The (Concise) Story of Eric Clapton, The Legendary Blues Guitarist

The Story of Eric Clapton, The Legendary Blues Guitarist

On his thirteenth birthday, an English boy - an illegitimate son of a soldier - picked up his first acoustic guitar from his grandparents.

Despite his love for blues music, he found learning to play so challenging he almost gave up.

He practised for many long hours, hanging on to learn chords and trying to imitate and mimic the sounds and tone of his blues guitar idols like Big Bill Broonzy by listening to them on his tape machine.

Soon after finding that the study of stained glass design at England's Kingston College of Art wasn't right for him, he busked around Kingston, Richmond and London's West End before bringing together his first band at age 17 - the Roosters - an R&B outfit, in 1963. From that point onward Eric Clapton went on to become a sensation with a musical career and as an incredibly talented guitar player, singer and songwriter.

His versatility is remarkable, with hits in genres from:

• Delta blues with 'Me & Mr Johnson'
• pop with 'Change the world'
• reggae  with 'I shot the sheriff'

He earned the nickname 'Slowhand' for his string-bending blues licks and riffs, Eric Clapton is known as one of the most successful musicians of the 20th century.

Do you know that Eric was 'christened' Slowhand by the manager of The Yardbirds because when he broke a string [only had 1 telecaster] he took his time replacing it on stage ...and let everyone wait...including the audience.

With his love of the instrument demonstrated in his amazing collection of about 750 guitars, Eric Clapton is hailed as one of the greatest blues guitarists of all time.

How is your musical journey progressing?

Check out some of the videos on this site which can help you learn to play the guitar.

Although, practise and patience will be the telling point for your guitar career...

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5 Of The Best Tips of All Time For Guitar Players

For Guitar Players : 5 Of The Best Tips of All Time

Here are the 5 greatest tips of all times made by famous people and how they can apply to guitar playing. 

I've heard and read these tips over the several years and all of them have  earned their weight in gold : 

1) “What You Think, You Become.” –Ghandi

I came across this quote in the book entitled “Fearless Creating”, which is written by Eric Maisel . 

It emphasised the possibleness that the things we try to make all begin in our ideas, and imagination. 

I cast this quote on my wall, my notepad, my hand, everywhere for a number of years to remind myself to keep my purpose present in my mind, and it always assisted me to not give a whole lot of attention to uninvited negative thoughts and my automatic ones, such as..SEX!

2) “There is Always a Way” -Vinnie Colaiuta

I've read this in an interview with Vinnie in a friend’s magazine some years back relating to drums. 

The entire gist of the article was that when he was faced with a abstract problem, or when he was trying to pick up something especially challenging, or new, he was of the mind that there was “always a way” to get it, be it an adjustment of posture, a new way of looking at the execution of it, a new way of playing the blues guitar instrument, something to change to accomplish what was previously believed to be “impossible”. 

I always try to use this when moving up the food chain, trying to get to the succeeding level. It has resulted in some great results, if not necessarily technical prowess, certainly something creative and unique.

3) “Poor Artists Borrow, Great Artists Steal” -Picasso or Stravinsky

I have overheard that it was either one of these extraordinary artists who said this. Also a corollary…”To be a really good guitarist, you must copy the styles of other blues guitarists.”-Frank Gambale.

Well, first what can we steal? Chord progressions, tempo, groove, melodic phrase, (backwards melody!) Expressive style, mental attitude. What is the difference between that and “borrowing”? 

I think the great artist turns his thievery into something entirely his own, perhaps by unabashedly admitting the theft and developing it into a whole new foundation. 

Think –The Beatles, Prince, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmie Page, Clapton, Ornette Coleman, Elvis. Whereas the “borrower” is feigning to us that his original work has never before been heard and they have a contrived quality. This can be a very fine line.

Prior to ever reading the interview with Frank Gambale, saying that imitating styles was a invaluable tool, I was entrusted to some obscure concept of “being original”. When I acquired the accuracy of that affirmation, I set about to work, and it has changed my life. 

I embraced the point of view that I was a student, and had a great deal to learn from those who preceded me, that music and its history was outside of myself, and was greater than I was. 

I am now a firm believer that both of these aspects expand one’s growth to an immense degree. They give the player completely fresh languages to speak, and once you speak new languages, you will be able to create your personal great stories. Stories with depth and richness.

4) “The Impossible Can Be Accomplished Through Meditation and Concentration” -The Cup and Saucer Guy

I recall being kind of trapped on a plateau with my blues guitar playing at one point. I had achieved a good deal, but I didn’t know how to really move ahead. 

I was watching a variety TV show on television one night. A man came on balancing one hundred cups and saucers. He did this for what appeared to be a very long time and then he allow them to all crash around him. As the audience applauded his effort, the host asked him how he had learned to do this. 

His answer was that through meditation, he was able to achieve the necessary concentration. I began my own meditation methods, first applying a easy technique of being still, which I had discovered in the pieces of writing of people like J. Krishnamurti, and Tara Singh. 

Nothing which requires years to master, but a simple way of continuing to quiet the mind, increasing concentration, focus, and listening, just being in a very calm and relaxed state, paying attention. I now carry this stillness and relaxation to all my guitar performances.

5) “The Three Month Rule” -Roger Mckinley

Roger Mckinley was a associate student at Berklee. Roger was also a very gifted rock and blues guitarist, who, when I first came across him, was imitating Pat Martino. 

Just 2 years later, had created his own explosive unique style. ( see tip#3!) He left the jaws of many around him agape (and he never seemed to be committing any effort into it!) 

I was surprised that he befriended lil’ ol’ me and was willing to jam with me. I understood and leanr so much from him on just a single jam session. One of the things he told me is that it takes a good 8 weeks to bring an element of originality into your playing. This has saved me a good deal of frustration, and tempered my natural impatience. 

I have come to a conclusion that no matter how much I practise something, it is usually the better part of 8 weeks  before I actually can master it.

I hope you can use these practical and inspiration quote to bring your music and guitar playing to greater heights.

Your First Guitar Lesson - Want to Learn Guitar

Your First Guitar Lesson - Want to Learn Guitar

Marty Schwartz is great at showing you how to start playing your guitar, just watch , learn and do what he does...

Absolute Super Beginner Guitar Lesson 

Your First Guitar Lesson - Want to Learn Guitar

Acoustic Guitar beginner lesson with this video

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Peter Frapmton - Do You Feel Like we do - Guitar Lesson - How to Play on Guitar, Les Paul

Learning to Play Guitar for BeginnersGuitar Playing Tips

The Secrets of Learning to play the guitar can easily be achieved by almost anyone who wants to try it.

Most newbies, no disrespect, tend to quit excessively early. This is because most of them are not trying hard enough to learn the instrument and give up the instant they encounter difficulties.

Many of these newbies insist that they no longer have time to practice the guitar or that their fingers hurt. What they do not realize is that practice makes perfect, and the reason they find it difficult to learn to play the guitar is that they do not practice as much as necessary. They simply do not know what it takes to endure the lessons that have to be learned.

Although there are free resources everywhere, which is great in its own way, a how to play guitar course written by the pro's are a great investment of not only money but essentially your time. Which nicely leads me on to my next point.

For those who do want to learn to play the guitar, here is a list of tips that you need to bear in mind:

1. Invest a little Time and Money In The Buying of Your Guitar

Learning to play a guitar is almost equal to using the best instrument possible. Naturally, people learn faster and easier if they have the right equipment for the activity.

For this reason, it is important to invest your time and money to buy a good, not necessarily the best, guitar. This is because good guitars have better strings that will trigger quality play and better sound. Good guitars provide comfort to those who have not yet experienced playing the guitar.

2. Practice makes perfect, Practice makes perfect, Practice makes perfect etc...

It is important to practice every single day. It is the ONLY way for you to learn how to play the guitar and learn to play the guitar well.

3. Self-learning

For beginners learning to play the guitar, it may be better for you to learn to play the guitar by yourself. In this way you will not be pressured and you will acquaint yourself with your guitar in as little time possible.

This does not necessarily mean that you do not need an instructor. What is being pointed out here is that it would be better to teach yourself the basics of playing the guitar before you seek the help of an instructor. Using online resources, courses, home town guitar tutors etc...

The bottom line when learning to play the guitar is to get started. Once you are familiar with the guitar, then, it would be easier for you to listen to and understand the instructor.

Indeed, learning how to play the guitar is as easy as 1-2-3. It just takes a combination of interest, determination, and grit to advance to the next level.

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Learning the Guitar Lingo part 2 - Continue On the Path to Become the Next Guitar Hero

Listed below are some of the different words that you might encounter in learning how to play the guitar.

-Riff

Guitar riffs pertain to musical pieces which are parts of a song.

-Reverb

It is added to the sound of the guitar through an effects box or through amplifiers to make the sounds more natural.

-Tablature

Guitar tablatures or more commonly known as guitar tabs are written music for guitars. It is similar to musical pieces (with notes and other musical symbols) but the notes are translated into guitar frets. It’s a useful tool in learning how to play the guitar.

-Vibrato

It refers to a guitar technique where the string is slightly bent at a fast rate to Produce a longer resonating sound.

-Arpeggio

This refers to a technique where you remove notes from a specific chord. You can then use these to create an adlib lead technique or add to the rhythm of the song.

-Pick

This is the small device which guitar players use to strike the guitar strings and is usually made of plastic.

-Whammy bar

This is an attachment to the bridge of electric guitars that can be used to bend the pitch of the notes. You can pull the whammy bar to be able to make your guitar “cry.”

-Plucking

It’s a picking technique where a player does not strum the strings all at once but hits the strings one by one to attain a softer and more defined tone.

-Palm mute

This is a technique where a player uses his picking hand (usually the right hand) to mute the strings while strumming to be able to attain a distinct tone. It is very popular in the punk rock world.

The world of guitars is composed of many other new words and you must be able to master to these or at least have an idea of what they are to be able do to appreciate the wonderful instrument that is the guitar. Become the Next Guitar Hero

Don't just Learn To Play the Guitar, Master It >>>

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Learning the Guitar Lingo part 1 - Start On the Path to Become the Next Guitar Hero

Are You Wanting to Learn How To
Play the Guitar

Then You Need the Speak the
Guitar Lingo!

The guitar is one of the most sought-after musical instruments today. Its popularity is manifested through-out the radio stations and the music videos on MTV. Almost all types of music in modern pop culture have been influenced by the guitar in one way or another.

For people who would like to get their hands on a guitar, they must first learn the guitar lingo.

The guitar lingo is made up of weird-sounding words that are unique to the guitar world.

The guitar lingo also applies to the guitar parts. You must be able to know the parts of a guitar to be able to know how to play it. Here are some of the guitar parts:

-Body

This is also referred to as the sound box. This is the largest guitar part and it comes in different shapes and sizes. The acoustic guitars usually have a hollow body, while electric guitars have solid or semi-solid bodies. Acoustic guitars have hollow bodies because they rely on the body structure for sound resonation and electric guitars use electronic pick-ups to amplify the sound.

-Headstock

The headstock is the part at the end of the guitar which holds the tuning keys. It is connected to the neck of the guitar.

-Nut

The nut is the piece between the guitar neck and the head. It is a small rod with indentations to hold the guitar strings in place.

-Neck

The neck is the long section which holds the fret board.

-Fret board

The fret board is divided into different notes by small metal rods. The number of frets in a fret board varies depending on the type of guitar and the brand. Modern electric guitars usually have 20-22 frets in the fret board.

-Bridge

It is a part of the guitar’s body and it is important for sound resonance. It gives elevation to the guitar strings so they can produce vibrations.

-Pick-up

The pick-up is an electronic device which acts like a microphone: it picks up the vibrations from the strings and converts the vibrations into electrical impulses. They are usually found in electric guitars

-Amp

The amplifier a speaker box from which the sounds of the electric guitar are magnified.

-Capo

This is a device which is attached to the guitar fret board which allows a player to play the same chord structures but in a different key.

Don't just Learn To Play the Guitar, Master It >>>

The Complete Guitar Learning System >>>