Active Melody

Learn to play blues guitar.

Eric Clapton style string bends and playing with emotion – Guitar Lesson EP577

Description

In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play an Eric Clapton inspired lead, using just a few notes from the major pentatonic scale (in 1 position). It’s easier than you think!

Part 1 - Free Guitar Lesson

Part 2 - For Premium Members

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Slow Walkthrough

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Video Tablature Breakdown

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Comments

    • Brian F says

      Brian, I joined six months ago. I am retired guy 71 yrs old. Played guitar for years and made more progress now than in forty years. Like the Clapton touch also had Allman bros feel. Jam track has let really learn more improvisation. Like the lesson that can be played solo

    • Neil R says

      Brian,

      You are the ultimate guitar instructor. You make your lessons fun and they can be as complex or as simple as the student who wants to make them based on their skill level. I have been playing guitar since I was in my early teens and now 72 years old. I knew the basic chords to play along but not much on the theory or improvisation. I took long breaks between playing but since I discovered your site and became a Premium Member a few years ago I am more focussed to continue on and even have my 11 year old grandson interested in learning to play the guitar.

      This lesson is Fantastic and Eric Clapton is my favourite guitar player along with you 🙂

      Thanks for all the help and encouragement you provide in all your lessons.

      Neil Richards
      Alberta, Canada

  7. Dale G says

    Thank you so much Brian! You hit nail on head with this one-emotion. So simple yet so much feeling. Can’t explain it to someone that doesn’t play but it’s therapy for me! Clapton always been one of my favorites as well. You put together another gem. What an awesome talent you have and share it with us to learn! Will be playing often.

  10. houliAK says

    Sweet!! I’ve been working the “C” shape and MP4 area the last week or so and this lesson really gave me some ideas. Thanks for a timely lesson and jam tracks to tie it all together!

  11. J. Michael T says

    Brian these chords remind me of “see what love can do” from Behind the sun and there’s a short little solo that fits perfectly for this lesson. People that hate Clapton are idiots who else has done what he has with not only amazing guitar but singing and writing amazing music and putting on amazing concerts. I’m tired of hearing about Beck he did none of that. love Eric and we should be glad he is still around and making music live

  18. Don R says

    So often when I work on your lesson material it takes me a good while (often weeks) to absorb the notes and tempo, get my stubborn fingers to cooperate and only then can I start “playing” music, if that makes any sense. This one however seems like I can introduce the “feels” right from the jump. Thank you.

  19. Daniel H says

    I appreciate the lesson on bending notes. Seems I was struggling to figure out which notes lend themselves to pending but you have explained it nicely. I love the half bend to touch on the minor pentatonic.

  23. Patrick J. G says

    This lesson could be just what I need. I have, I guess blues guitar emotions , that are just dying to burst out but I” m just not able to let it go. This lesson is easy enough to play so I can concentrate or probably better yet, to just let it go. By no means am I a great player but I have learned a lot since joining Active Melody, and can play. I play for myself so if I’m happy with it I’m good. Funny how things show up at the right time. Thanks for another great lesson Brian.

  25. Michael N says

    Great lesson, Brian. Thank you. We just saw EC at the Royal Albert Hall. It was an extraordinary show. Love your Stratocaster and I very much understand the sentimentality of it! Its beautiful. Show us some pictures of you playing it as a teenager!!

  29. Peter R says

    Just playing along with you on this really worked for me. Some very nice ideas on what to play from the C shape in addition to the E shape. Surprised myself on how quickly I could replicate the phrases you played. Very motivating lesson. I would love to see another lesson like this for the A shape.

  31. Brian E C says

    Brian

    This is one of your best lessons. It made me realize how important it is to incorporate flexibility in my playing., up to now I have been a bit too rigid in my approach to guitar. This has shown me what is possible and motivates me to keep plugging away.

    Brian C

  32. Wade O says

    Good day all! This is a great lesson for all levels of players. One possible enhancement would be to flash the scale on the screen, Eg. E Major Pentatonic 4, giving us a visual reminder of the notes available. Yes, we should know it, however at the beginner level, repetition is key. (Pun intended)! Enjoy the music! Thanks Wade

  34. John H says

    Brian – Absolutely love hearing you put your emotion into this one – especially your feelings about your guitar – Don’t we all have ONE guitar we absolutely connect with – For me it is with a guitar my now wife had sitting around not being played when I met her – I picked it up and it became mine – I used it to sing a song to her when we got married and while it is not a great guitar sound wise I so connect with it – Well, it sounds GREAT to me – Every time I pick it up it I just feel the love –
    Thanks for sharing Brian !!!

  35. Wayne M says

    love this one, you encourage improvising more with this one. I’m feeling more confident now.
    Hey what’s up with the nut on that strat ? Is that some kind of adjustable nut?

  36. Roy L says

    Great Lesson. I am great fan of EC. Saw him recently at the Albert Hall here in London. You opened my ears to how he plays those bends etc all around the E cord (c shape) and makes it sound soo cool. Like you I loved the Journeyman album. And now can start to sound like him. (in my dreams) Keep up the great work.

  38. Steven B says

    Hey Brian, while you are giving EC a run I would love to see a slide lesson in the style of My Fathers Eyes. Focusing on the reasons behind each run and how to choose the note to land on to define the bar. I find everything he does just so full of emotion and I’ll end up listening to him for weeks now you’ve put him in my mind. Fantastic lesson as always.

  39. Bob B says

    Great lesson Brian, nice and laid back.

    Any chance you could do a lesson Rory Gallagher style . Electric blues or acoustic (and mandolin) style. A very emotional player. Check out ‘Out on the western plain ,,’(sic). Great acoustic number.

    BTW. His brother is offering his well used Stratocaster for sale for approx €700 000. Government here is hoping to buy it to keep it in Ireland,

  42. Brad S says

    I really enjoyed this lesson since I enjoy listening to Eric C. You helped my unlock some ideas for playing along. The jam track is also a great idea for us … thanks for doing that as well!

  43. Max d says

    Hi Brian, I came in a bit late for your lesson, but as always a gem. Loved the last 6 minutes of your Premium members’ video when you get down and personal/sentimental about your guitar, and you remind us that no matter if you heard it before, it’s always good to be reminded of the basics. Again thanks Brian. PS. I also have a weekly one-on-one ‘live’ lesson and this week, my teacher came in with a black Squire!

  45. Tom D says

    Hi Brian

    I use a Fender Mustang 1 20 watt amp and I found your sound setting. It’s called Aussi Rock and it matches it exactly with my Strat guitar 5 way switch in the middle setting. If somebody has a modelling amp they might like to try it out.

  48. Roman J says

    Hi Brian, this is really great lesson. Please, could you write to the lesson also some basic information about soud? Usually we have a modeling amp, Helix or Amplitube and it could be really helpfull to know type of amp and effects. Thank you very much!!!

  49. DEAN M says

    Brian!
    Your presentations are always welcome. Started my first band in ’62. Been a session cat, played stadiums and festivals… but just an old guy now doing local gigs. Been a B3/piano player for… ever, I suppose, but started seriously playing guitar since my retirement and relocation from LA to DFW. On-stage I’m still keyboards but at home, I’ve come to rely on you to make sense and fun of the guitar. Well done. sir! Please continue!
    Cheers!

  50. Frankie D says

    Hi Brian, Long time Clapton fan. Thank you for the lesson. I’ve heard the negative comments about his playing over the years but don’t pay them no mind. I hear the chord changes in his lead playing. He plays the heck out of collections of notes. There’s musicality to his phrases. I think of it as artistry, and he is so good at it. Thanks again.

  51. Brad F. says

    Hey Brian…loved this composition and as always your ability to inspire others to play. I do have a question and apologize if I missed something but when the chord progression gets to the C#m then on to the D, I find my ear wants to resolve to B to bring me back to the beginning riff. I would like to hear what you and anyone else out there thinks…Thanks!

  53. jadm says

    yes again this went right into my favorites!
    I just found this lesson a few days ago and I really like the Clapton approach,
    is it possible that we could ask for a follow up lesson or two on this -that build on this ?
    adding more to the solo as we go along?

  55. James H says

    Thanks Brian. Your lessons have helped me move out of a rut in my playing, particularly your CAGED lessons. Really helped open up the guitar neck.
    One question, what is that over the nut on your black Strat?

  56. Andre H says

    I like the bend from the 7th on the second string. Going from the 2 to either 3rd or b3rd. Full bend = major, half bend = minor. To play that, and mix major and minor pentatonic at your disposal is classic Clapton and I need to learn that better. I always do only a full bend, i.e. stay in the major pentatonic the whole time.

  57. Brian K says

    Hey Brian,
    I’ve had the most fun with my guitar this week based on this lesson. Played more in 50 yrs this week enjoying this lesson. Finally feel like I can improvise!!!

    Love the slow stuff like this.
    EP225 is one of my favorite. Can you do another like that one? Soulful blues.
    -Brian Knotts
    Columbia SC, USA

  59. eddybee97 says

    this really an extension of the BB box I have used for years, but the note combination that you show opened up a different way of playing major pentatonic for me, is like learning a whole new sound

  62. Bobby D says

    I’ve been a long-time member and so do appreciate what you do for all of us onboard. but this lesson is one of my most favorite . Please make more of EP577 styles and genre. Thanks Brian.

  64. Robert M says

    Brian I’ve been with you since 2018 and I’ve learned a lot. This lesson has to be my favorite. I love Clapton’s sound from the late 80’s.

    I tried many times to buy a Clapton Strat 1988-1991 in pewter gray. My son has a 1998 in Olympic white. The lace sensors sound great.

    You said it’s one of your favorites, you should play it more! You use telecasters for most of your electric guitar lessons but I can see why, I love my tele too!

  65. Dean1 says

    Thanks, Brian–very helpful, insightful lesson. Have always loved Clapton’s playing for his emotional content, and this lesson really has helped me crack my way into how to use this in my own playing!

  66. Keith J says

    You are a great teacher. This lesson was both encouraging and eye-opening for me. My understanding has increased and I took one of your lessons with drop d tuning and wrote a song. the name of the song is “By my side”. It’s on Spotify, Apple and Amazon Music. I go by the name of Alien Blue. If you have some time check it out. Let me know what you think.

  67. Kitwn says

    Great lesson Brian! It’s so important to stress the importance of ‘less is more’ and the value of the gaps between the notes. Eric Clapton and Keith Richards are two excellent examples of this.
    A good 80’s sound too, I could really hear Mark Knopfler in there somewhere as well.

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