Chordplay - The Chords Of Eric Johnson (Part Two)

Here's the next episode of Chordplay with a second installment of The Chords Of Eric Johnson. As I mentioned in the video, the original Eric Johnson Chordplay episode was created over two years ago, and while there are plenty of useful chord-based ideas shared in that lesson, it's really a glorified "chord search," so after a viewer pointed that lesson out to me and requested a "real" Eric Johnson Chordplay episode, I decided to create one - and this is it!
This lesson takes a look at some classic moments found in Eric's music from his "breakout" era - during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with songs/ideas borrowed from Tones, Ah Via Musicom, and Venus Isle. The specific songs on display here include tracks like 'Soulful Terrain,' 'Victory,' 'All About You,' 'Righteous,' 'S.R.V.,' and more!
Eric's chord vocabulary and the interesting ways he puts his ideas/chord progressions together are very inspiring, and he's remained one of my biggest chord-based guitar influences over the years. From his command of open-voiced triads and various jazzy extensions to the unique ways he combines ideas when he picks up a guitar. Needless to say - Eric's a musical force to be reckoned with.
There's plenty to learn from a player as talented and unique as Eric Johnson, so dive into this lesson, leave some comments/feedback, and please subscribe to Late Night Lessons - THANK YOU!

[@michaeleaster1815]

I saw Eric in concert. The extended intro to Cliffs of Dover was transcendent. This is over-the-top, but true: watching him in full-flight, I wondered: what if in the movie Crossroads, God could choose a guitar player to counter Jack Butler? It would be Eric. It was so angelic. (Yes, I had a few beers).

[@uncleremus5046]

Next to Holdsworth EJ’s voicings are my favorite. Great lesson 🍺’ski!

[@PoopSoup420]

Brewster is a blessing to guitarists worldwide. Passionate teacher and seems like such a solid, kind person

[@mikeg3660]

As usual, you capture the photograph of the artist

[@julianschulz1620]

Soulful Terrain was always my favorite, just love the chords and the melody lines he plays over it. A close tie would be, East Wes, with those repeated chords, and the octaves.

[@vincenttomazzolli3940]

EJ is a favorite artist of mine. You, in your mastery have unlocked some of his secrets and shared them with us, your faithful audience. I am forever grateful for your efforts and willingness to teach. You truly are the best! Thank you, David.

[@vadlasletta]

Ok we need part 3 of this! Thanks!

[@MichaelWilson-ri9pn]

Such a good lesson. I could never figure this stuff out by ear. And most tabs have this stuff wrong. You could spend a lifetime dissecting Eric. Great job man

[@rustnpiece88]

Love this! Thank you for including songs like Victory and Soulful Terrain, some of my favorite EJ songs!

[@hrosemd]

Great stuff. His famous 1988 ACL appearance is one of the most amazing performances I've ever seen.

[@jmar482]

Great breakdown of some epic songs. I grew up an 80’s metalhead but immediately fell in love with Eric’s playing and tone the minute I heard Zap and then of course Ah via musicom. Spent hour upon hour trying to learn how to play his music. Eric always uses the most beautiful chords in his music. Should be required learning for all guitarists.

[@RobJuneau]

You bring a beautiful thing to life by sharing your love of the rock guitar, Dave.

[@scottstetzer]

Great work Dave! And I second that Eric is the nicest, most humble and down-to-earth person to meet, no ego or attitude at all. He was nothing but friendly when I talked with him.

[@barrysmith7710]

Thanks, Dave. Eric is a towering talent, as you know

[@mononoaware1960]

Between the chordplay episodes and the three for alls, this is an absolute goldmine for guitar playing. This is what the internet was made for. I’m requesting a lesson on robert fripp, lenny breau, or danny gatton.

[@MT-or7lv]

EJ has the choicest chords. Love it.

[@Mrguitarcovers]

You play every song so goddamn good and clean

[@maxxschneider5534]

Steve Morse said, Eric Johnson is so good it's ridiculous! I agree. Eric was too intimidating for my autistic mind. Very complicated and challenging I went right back to the box lol. Another brilliant lesson, Thank you Sir !

[@deke61sg]

I mentioned signature tone on your Nuge lesson. Here's another one. Probably the most unique Tone in music. Absolutely beautiful sounds. He makes you want to pick up a guitar, as long as he's not in the room. Lol. Saw him once at The Chance in Poughkeepsie N.Y. and was just mesmerized by his playing. Amazing. Never attempted any of his stuff until now. Thanks super cool lesson.

[@breathtimebreath4934]

Thank you Dave!!!!!!!!🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@ringbalk4615]

Thanks! This really help me to understand EJ's playing more

[@TutorialesMezclaMastering]

Best guitar channel by far!! Thanks for your great content

[@KajHeGeHaggman]

Awesome!

[@MrPaolo101]

I genuinely get excited when I see that you’ve posted!.

[@suzannecoholic1467]

loved the lesson - thanks so much!

[@anthonygonzalez8684]

That was awesome. Thank you.😄👍

[@_johnnyguitarf3549]

Definitely an eye and ear opener! 👍👌

[@ddaneh3090]

Hell yeahh this channel is solid gold every video TY

[@voronOsphere]

Excellent Lesson, David! Thanks!!!!

[@jaquelinemaria5234]

Great lesson, thanks.

[@skipthornton5413]

....awesome videos!

[@georgeherrera9464]

Another excellent video Mr. Leonard, keep up the good work.

[@timpitts9256]

Thanks David, nice lesson!

[@bigdognance]

Great Job David!!!

[@omarsigler]

This was beautiful man 💕👏

[@BlackmoreDavid]

Amazing lesson, man! Thank you so much.

[@J24777]

Awesome thanks again!!! Was waiting for this one!!!!

[@strat0871]

Very interesting chords.

[@07STREETGLIDE]

Yesterday I was wishing for a lesson on SRV and today wish granted! Thanks!

[@Kevin-the-Just]

Cheers David, that'll give me a few hours of fun. I love a bit of EJ. 👍🏻

[@gregmize01]

Great video! AWESOME CHANNEL!

[@dhalandani4803]

Thank you for your a lesson.i like it

[@marcjordan29]

Dude..! Awesome...... I have said "deceptively simple" about ton of sruff i write. Its great to see you disect these parts. I spotted a few chords ima borrow.. 😉

[@groundsky97]

Can't help loving and subscribing your solo lessons on Paul Gilbert, Nuno Bettencourt, Vito Bratta, Reb Beach, Andy Timmons, Ronnie LeTekro, Warren DeMartini, Steve Vai and here Eric Johnson. Pliz do some lessons on Marc Diglio of XYZ, Bill Leverty of Firehouse and Pete Lesperance of Harem Scarem. Please.

[@petew.1418]

Well, you've done Holdsworth, and now EJ. What's next? Tuck Andress? 🙃

[@maxxschneider5534]

I have Yngwies instructional then I watched Tuck's; he just blew me away with just "wow"

[@maxxschneider5534]

"Steve Morse said, Eric Johnson is so good it's ridiculous!" I agree. Eric was too intimidating for my autistic mind. Very complicated and challenging I went right back to the box lol

[@TheK20sedan]

damnit Brewster do the whole thing of SRV i was really feeling it lol

[@julianbenedict9720]

I have that VHS somewhere in a box....!

[@obiem9319]

Check out the Mike Stern and Eric Johnson collaboraion and album.

[@artheriford]

First tune is "Righteous"

[@sweetpain67]

For just a single, fleeting, glorious moment...I thought it read “The Nipple Play of Eric Johnson.” Alas...

[@davidmolina3520]

Have you ever considered doing any Al Di Meola 🎶

[@skipthornton5413]

First time I saw EJ was in a bar in Houston w/ his Electro Magnets band. My band mates and I just looked at each other, and just thought WTF!...We all new he was going to be special someday....just as nice back then, as he is now...and he played a Les Paul that night!

[@caerulemusic]

eric is the yin to yngwie's yang lmfao

[@danieledwarddesoto]

I loved this episode but Eric Johnson actually uses his pick bouncing technique for Righteous. He is using his pick and fingers to pluck the chords. Eric never strums any of the chords on this song, that's why it sounds so warm.

[@waynegram8907]

True I would like to see more legit geeky nerdy theory behind Steve Lynch using A Dorian modes and scale sequencing in his guitar solos which I'm not sure why Steve Lynch prefers using A dorian mode in his guitar solo section he must change the key to G major to always play A dorian mode in the guitar solo section. A good Legit Jerry Garcia modes and scale sequencing which they have 3hour 1974 concerts to get some good tasty licks. CC Deville scale sequencing which you can listen to the early poison album with MATT SMITH and when CC deville added to the band was 100% of a major change to the band. Santana 1973-79 used Dorian mode and Harmonic Minor which they have a lot of live audio concerts to really dive into how he used these modes to make a deep legit lesson on. Gibson TV just did Ler LaLonde how he using triangle shapes and flatted 5th which you can make a video lesson about Ler LaLonde about this.

[@scottstetzer]

Alot of his weird chord voicings come from his piano playing.

[@johnc.mitchelljr.2716]

then he grabs a guitar and just melts your face 🤣