While you may have seen another lesson I did more specifically on the classic rhythm figure (riff) Eric Clapton uses in “I’m Tore Down,” this is a little different take on it.

I’ll run you through it real quick and then I’ll show you a couple of cool variations. It’s best to learn the note grouping and how it works, then you’ll never be at a loss for a riff when you are playing a shuffle or slow blues 🙂

Oh… the reason I didn’t post the TAB is because I want you to try this for yourself and make something up that you like, or try to copy something that you hear. Don’t just read it… use your ears today.


    23 replies to "The “Tore Down” Rhythm & More…"

    • Steve

      Great tip – Thanks! Love Freddie King!

    • Alan H

      Nice easy one today Griff. Good stuff

    • Steven Lankford

      Thanks for the constant barrage of great lessons Griff!

    • Mark Smith

      Your videos always inspire me, to keep pushing and keep going further, I’ve learned so much from you

    • Erick B

      Fun to play. Highly versatile lick that I’m having fun with. Thanks Griff!

    • MONTY GREY BRECHEEN

      love the riff…. great reminder….back in the day and still works…thanks griff

    • Chris CLEMANS

      This was a great video Griff. When my friends and I had a band back in high school (1964) I first learned this riff when we were learning the song Money and just fooling around with this I came up with several variations of this riff and some by accident that worked. There are so many variations like you say.

    • Gordon Moore

      Sad to say, made me realise how poor my picking the correct string really is. But now have something to work on. As well as everything else!)

      • Steven McDowall

        You and me both my friend! But it’s a fun way to get good and actually — I bet you — if you do this just 10 minutes a day .. in a week YOU could be the rhythm section for Eric Clapton! 🙂

    • tony

      Yes it is a cool riff . I memorized it a long time ago. Got to try it in reverse. Thanks Griff

    • Terry Tosh

      You just made my musical day!

    • Gary

      Great Griffin! I finished your acoustic blues guitar and just completed this set of lessons from blues guitar unleashed. Great stuff!

      • Gary

        Sorry spell. Check changed Griff!

    • Graham

      So good 🙂 Thanks Griff

    • Joseph Accardo

      So simple yet so useful, great riff keep em coming. Thanks Griff.

    • Doug McCarten

      Thanks Griff,

      Easy to see that this riff and it’s variations are usable just about anywhere. Am still having little trouble with Why the Caged G Shape fits with The Wind Played Mary.

      Doug

    • Rick

      Honey Hush

    • Steve

      Simple and neat, yet a very tasty riff. Thanks, Griff!

    • DaveyJoe

      Thanks Griff!

      10/15/18

    • john

      love this lick — have been using it in combination with a SRV instrumental since you demonstrated it a few years ago – will add the variations. THAHKS

    • Philip Shefcyk

      Liked this

    • Ian

      Great Griff,
      the last three things I’ve watched from you, Minor/Major scale boxes by moving the fingering of the root note from index to pinkie, The Wind Played Mary and this have been what I’ve been looking for to add a bit of spice to my playing. I notice that a variant of this also fits well to Ray Charles and ‘What’d I Say’. Keep the blogs coming…please.

    • Keith

      Great inspiration, Griff! Gotta go to my practice space and pick up my guitar now……thanks!

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