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Bonus – Eric Clapton Unplugged Style – Premium Member

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*Bonus for Premium Members – includes access to the on-screen tab viewer and the tab PDF file for this

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Comments

  1. Mike R says

    April 3, 2021 at 2:37 pm

    Brian you are putting weight on

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    • Brian says

      April 3, 2021 at 3:09 pm

      Thanks Mike 🙄

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      • steph_70 says

        April 4, 2021 at 4:54 am

        Ouch! Heard that told to me a few times this year. Haha

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        • John V says

          April 6, 2021 at 10:04 pm

          We all have….and that boy ain’t asking… he’s telling. Not necessary

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      • Bill L says

        April 13, 2021 at 3:35 pm

        No Respect!!! We’re in the Pandemic mode!!!

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      • Jason S says

        August 5, 2021 at 3:58 pm

        Love your lessons Brian! The acoustic blues ones are my favorites. I’d really enjoy a little more acoustic/resonator slide as well. Keep up the incredible work that you do. You’re extremely talented, and I thank you.

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    • Jody K says

      April 13, 2021 at 8:26 pm

      Brian, you’re looking buff and stronger.

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    • cullo says

      May 12, 2021 at 3:43 pm

      What is the quarter note =65 mean on the tabulature?

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      • Thurman M says

        October 17, 2021 at 11:38 am

        Thank you! Great lesson.

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      • Mickey D says

        November 17, 2021 at 8:07 am

        Tempo

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    • James W says

      June 9, 2021 at 8:09 pm

      Brian: you make a reference to a Beatles like chord. Its D7 shape and you are playing the forth and third frets of the e string. George Harrison uses this phrasing capoed at the 7th fret in If I needed Someone. Its a great little lick to start the song.

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  2. Mike R says

    April 3, 2021 at 3:44 pm

    Thanks for this cool lesson. What a tribute to Clapton. Looks like there are two or us taking lessons from you.

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  3. Stephen K says

    April 3, 2021 at 5:36 pm

    Brian – great lesson! You are an encyclopedia of great blues/rock/folk licks. Thanks so much. I have been playing for 50+ years and always learn something new or sharpen something old. My jam partner and I plan to do the unplugged version of Layla at our annual (except last year) outdoor summer music party. He will be jealous of the new licks I learned from you! You do outstanding work.

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  4. Mickle says

    April 3, 2021 at 6:06 pm

    Thanks Brian. This hits it on the nail for me, I’ve always liked Clapton and your lesson style keeps me coming back. One point I’d like to make is that the music example in your lessons is often too short and I feel I’d like to have you add a Part B to a lesson where you develop the theme more completely. Not complaining! You have done so much to keep me interested in learning guitar, your music variety being a great asset. However: Long live the Blues!

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    • Kyle M says

      June 4, 2021 at 3:45 pm

      That’s the idea. Teach us short compos that we can use to create our own songs and compositions.

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  5. Peter C says

    April 3, 2021 at 6:33 pm

    Love this one too, Brian… Clapton is always a favorite!

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  6. itaylor says

    April 4, 2021 at 12:06 am

    Thanks Brian. Very cool. Playing the notes is one thing but getting the phrasing and tone you do is a challenge.

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  7. steph_70 says

    April 4, 2021 at 4:55 am

    Now you are speaking my language. Jus gave me the urge to spotify search the unplugged album.

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  8. Bo R says

    April 4, 2021 at 7:45 am

    Another great lesson, Brian (like you ever produce anything else)!

    Happy Easter from Jamestown, RI!!

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    • Gregg C says

      April 6, 2021 at 5:38 am

      Thumbs up for Jamestown! I’m in Western MA but sail in RI in the Summer. Usually overnight in Dutch Harbor a couple of times and walk over to Jamestown. Cheers!

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      • Bo R says

        April 6, 2021 at 8:06 am

        Thank you Gregg,

        I built out quite a few cellular sites throughout MA 10-15 years ago, and was always treated well by the locals. I did a tower in Amherst, finished early, and caught a late tour of Emily Dickinson’s house. I’m not sure if the docents/staff were used to grimy construction workers showing up, but they were very accommodating!

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  9. John T says

    April 4, 2021 at 8:29 am

    I noticed the tab download measures and the one on the screen are slightly different. I was making sure I was catching the right places for the 12 bar blues chord changes. Please clarify on where the chord changes are? Thanks

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    • John T says

      April 4, 2021 at 12:07 pm

      I kind of figured it out..The downloadable one it appears to start of the 4th beat of the measure. If you have any other details, please let us know

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      • Mickey D says

        November 17, 2021 at 8:15 am

        It’s tricky huh? Both different probably means the time signature was a bit more free than 4/4. The metronome on the playalong video is no help 🙂

        It’d be good if Brian tapped his foot to give a better reference to time, at least we would see the leg going up and down LOL

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      • Mickey D says

        November 17, 2021 at 8:16 am

        I’m learning this one now, so will video it and you’ll have to see if I interpreted it the same way as you….

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    • Roger says

      April 8, 2021 at 8:52 am

      There are a couple measures on the screen that he doesn’t go over on the video

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      • Roger says

        April 8, 2021 at 8:53 am

        Measure 9 and measure 13

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  10. Allan says

    April 4, 2021 at 2:09 pm

    tops Brian who doesn’t like slow hand

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  11. john p says

    April 4, 2021 at 5:18 pm

    One of the harder ones with effects. Not impossible. Just hard. But too cool. I will be better after I get this down

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  12. Don M says

    April 4, 2021 at 10:09 pm

    Brian thanks for this lesson! It is loaded with a lot of nuggets for back porch blues guitar.

    Don

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  13. Wayne W says

    April 5, 2021 at 2:41 pm

    Thanks, Brian. Great lesson!

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  14. Slimpicker says

    April 5, 2021 at 3:41 pm

    This is the best Easter basket ever!

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  15. Frankie D says

    April 5, 2021 at 7:57 pm

    Well Brian, I’ve said this before. You are quite and amazing teacher. Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom. You not only show us how to play these pieces, you help us to understand where they are coming from so we can hopefully use them somewhere else in our playing, when the time is right and the phrase fits. Grazie mille!

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  16. Richard S says

    April 6, 2021 at 10:11 am

    Tasty chops, Brian. Clapton-style acoustic blues is why I’m here, as we slowly spend more and more time on the deck, pickin, looking over the back 40.

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  17. chris b says

    April 6, 2021 at 11:20 am

    very flavorful, authentic mix of chops, respectful of clapton, and the blues elders.
    i really appreciate how each lesson extends the skills and connects theory, notation, techniques, musicality, tone…it’s a rich mix of vocabulary and phrasing for my musical journey. many thanks.

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  18. JoLa says

    April 6, 2021 at 10:43 pm

    Thank you for this bonus lesson here on the site, Brian!!! ❤️

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  19. Tony G says

    April 7, 2021 at 3:59 am

    Back the truck up Mike R
    especially after a bonus lesson.

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  20. Jon M says

    April 7, 2021 at 9:00 am

    Thanks for the bonus lesson, Brian – very cool topic, lots of good takeaways… and a chance to get the Martin out again…

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  21. Lisa M says

    April 7, 2021 at 12:53 pm

    Righteous! Clapton has been my favorite guitarist since I was a teenager! Gettin to work on this now.

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  22. Frankie D says

    April 7, 2021 at 9:01 pm

    Hi Brian,
    I have a question. In measure 8, you play the triplets using minor pentatonic pattern 2 in key of E, and then you slide down to the 2nd fret on the 3rd string. From there, you go the 1st fret to pick up the G#, the third of the E chord, on your way to the E on the 2nd fret of the 4th string. So, it appears that you switched to major pentatonic for a moment. It has a very distinctive sound that I recognize as being used in other blues songs. In the past, I have slid down from that minor pentatonic pattern 2 and pulled off from the 2nd fret of the 3rd string to the open G which is in minor pentatonic pattern 1. That sound is significantly different, and sounds right. So, what I’m asking is, how do you think about which note you are going to pick up there? Is it simply the sound that is pleasing or is there something else that would make you play it that way? I really like the sound of that 3rd rather than the flatted 3rd in that instance. Any insight or advice on how to come up with that choice in the future?
    Thanks,
    Frank

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  23. Frankie D says

    April 7, 2021 at 9:08 pm

    Correction to the my above reply. Should have been “That sound, meaning your choice of the G#, is significantly different, and sounds right.” Hope that clears up my question.

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  24. David LC says

    April 7, 2021 at 10:31 pm

    A bunch of cool licks and the first Clapton song in my kitchen set. I didn’t think I could play a EC tune but you made it pretty easy to pick up. Thank you sir.

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  25. Thang C says

    April 8, 2021 at 6:34 pm

    It’s beautiful! What software do you use for tab and notification?

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  26. Cary says

    April 9, 2021 at 6:58 pm

    Oh Yeah ! Love love love love love this lesson !!!!!! Did I mention I love this lesson?

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  27. Mark D says

    April 10, 2021 at 4:32 pm

    or “Stormy Monday” chord

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  28. pshearer says

    April 10, 2021 at 6:00 pm

    This awesome. Thanks for all the great material here. I left this site about four years ago, tried several others. I picked one site to use for this year and this was it. This is where you learn for real, so thanks again Mr. Brian.

    I find the blues to be so hard to sound authentic. Yes it’s simple, but so hard to sound like the real deal. I told that to a friend who is a pro and he said the real old blues is very tough to replicate because they use cheap dime store guitars that today have a unique sound; I guess that and decades, maybe generations of feel. I can really just admire. This is great though and thanks again. You sound the most authentic of any of the blues guys out there with a website.

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  29. PJossen says

    April 11, 2021 at 10:20 am

    Hi Brian
    I’m enyoing your weeklly lessons allready for 10 years and learned so much.
    The bonus lesson from Eric Clapton just for my 70th birthday was a super present.
    Thank you so much.

    Greetings from switzerland Paul 3rd april 1951

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  30. Mark S says

    April 12, 2021 at 2:29 am

    I’m relatively new to Premium Brian, but loving your take on classic blues players/songs, and your ability to have us believe we can mix it as well.

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  31. Antonio D says

    April 13, 2021 at 3:31 pm

    Hey Brian.

    Very good stuff and the best part is that you keep me interested for more. Thank you.

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  32. Jason D says

    April 23, 2021 at 6:43 pm

    It’s over 3 weeks since this lesson was uploaded and I’m still loving it and it’s really inspiring as there’s so much content. Just another example of Brian’s excellent teaching skills:-)

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  33. Don Patton jr says

    April 26, 2021 at 8:58 am

    Brian
    This is a great lesson, centered on licks, slides and bends in E.C. style of play. Thank you on behalf of those of us who are fans of “Unplugged ” style of acoustic play !
    I have just completed the lesson , in fingerstyle…Thanks for sharing !

    Don P

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  34. Chris says

    April 28, 2021 at 1:32 pm

    Hi Brian, as a real Clapton-Fanatic I have to say that I’m very grateful for your nice special. It’s really fun and an instructive challange.
    Thank you from Frankfurt, Germany.

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  35. Chris R says

    April 30, 2021 at 11:24 pm

    Brian, this lesson is just fantastic! It’s made me go back and revise 303, 305 etc to gather together a magnificent suite of classic Clapton acoustic links, each of which can be tweeked, mixed and matched in countless new ways at the player’s discretion to create something new every time. Truly the improviser’s Holy Grail.
    Wow, you really do save so much time listening to and transposing licks for us who would otherwise individually have to do it all for ourselves, often with limited time at our disposal.
    As I see it, your supreme strengths as an online instructor lie in your willingness to (1) do that listening for us, (2) painstakingly explain fingering, theory and playing techniques, and (3) compose original pieces that are interesting enough to be used as ‘demo’ snippets in a music store or other ‘pressure’ situations where an impromptu audience can crop up.
    Thanks so much. You’re the best!

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  36. Alejandro G says

    May 18, 2021 at 5:45 pm

    Brian, very nice…let me ask, what strings are you using in the Martin? Cheers man…

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  37. Phip says

    June 14, 2021 at 7:12 pm

    Nothing super tricky here, but such a challenge for me with the phrasing of this! Will keep listening, slowing it down, and practicing.

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  38. ChubbyKnuckles T says

    July 14, 2021 at 11:56 am

    I could be mistaken but I think in the yt vid the 13th measure is missing…? And i believe the ,bassline’ in measure 6 and 7 is different every time and different from the notation?

    Usually I’d say let’s roll with that, but in this lesson I found the phrasing more challenging than anything else and wanted to get it right. Which is hard if there’s no standard to play to 😅

    Anyway very nice lesson!

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  39. Thierry V says

    August 3, 2021 at 12:00 pm

    Yes you are right, there is some missing measures, that’s why l was struggling so much to learn this lesson, God damn it !!

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  40. Ricky M says

    August 5, 2021 at 7:56 am

    Great as usual Thanks Brian. Im a big E.C. FAN Myself.

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  41. Jason S says

    August 5, 2021 at 3:59 pm

    Love your lessons Brian! The acoustic blues ones are my favorites. I’d really enjoy a little more acoustic/resonator slide as well. Keep up the incredible work that you do. You’re extremely talented, and I thank you.

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  42. Bern F says

    September 19, 2021 at 4:36 am

    Imagine if Robert Johnson was whisked to the present day in a time machine – watching it in amazement at soundslice and the online resources for learning the blues, and then someone says “this lick is very Robert Johnson”

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  43. Timothy L says

    January 8, 2022 at 8:20 am

    Hi Brian, simply fantastic. More Clapton acoustic blues please !!! More of this type stuff and I will be a subscriber for life…

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  44. Robin D says

    May 10, 2022 at 5:46 am

    Can you play this fingerstyle, I see you a pick on this one ?

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  45. warren b says

    June 15, 2022 at 4:36 am

    Hi Brian, after the intro and just before the bend on the 8th fret b string leading into the lick, i hear another note, or is it a muted note to keep in time.? not in the tab.

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  46. Paul R says

    April 18, 2024 at 1:20 pm

    Hi Brian, new member here situated in the U.K. I’ve been a long time fan of acoustic blues and old time music, been paddling in the shallow end for long enough , high time I got a better understanding of this thing .
    That A lick with the descending chromatic bit , I first heard it played by lightening Hopkins, never thought I’d be having a crack at it. Nice one!

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  47. Brent S says

    January 1, 2025 at 5:14 pm

    So the tabs in the intro has that 7 and 8 bend thing 4 times but you are doing it 3 times . Its messing with me 😂. Sound better with three but should I be squeezing a 4th bend in there ?

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    • Brent S says

      January 1, 2025 at 5:37 pm

      Nevermind Im trippin dude lol

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