{"id":8300,"date":"2022-07-26T16:09:08","date_gmt":"2022-07-26T23:09:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bluesguitarunleashed.com\/blog\/?p=8300"},"modified":"2022-07-27T06:44:15","modified_gmt":"2022-07-27T13:44:15","slug":"a-clapton-blueprint","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bluesguitarunleashed.com\/blog\/a-clapton-blueprint\/","title":{"rendered":"A Clapton Blueprint"},"content":{"rendered":"

When I was learning to solo, there were a lot of licks and solos that I either couldn’t play, or couldn’t figure out by ear (remember, this was before the internet and TABs everywhere…)<\/p>\n

But through the process of playing with bands and having to figure out something to play, I discovered that if I could figure out the general sounds and patterns…<\/p>\n

I could probably figure out something to play that was pretty close to the original.<\/p>\n

I had no idea how useful and important this skill was until much later, so I try to help my students develop it early on.<\/p>\n

Which brings me to today’s video…<\/p>\n

There’s a great video of Eric Clapton<\/a> playing, “Further On Up The Road,” with The Band at their final concert (The Last Waltz)…<\/p>\n

At the top of the tune, Clapton takes a 24 bar solo in G, and it’s a solid, no-nonsense solo that sounds like Clapton instantly.<\/p>\n

But instead of transcribing that for you note for note, I’ve put together a blueprint of how that solo goes together, what the patterns are and what the thought is behind each of the changes.<\/p>\n

I encourage you to try and get something together that’s close enough but within your reach. You’ll be far better for the experience.<\/p>\n