Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton What so special about EC?

Nothing, except Eric Clapton can take a couple of dull notes and turn them into the most exciting lick you ever heard in your life. Take Sunshine of Your Love,  for example. Da, da, da, da .... da, da, da ... da, DA, da. BORING ... until Eric Clapton turned that series of syncopated notes into Creams' first big hit.

And by the way, Clapton's Layla is also based on the same four note syncopated pattern as Sunshine of your love.

Watch Eric Clapton play a guitar solo... he uses just three fingers on his left hand and only uses the pinky to play chords. This was quite common in the 50's and early 60's, when Clapton learned to play guitar. It has a lot to do with his phrasing ... try it and see for yourself!

Eric Clapton & B.B. King Guitar Styles

Eric Clapton often mentions B.B. King as his blues guitar mentor. Yet, Clapton doesn't play much like B.B. King, maybe a touch of the vibrato, but that's about it. Eric Clapton usually solos on the pentatonic scale while B.B. King plays lots of major 3rds, major 7ths and wierd bends.

Wait a minute! Eric Clapton shifts positions frequently during his solos just like B.B. King. The trick changes the sound or 'timbre' of his solos and gives them 'punch'. Watch Clapton's hand when he plays the blues in the key of A. He constantly shifts back and forth between the 5th fret (V position) and 8th fret (VIII position).

Eric Clapton Guitar Tab

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