? E.g., guitar, strings gauge, pedals, amp. Thanks!
What would you think of doing Danny kirwan and Peter green? If possible..,
Guitar Pilgrim
Had to subscribe. Thanks
Finally, I understand why they respect Clapton so much.
All you need to do is listen to him. Clapton is fantastic at phrasing and speeding it up and slowing it down. Clapton get a lot of hate, but he is great.
@@rafterman5072
Amen to that..!
It is all ya have to do.
The other thing to note about Clapton, was his really short learning curve, unlike some prodigies who start at a very young age. I read that he picked up the guitar at 13 for a while, put it down, and then started again at 15. He was 18 when he joined the Yardbirds, 3 years later. So he mastered the guitar in a year or 2, which in itself is incredible even for a prodigy. And then went on to be a great songwriter and singer shortly afterward.
Why they respect Clapton? Well, he was the real real. Think It this way, no Clapton, no boom of British Blues un the 60s, so no recognition of American blues, so no Jimmy Hendrix being found, so no Led Zeppelin, so no hard rock, so no metal. Clapton is so underrated is mesmerising
No one respect Clapton, he sucks.
for those wondering, that first solo is from "Yer Blues" by The Dirty Mac at the Rolling Stones circus.
Jesus, you are phenomenal player. You nail all the details.
He totally is.. He just exudes tone and chops..
Incredible right
The Jesus an nails comments cutting it fine lol.
Was that Jesus?!? He cut his hair and shaved! I never would have recognised him.
Clapton had a rough go, first with drugs, then his family tragedy, and it all shows in his music. He can be downright boring even if he plays perfect. And he can be astonishingly good when he is "In The Zone". He was lucky to have friends that cared about him, Doyle Bramhall, Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett, even George Harrison .. They brought him back to life. Duane Allman inspired and challenged him. But you have to give him his due. He was a game changer when he was in Cream, (Ginger Baker was the soul of that band. IMHO) .and is still a great guitar player. Thanks for the video! And thank you Eric Clapton for some awesome music.
I saw Clapton and Doyle Bramhall in Vancouver BC in 2000 or 2001. Awesome show
I saw Clapton in concert, must have been the Journeyman tour, not his best album, but this was a great concert. At one point, deep in the concert, he stepped up and started a solo, played a few notes, and stopped. He did the same thing again, stopped. Then he stepped back, put his head down and let the band play a few chords, then he stepped forward, clamped down on the guitar and launched into a long, long solo that absolutely slayed the whole audience. I've been a Clapton fan since the 70s, but it wasn't until then that I realized how deeply spiritual his playing is.
Deserted Cities of the Heart from the Live Cream 2 album is absolute nonstop aggressive fire
I can’t believe there’s an entire video on one of my favorite guitar solos ever and one I doubt many people are familiar with. This is awesome!🤘🏻😝
Yes, I hadn't seen this clip! Can you name its source?
@@fiddleandfart Yer Blues
@@fiddleandfart - This video is from "The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus" which was recorded on December 11th, 1968. They began recording the show at 2 PM and it did not finish until 5 AM the next day. The Rolling Stones hosted the show which included The Who, Jethro Tull, Taj Mahal, Marianne Faithfull and "The Dirty Mac" which was a one off band that had John Lennon on guitar, Eric Clapton on lead guitar, Keith Richards on bass and Mitch Mitchell (of The Jimi Hendrix Experience) on drums. They played John's song "Yer Blues" from the White Album which had just been released 3 weeks before this show was taped. The Stones eventually decided to not release this show as they were not pleased with the result. It finally was released some 28 years later - in October of 1996. This show was the last appearance by Brian Jones with the Stones... and it was also the very first appearance of Nicky Hopkins on the key boards for the Stones at a live show.
Picasso said that an artist who doesn't borrow from others is a doomed artist. This is what makes an artist unique.
He also said “a good artist copies, a great artist steals!
✌️🤪🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶
I feel like Clapton's best later career playing was in 1994 during From the Cradle. Watch his play on 5 Long Years. It's amazing!
Yes, actually the period from 92-99, but he had some great performances afterwards
Totally agree. People just can’t see beyond the 60s
Five Long Years is it man. Clapton at his best. The searing intensity and creativity of that solo shows Eric's true genius. But don't forget, Clapton was impeccable in 1970, on the Derek and the Dominos album. Some of the most polished guitar playing ever recorded. He is truly in a class by himself.
My first album purchase as a teen was the "Rave-Up" Yardbirds album, which had EC on the live side, uncredited. Then "What's Shakin'" (his best recorded "Steppin' Out"), then Beano...I was hooked. His best early stuff shows taste, phrasing, pacing explosive dynamics and finger vibrato from the gods. I heard Cream in concert 3 times, best at the Village Theater (later known as Fillmore East). I will never forget their version of "Spoonful"...more like the studio version than the one on Wheels of Fire. I loved Blind Faith...his solos on "Do What You Want", and especially "Presence of the Lord" are genius...all this was on Gibson guitars. Then he went on a Fender bender. FTC was a return to form, IMO. My faves are "Reconsider Baby" and "I'm Tore Down", but the slow blues are great too. Not equal to "Have You Heard", mind you....but EC has shown he's able to turn it on in every decade of his career.
I would add that his singing on the From The Cradle album was some of the best vocal work he has ever recorded. Take a listen to his version of It Hurts Me Too. Truly in his element.
Loved this, thanks. Clapton is probably my favourite guitar player and I'm often confused by guitarists who don't "get" him
Without doubt Clapton had a special edge in the 60s. You are an awesome analyst btw
The two versions of Year blues with Clapton, in The Rock and Roll Circus are legendarys.
I love Fender guitars but Clapton's tone was just awesome when he used Gibson guitars.
Try a Paul Reed Smith sometime… Plays better than Gibson and Fender put together.
I switched from Fender and recently I bought a 335 close to Clapton's
100% agree. But somebody stole his les paul standard. Green kept a hold of his
1000%!.
I beleive it had P90 pickups?
Just what I needed to see today. Been on a Cream binge all week and can’t get enough of Clapton’s tone and playing
I think Clapton is most magical when mixing major and minor pentatonics.
So great! Why I always loved Clapton was his early work.
Would love to see a "in the zone" video of Gary Moore. When he was in the zone, his playing (and his tone) was just jaw dropping.
Yes, was a Gary Moore fan for a while. And he can sure get around a guitar. But I now think his heavy distortion gets a little wearing - not to mention the "God, I'm so feeling the pain of every note!" face-pulling!
The ‘Beano’ album showcased what a talent he was. That sound has still not been replicated. Jimi Hendrix heard that album and was desperate to meet Eric and idolised him. Eric soon idolised Jimi too.
sounds like it was a beautiful romance
Finally, someone who appreciates Clapton’s bent string vibrato, a technique he seemed to abandon in his later years.
He’s coming to Nashville in September. I’ve followed him since the very early days. Then I named my son after him! Gees I hate all the greats are getting old, can we start over again as of 1963.😞
I hear ya, I sometimes feel I was born in the wrong era, who needs Justin Bieber?
From The Cradle era Clapton was also devastating. Check out the live version of Five Long Years, here on TH-cam, from a live rehearsal.
Clapton is a legend
Clapton may not have invented his kind of playing and he certainly was not the one and only. He obviously had lots of influences. But he got me hooked on hearing that kind of playing, which would later get me seeking out people like SRV, BB King and so may others. Without Clapton, I would not have been listening for it. And his stuff stands up to any of the others.
Yep. And after those guys I became a lover of a l l music thanks to their music and playing styles. Cheers 🍻
Freddy King was perhaps Claptons greatest influence and the closest to his playing style of all the blues greats.
Clapton was the first to play with real deal gain on a les Paul and marshal amp, he was the first to play quickly and melodically. Trust me I've done the research, he's a genius
Everyone has his influencers. SRV for example - Albert King and Albert Collins but very fast
He may not have invented ir but he made It popular, took It to the Next level and as result people bothered to listen BB King and Albert King, and Hendrix made sense. He was so influencial on the music the way se know It. And, at the end of the day, It is blues (I, IV, V)
I have been a huge Clapton fan since '67 and use his "tricks" often. You outdid yourself with this analysis. Great job!
Thanks Pilgrim. Keep doing the slow-paced leads at the end of your videos. Being retired, I finally have the quality instruction and the time (and a quick left-click to stop and re-start the video of your fingering) to break these down note-by-note, lick-by-lick. I've gotten something out of each of your videos. Great stuff!
Eric Clapton is the FIRST true rock lead guitar player. Others played solos before him, but he started the actual thing that has continued ever since, of the "guitar hero" playing through a Marshall cranked to 11. Hendrix, Van Halen, Vai, and so on, all just continued something HE started. I don't think enough people realize that.
@Spike Elwood Chuck Berry, wonderful though he was - and who certainly would have been among Clapton's influences, wouldn't have cranked a Marshall up to 11!
@@fiddleandfart there were none when he started. He built his sound around the gear available. Anyway, others began before Berry as well.
You're right on. He was the pioneer here which makes him great.
@@joetowers4804 marshall literally made larger amps for Clapton upon request. What is stated is true. Clapton was the first with the Marshalls...
don,t forget about Rory galagher,, he was the man''
There is no one that was before Clapton, and not one since! 60s and 70s Clapton are easily his prime, and Layla still remains one of the most important tracks of time for me! A great and informative video as always!
Dwayne Allman played slide on that track.
He's an excellent technical guitarist but there are a good number of very little known guitarists out there who are his equal or better. You just haven't seen and heard them play. And the great blues guitarists (still alive and playing in 2020) blow him off the stage.
Agreed. I consider Clapton a just a good guitarist but a great musician.
That's a very white boy thing to say. Clapton was a mirror more than anything.
fanboy
Listening and seeing that video of Clapton - for his "little trick", he looks and sounds to be bending both the G and B string, rather than just the G. The notes are fretted on the same fret on the G and B strings, the G bends up a tone, and the B a semi-tone - listen for that high note bending. Later on he does the reverse bend the same way.
Chuck Berry did that lick in the 50's. I thin it was on Carol.
Can you timestamp this please?
I wanted to write the same thing, nice ear bro
Actually, Clapton make those bends with just one finger(you can see him doing it on several videos), except the double strings bends, of course. That's why his bendings+vibrato sounds so cool.
Back in the late 70's I picked up an Eric Clapton music book with lead guitar tabs. It was awful. I don't know who wrote the book, but it probably set me back years in my playing. It was not until I saw Clapton (with Mark Knopfler) play at the Shoreline Amphitheater many years later (circa 1990's) that I finally learned how to play 'Sunshine of Your Love' and 'Layla' correctly. Your videos/lessons are wonderful. Thank you so much...
WOW! 10\10! There's that signature Strat tone again... now I'm starting to see why so many guitarists love the Strat!
Yes, I've only gone Strat in the last few years. And, gosh, it's a wonderful guitar! I can see why Eric moved from Gibsons..!
Great job! I was waiting for someone to break this solo down. It’s one of my favorites of all time, and the beauty of it is that he improvised it on the spot!....As he often did in those days. Would’ve been cool if you used a 335, just for fun....funny, because although you play it note for note, it almost has more of a Stevie Ray sound when played on the strat, especially when you slowed it down and on those “Chuck Berry“ licks. Part of it reminding me of “Stevie” too, is that Eric was on the Gibson bridge pickup, where as you were on the neck pos. of a strat which sounds like total
Stevie! You nailed it though, great stuff man! Keep it up
Blues breakers with clapton is classic, but I love every era of clapton. 90s "from the cradle" clapton is pretty fierce.
Some of the solos on that album are breathtaking.
So true-He wasn't the fast nor the most technical-but when he brings it he really speaks The Truth-he gives you everything-I've been playing Cream for years & really just starting to get what he's was really doing-Yeah he bends the shit outta that A on the 14th fret & makes you a believer.It's not so much what he's playing BUT how he plays it-Excellent video...
Wasn't fast his nickname is slow hand
Lovely Strat of yours. And very nicely played.
Clapton with the fool in his hands is my favorite Clapton. Awesome video as usual pilgrim
Your vids are a delight .... always so informative .... love the insights ....your skills are magnificent ... and the presentation quality is always top notch.
I think showing his playing from the mid 90's would be a good idea too. His playing from that era was fire, specially during his Nothing But The Blues Tour. Someday After A While, Groaning The Blues, are good examples.
Man,I really enjoy your comments and explanations!!! Your great playing matches your understanding of what´s going on when these superb guys do their thing and your ability to make it easy to see for us .
Early Clapton is amazing, it's perfectly executed but maintains all of its raw feeling. And you sir, nailed it! (Woonde ik maar in de buurt voor gitaarlessen :p)
2:41 That might be more due to drugs
Both probably lmao
Early Clapton was an angry, raw and aggressive player early on, letting it rip in many of his live solos, without restraint or reserve. There was energy. There was passion. Somewhere along the way that fire seemed to get tamped down. Alcohol, drugs, maturity and age probably all contributed to this. It's hard to blowtorch your way through life. Jimi never learned that lesson.
Perhaps great genius art is not sustainable
@@xandermohan6331 He had moments, but nothing like the early days. And he still made great music. He matured as a song writer and singer... and his guitar technique improved. But man, his explosiveness live was not the same.
I think Clapton himself disparaged this early style as trashy, and it gets really tiresome grinding the same pentatonic phrases as a player. Still...love that tone and style! Live Cream is his pinnacle for this (Crossroads, Spoonful, I'm So Glad, Politician, etc.). Fascinating to hear the difference between studio and live vetsions.
It should be international law that this video must be viewed before any purchase of an electric guitar can be allowed. 👍😊
Ha ha thanks brother, you’re comment made my day!!
I honestly agree with this statement. Most of the videos I watch say you need this guitar or that guitar but what I learned from this channel is it's about the player and how they play. I don't need a room full of guitars unless that's what I personally want.
I've been wanting to learn Clapton's solo on Yer Blues with Lennon, Mitch, and Keef. Then this video came out. Thank you! Been searching for quite a while
Eric Clapton playing Have You Ever Loved A Woman? In Hyde Park 97' is so amazing too
Marvelous playing, Guitar Pilgrim.
I'd highly encourage those who don't already know to listen to EC's solo on an almost unknown tune, "Do What You Like" from the Bind Faith LP (last track). I've honestly almost never seen or heard anyone comment on it, and I think it's fantastic. He solos for a solid two minutes and it is rich with texture. It actually GOES somewhere, which a lot of blues jamming does not. I truly think it is among his best work.
I totally agree. It's ethereal. The bit I most look forward to when listening to that song.
Or how about The Yardbirds..eegad! Eighteen years old maybe?
The solo in
1- while my Guitar gently weeps - concert for George
2- my back pages - Bob Dylan 30th anniversary concert
当時のクラプトンの手癖を本当に上手く真似していて素晴らしいです。
Clapton is my favorite guitarist of all time.. Derek and the dominos, cream and Blind Faith are by far my favorite work by him. right behind him is Robin Trower and then Zappa. Please do a video on them 👏🏻👍🏻 you’re a hell of a guitar player btw.
A very good vid thanks.........and a solo that we just don't see as such..........thanks again!!
Great video and concept!! It would be crazy to see something like that of Zappa. He was such an interesting soloist!
Nothing better than sitting down to practice and seeing a guitar pilgrim video about Clapton. You should do a Jimmy Page in the zone video.
When i saw Cream in the RAH Eric was in the zone and i don't mean the blue badge zone. Their performance of Sunshine of your love was astounding, not just Clapton but, Jack and Ginger were there with him and at their absolute best. When Eric plays his solo it's the best solo of him doing this song i have ever heard and i've heard most of them. It's on youtube and it's a real treat. I do agree though his earlier years were amazing and his reputation is well earnt. If only Peter Green had not had lost his way then he would have been greater than how great he was. I am meant to be seeing Eric Clapton again this year, if you haven't seen and heard him play live then folks should think about doing it soon he's getting on and one never knows? Heavens forbid, but listening to him live is a life experience.
Early Clapton was the one player they really shaped my playing.
I was enamored by that rawness he had.
You, me, and millions of others..! His sound on "Fresh Cream" still knocks me out!
I'm recently became a huge fan of yours. Thank you very much for your amazing content! I've never been that inspired to write an play music before.
Thanks again 1000 times
Man, your playing and tone are amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thank you!
This has become one of my favorite channels! I always look forward to your videos. Great stuff! ❤🤘🤘
I always appreciated Clapton's non-flashy guitar playing. He was all business. Him and Mick Taylor. Mick Taylor played with the same "showmanship"..... if he was playing alone sitting on his bed or in front of 400,000 people, it was the same.
ive been looking for someone to cover that dirty mac solo for 3 years. youre the first as far as i know, thanks a lot
Thank you for this great and informative video. Clapton used very light (gauge 8) strings. This makes bendings and vibratos and combinations of both easier.
I've actually seen comments from dolts who say Clapton isn't as great
as ____ because he can't play fast. Thank you for appreciating the subtle genius of EC. And thank you for posting them. You have my vote for a Clapton video every WEEK.
LightningDogg
Bedroom players. Playing blues music pushing 100 watts through 8 12s is in and of itself a difficult task.
I love the way you break things down that I just KNOW sound good... wonderful lessons!
You praise these great players and rightly so, but you are one terrific guitarist also. Thanks for your vids & playing.
I'm fan of his 90s career. A fully completely musician making music while givin no fuck about commercial side
Krishnamurti = instant subscribe. This is only my 2nd video from you, both top qualities. I think I'm gonna very much enjoy your channel. Keep up the great work!
So very glad YT AI suggested this channel. Great presentation- I will definitely be watching everything. My personal favorite (mind you I did not say best) Clapton are all the blues tracks on the Derek and Dominoes album and yes I can easily tell the difference between Duane and Eric.
I like the latter Clapton. More feeling and talent. A lot of people are able to replicate the younger less feeling like Clapton, but the older more skillful Clapton brought a lot more heart and feeling to make the guitar sing. That less and less are able to get that much feeling out of their guitars to replicate. Old Love and Holy Mother for example.
Absolutely!!
After watching that Krishnamurti clip... I wanted to subscribe again.
You are not only a great guitarist but also a cultured soul!
Quintessential "in the zone" Clapton live performance: that would of course be the iconic "Crossroads" solos (and vocals!) that we all know and love (and you are all aware of the rendition of which I speak). Compare that to every _other_ performance of that song he's done - they fall very short. 2nd place of "in the zone": the SNL performance of "No Alibis." I don't _think_ that one's on YT, due to the copyright sticklers at NBC Universal. Ditto on the vocal - he nailed it! And ditto on this stands way above every other rendition he's done of that tune. He's crazy on fire with that one as well.
EC made me stop in my tracks when I first heard him play Don't Think Twice at Bob Dylans 30th anniversary. I literally had to pull off the road & call the radio station to find out if that was EC playing in the background. The DJ told me the info and said, " This is when I knew EC was back". Awesome!
What a fun, informative and inspiring video. Thank you.
Like everything else good, music is truly a gift from God!
I see so many people disrespecting Clapton. Just think It is 1962 and you hear THAT. He was nicknamed god for a reason. A true Pioneer and a Legend
@Javigar13 When Clapton was still in diapers, you could have walked into a juke joint on the wrong side of the tracks in the backwoods of Mississippi or Alabama and seen any number of guys who could teach Clapton a thing or two. Guys who never had a lesson, were never recorded and who's only equipment was a banged up six string and maybe a bottle neck. It had to be on Saturday night though because they were picking cotton, driving mules and sharecropping six days a week.
@@Matty88K certainly, and I am a huge fan of good old delta country blues, my favourite. And Clapton learned from them. Today many of US got to know of some of those artists thanks to Clapton, particularly on the Unplugged. He played some of those classics on a time when blues wasng popular, we heard that old blues twang on Hey Hey or maltés Mill for the first time. He is a genious, a Pioneer and a students and máster of the blues, thanks to him blues waa back on the charts.
@@javigar133 Yes. You and I are on the same page.
@@Matty88K It seems we are, there is nothing like a good old blues, and I thank Clapton for introducing It to me.
Clapton my fave for 50+ years. I like live Cream the best. How about doing leads 1 and 2 from Crossroads?
Great job and attitude on this channel. Had to learn much of this myself back in 60s 70s...no TH-cam lessons!
Congrats for all your videos! Great job!!! Awesome musician!!!
Clapton starts as he does I think because he is always The soloist guitar but not a soloist within a member of the band. He's like hanging out until needed, then nails it kicks the song up a notch then receeds until needed again. Like a hired gunslinger.
That's kind of the idea of pulling him on stage! OK, Eric - your turn..!
I truly admire people who can analyze musicians styles and thoughts, because the original guy could have been like the person writing Xanadu... totally bombed out and here comes the guy working out exactly what he played... Amazing
The best video since the 2020 financial crisis.
Further on up the road, the last waltz, with " the band". ✌️
Yeah, man, I love that version. And the alternating solos by Robertson and him are insane.
Brilliant video! Your explanations are always, clear, fun and enlightening (and your skill awesome) 👏👏👏👏👏
u are just amazing in every way! What a great teacher. Thank you!!
I love this “in the zone” idea
Young and wild with drugs and later clean and humble with a lot of living. In his book he wrote that one of the really hard things was that the music didn’t feel the same without drugs
I would imagine. Especially with the use of LSD. Sound is not an element that can be recreated as it is heard while on the drug.
Love your passion Pilgrim!
You are plain awesome. Thx for videos like this one🎸🎶
I am not as knowledgeable as you but one thing I like about EC is his “note selection”. Sometimes he goes unexpected places during his guitar solos.
Nice video 😄. I play but have cognitive impairment so can’t remember other peoples licks! In other words it’s pure spur of the moment, off the cuff improvisation. Blues shuffle is definitely my backing of choice. Always loved Eric’s lead on yer blues on the rock n roll circus. Will try playing along in Em pentatonic. You make it look easy!
There's plenty of proof on TH-cam of Clapton ripping amazing solos.
There's one jam with Marcus Miller where Clapton is playing a spray painted gold strat that's a tease for what he would sound like in a fusion band. Pretty impressive.
He's also a pretty underrated singer if you ask me.
Really loved this video, I always liked and respected Eric Clapton as a guitarist. This video gives me a new insight into just how good he really is.
So badass! Thanks for the lesson ✌🏼
Thank you for this excellent look at E.C......I especially appreciate listening to Clapton with drums and bass that aren't all over the place...Clapton was glad to jam with guys who weren't worried about sabotaging him by changing keys and blasting the bass because they were jealous of the " Clapton is God " accolades....from here Clapton would do his first solo album and then Derek and the Dominoes both with the incredible Carl Radle and Jim Gordon on bass and drums....that Live at the Fillmore is astounding....more solo than Clapton solo with only his wailing guitar....after his heroin hiatus and the sub par ring rusted Rainbow concert Clapton was back with a vengeance with a great Tulsa band ....E.C. Was Here is one of the all time great live albums...incredibly expanded on Crossroads 2 Live in the 70's...from '79 -83 he had.the great Albert Lee in his band....Just One Night is absolutely awesome....the contrasting styles of Albert's country style picking and Clapton's pentatonic blues attack is excellent....thank you so much for these shows..looking forward to you doing Rory Gallagher and Johnny Winter....and Albert Lee....thanks...
I love Clapton on Crossroads.
My goodness. You can play yer blues.. Im so amaze.
Really nice video. Explaining what's going on is so unbelievably helpful. Thank you.
Great job! And great playing, as usual...
The one that always blows me away is Crossroads, live somewhere.
Crossroads live at Winterland. Wheels of Fire album. My favorite.
That Strat of yours is gorgeous!
Sorry if I allow me to correct you, but at minute 1:22 to 1:24 I can clearly see and hear that the bending you're talking about is made with middle and ring finger which are BOTH bending the strings (3rd string G note and 2nd string C# note). Clapton is not using any pinky finger to play the C# note which according to your interpretation is not bend... And the version I wrote here is the REAL trick Clapton used also in the Bluesbreakers album on 1966, specifically on the song "Little Girl"...
Anyway, I respect you and admire you for your attentive and interesting videos regarding the blues and the guitar masters. Thanks.
I told you once and I’m telling you again: yours are among the best guitar tutorials on TH-cam.
Yeah..i like clapton and your video is very interesting..can you do about Mark Knopfler
Knopfler would be really interesting!
I haven’t done anything on Mark knopfler yet, perhaps it’s about time! Good suggestion!
@@GuitarPilgrim He did aa album with Chet Atkins. Some really great songs and conversations.
Guitar Pilgrim please please please... first time I’ve seen your channel, and I had to subscribe...anyone with this amount of passion for Clapton deserves a follow/sub!
samli pachuau Love Mark Knopfler!