Active Melody

Learn to play blues guitar.

Cream Guitar Lesson – Eric Clapton – EP035

Description

In this lesson I’ll show you how to play an Eric Clapton (Cream era) bluesy rhythm and lead, using the call and response technique. Clapton’s style has changed a few times through the years, but the way he played during the Cream years is still legendary because of his unique phrasing and perfect tone. Most ActiveMelody guitar lessons can work on either acoustic or electric guitar, but this lesson is really intended for just electric (because of the high position on the neck and the bending involved).

Cream Guitar Lesson

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Comments

  3. doug.balch@gmail.com says

    Nice one. Can’t wait to dig into.  Love the Clapton stuff, even though I’m acoustic only.

    Here’s a different request.  How about Bob Weir’s rhythm work on Scarlet Begonias?

    Check out this vid of him playing with Jackie Green.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXSJuKJPpCo

    Even if your students aren’t into the Dead, I would think this would be really instructional generally.

  4. Brian says

    @ajwoot - I try and do something for everyone.. there are a lot of intermediate level guitar players that won’t think this is too complicated… even if you’re a beginner you should try it!  you’ll be able to pull some licks from it

  5. Biker13 says

    Please don’t change the complexity of the lessons. I actually found the challenges surprisingly rewarding as a beginner and it was the interesting arrangements that kept me engaged. I really wanted to be able to play like that and was determined to learn. The complexity of the lessons has really sustained my interest over the past year. And after reading posts on your site for a year I’m pretty certain the majority of your students are more intermediate level players.

  6. gquellet says

    I agree with biker13. I have been drowning myself in BB king , Albert King and now playing Cream (Clapton) style I can see the parallels for the first time. I cant tell you how exciting this is to me!! Thank you Brian.

  9. jimbostrat says

    ajwoot has it entirely wrong….Brian’s lessons are designed to patiently lift up the beginner/intermediate guitarist into the next level. These lessons are more complex and professional sounding but Brian breaks them all down into uncomplicated well outlined lessons. Definitely do not change a thing Brian!

    Jim

  11. jay says

    Hi brain another great lesson in the style of Clapton I love this style of rhythm and lead. Is there any chance you can also add an audio track of you playing this on a loop so we can play along with you and I find it easier than skipping back to the beginning of your lessons to hear you play it as a reference.
    keep the Clapton lessons coming mate.

  14. luckyfamilyman says

    Word 😉 My Blues Brother Way da lay it out as always. Amen to all preach’n not to change.. I’m another intermediate player who appreciates you challenging me with new stuff… I’ve a feeling if you pinged and email out to all signed up the preponderance of us are intermediate players who are happy with what your dish’n out? I know I am..

  15. Bobs Ultra-339 Electric Guitar Level 2 Vintage Sun says

    The great Billy Grammer once told me , “you will not get any better unless you play with someone better than you”

  18. StreakyPete says

    Keep it up Brian!  Like many here, I’m enjoying the challenge of gradually tackling increasingly complex pieces. You’ve helped many of us to progress to the next level, and this piece is no exception.
    I’m just starting on this piece, but I’m sure if I stick at it I’ll get pretty close to it , like I did with most of the other great lessons you’ve given us.
    I feel if Ajwoot delves into some of the earlier lessons, he’ll soon be thirsting for something with a bit more meat on the bone.
    Pete.

  19. great1 says

    i cant belive it i learned so much
    about timeing and keaping pace with the jamtrak from being a member on this website.i never ever thought i would sound even close to what i can do its like a cool dream. this site rocks after so many years of frustration i can see the light at the end of the tunnel. thank you brian i practice more than ever since i came here just cant stop when i learn somthing new its the best high ever. ROCK ON !!!

  21. doug.balch@gmail.com says

    Hey I was in a bookstore the other day and saw Clapton’s autobiography.  This lesson inspired me to buy it.  Real cool read, since I never knew much about him.  I’m more of a Hendrix/SRV guy. 

    Really great when he described how he taught himself to play guitar by copying blues records note for note.  He recorded himself over and over until he had each song mimiced perfectly.  This was when he was 15 years old.

    Sounds alot like what we’re doing here.

  25. rob540 says

    Ajwoot is right to be intimidated- but take heart, a breakthrough will come! I use Riffmaster pro to slow down the demos while I learn the licks and then use it on the jam track at about 65% speed, only increasing speed as I really begin to hear the changes (when I no longer have to think about fingering the licks) I had a real breakthrough lesson with Brians Ep25 lesson…it will be different for everyone, but hang in there!
    I’m just loving these lessons, and am finally gaining some confidence- thanks Brian.

  27. DerekBlue says

    I’ve been on the site as Premium Member for two months and I love it.  You do an amazing job and the skill level is perfect for me.  Your lessons have greatly improved my lead playing and given me confidence to jump in on a jam. 
    I have noticed that on the Cream lesson jam track, the first pass through seems fine, but the second time the C jumps to the F a measure faster than I anticipate when I’m trying to loop back through the lead (starting with the double stop bends again).  Is this by design or maybe a mistake?  I hope this is not misunderstood as a criticism, because I love the work you do putting these together and I have simply adapted to the missing measure when practicing.

  28. Brian says

    DerekBlue

    Yes you’re correct on the first time through the 12 bars matching exactly, but after that it loops… so you would have to skip past those first 4 bars to continue looping it.  That is something I didn’t even think about until after the fact, and I can see where you might be confused.  My apologies on that!

  30. DP2608 says

    Brian, Thank you I can only concur with all of the above. I am starting to amaze myself! However on this particular lesson I struggle with the timing. Is there any way that the Jam Track could be slightly different to the video?

  34. Pacman Les says

    Just signed on for Premium Brian, love the way you teach. Used to play lead many years ago, then real life happened. I’m back at it with a new guitar and excited to start playing again.

  36. Gregg says

    I loved the early Clapton, Beck, Page blues stuff back then. Had given up hope of learning it after all these years. I thank you most appreciatively for changing that.

  37. Sudomaki says

    This is my favorite lesson so far! I’m also very much a beginner and found this to be quite challenging, but it’s these kinds of lessons that really help me advance my playing. After practicing this solo over and over and really getting the hang of the licks, my friends say they definitely notice that I made huge progress just within the last few weeks. Thanks Brian!

  39. THampton says

    This has been a great lesson for me. Love the fact this can be broken down into complementary licks and then put back together. I haven’t mastered it yet, but I keep coming back to go over it again and again.

    Just what I was looking for in learning to play.

    Cheers

  48. offgridcabin says

    Hey Brian, my neighbors thought it was a great lesson too… cranked up the gain on the ol Fender tubes… Guess I should get new windows… Ha Ha… Pret Symonds

  49. gh1956 says

    Great lesson Brian - love the different techniques - great Clapton feel - I’m not finding it easy but I guess that’s what learning and stretching yourself is all about - thanks much appreciated

  52. paul112 says

    Hi love the lesson ..My only issue is that I am having a hard time following you as it relates to the tab . It would be cool if you could somehow reference where you are during the lesson ? Hope i am making sense
    thanks

  53. manuelis says

    A really great lesson. However, as regards the tab I am a bit confused here. The bars are not tabbed correctly, are they? Its not a 9 bar blues is it?!

  55. Antonych says

    Hi, Brian!
    Thanks for another great lesson!
    I just have one problem, and I guess I’m not the only one. I learned the licks quite fast, but still struggling with tempo. It’s SO fast! Can’t wait to play together with the jam track, but feel I’m still so far, when I try to speed up, it’s such a mess!!! May be something is wrong with me, but usually I don’t have such a big struggle with your tutorials.
    May be you could post a slower version of jam track, like you did in ep056?
    I know that practise is the answer, but its’s so much better to practise together with that jam track. Thanks.
    BR, Anton.

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