Clapton Crossroads Guitar Lesson | Intro and Famous Turnaround Lick

Clapton Crossroads Guitar Lesson | Intro and Famous Turnaround Lick
More Clapton: • How to Play Forever Ma...
More Blues Rock: • Duane Allman Stormy Mo...
This is THE Clapton turnaround lick to know - taken from one of the first real blues-rock classics!
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Crossroads" became a part of Cream's repertoire when Clapton began performing with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker in July 1966. Their version features a prominent guitar riff with hard-driving, upbeat instrumental backing and soloing. Clapton envisioned "Crossroads" as a rock song:
It became, then, a question of finding something that had a riff, a form that could be interpreted, simply, in a band format. In 'Crossroads' there was a very definite riff. He [Johnson] was playing it full-chorded with the slide as well. I just took it on a single string or two strings and embellished it. Out of all of the songs it was the easiest for me to see as a rock and roll vehicle.
Clapton simplifies Johnson's guitar line and sets it to a straight eighth-note or rock rhythm. He and Bruce on bass continuously emphasize the riff throughout the song to give it a strong and regular metric drive combined with Baker's drumming. Clapton does not adapt Johnson's slide guitar technique or open tuning; instead he follows the electric guitar soloing approach of B.B. King and Albert King.
During the instrumental break, Cream takes an improvisational approach characteristic of their later live performances. Bruce's bass lines blend rhythm and harmony and Baker adds fills and more complex techniques typical of drummers in jazz trios. However, the momentum is never allowed to dissipate and is constantly reinforced.

[@KCostelloe]

We need a “Ohhhh Hell Yes!” button!!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks so much Kevin! This is "stolen" from one of the all-time greats playing one of the all-time greatest of his creations, so it's hard to go wrong!

[@kevinallison2227]

Hell Yes!!!!

[@petegdula4749]

Mark, I just turned 65 and been strumming cowboy chords for 45 of them. In the last year I decided it was time to 'get with the program' and try to solo. Your lessons have opened up the fret board for me! Thanks and God bless!

[@MarkZabel]

Wonderful! Glad I could help!

[@fendert1384]

Hi Mark, I am 67 and have been watching your channel. I have been playing this song for decades never getting that turn around quite right . Thanks for the great lesson. The wrinkle during the opening A cord was another one and have been doing this. On the second fret play the D with your middle finger and and B with your ring finger (muting the G), slight hammer off/on with a little vibrato. Thanks again!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks!

[@michaelmerrullo2043]

Getting that intro like you show it here is simple but to get it to sound good like this is subtle. Thanks Mark. Great turnaround lick!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Mike!

[@RebelTheUncanny1]

Yeah! That's my home turf. Thank you!

[@MarkZabel]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching, as always!

[@lennylehnertz]

Great tone and as always, great playing.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Lenny!!

[@gellymusic]

Hello Mark - good to be back after our xmas break - another fab insight delivered as you always do. - many thanks

[@MarkZabel]

Many thanks!

[@gnawbabygnaw]

Thanks!

[@MarkZabel]

You bet!

[@tomacosta85]

Great lesson every rock guitarist should have this one in his back pocket. It was a stepping stone for blues rock shredding. I loved Clapton with a gibson and a Marshall. I really love the Skynyrd version. More intensity from Allen Collins a Clapton disciple. Before they did Freebird. This was thier closing song at shows. Imho if it wasn't for crossroads. We would have never had Freebird. They are in the same vein as far as solos go.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Tom! I couldn't agree more with you regarding blues-rock. Eric, Jack, and Steve W did this earlier, but less rock. The Allman Joys did this with more of a rock feel and this Cream version took blues-rock to a new level that was emulated for the sound and the playing and everything. Cream generally did that. Skynyrd and others took on the mantle. This is one of the reasons (among many) I think people who say "Clapton sucks" are full of $^it. Either people who think guitar should be more complex or technical people who think it's all about playing fast; Clapton, Harrison, Hendrix, Duane and a handful of others - they defined what guitar would be for 20, 30, 40 years. I give Charlie Christian, Wes Montgomery, and Django their proper respect too. It's always about music, and Clapton knew that.

[@lfader]

I love seeing your reference to Allen Collins! I saw him play live 3 times he's phenomenal as was Rossington + King/ Gaines But Collins explorer connection and then playing It's so emotional 💫 I get choked up hearing him solo on needle and spoon 💪💖

[@kevincostelloe4463]

Smokin!!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Kevin!

[@rccarsandmusic2641]

love that full volume marshal tone you get.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Robert!

[@bobchandler6632]

Great stuff,perfect.

[@MarkZabel]

Many thanks!

[@johnnylockard8207]

Awesome mark you rock

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Johnny!

[@derekclacton]

Love the LP gold top with mini humbuckers! Great lesson - thank you!

[@MarkZabel]

Sure thing! Thanks for watching.

[@petestern3639]

Great lesson mark!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Pete! Much appreciated!!

[@rnarizona9686]

Great Lesson Mark--Lots of Fun! "Walk This Way" was great too. I can see that you've been busy. Thanks, and keep up the great work.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks, will do!

[@tbone2451]

Love it , great choice Mark

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks brother!

[@rccarsandmusic2641]

It just shows you John Mayall taugh Clapton the Soul scale then over the years Clapton just forgot it and used pentatonic, you played it very good

[@MarkZabel]

Thank you! Clapton still mixes major and minor, but I see what you mean.

[@sbardellajulio3114]

🎸🤘👍🎼king of blues great zabel 🎸🤘👍🎼🤓

[@MarkZabel]

Thank you so much!!

[@sbardellajulio3114]

@@MarkZabel you welcome 🎸🎼

[@jamesdickinson4186]

Great lesson Mark, Thank you ,

[@MarkZabel]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@samatzhaksybek4259]

great lesson, thank you

[@MarkZabel]

Glad you liked it!

[@johnadkins7711]

Thanks Mark, great lesson,

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks a bunch John!

[@ashevillehomeinspections9535]

Mark your tone is spot on. Love the gold top deluxe! what amp were you playing? Sounds huge!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks. I'm not 100% certain, but I think I used the Blackstar ID:TVP on this one.

[@a1b1bcsologuy]

great tune and great job mark

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Joe!

[@fredtortonesi2918]

Great lesson Mark

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Fred!

[@1stovetop]

Oh Lonesome Me , by the Kentucky Headhunters. I know you could burn it up. Thank you.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@JimiHendrixEX]

This riff sounds killer and im not figurę out how to play it. I think Ed it was a Little bends in it but theres a Pull offs and double notes with Little bends. Thanks for lesson.

[@MarkZabel]

My pleasure. Thanks for listening.

[@jonathanlambert7004]

Hi Mark love your sound and technique. I am well passed my sell by date and have been playing guitar on and off for a long time. I would love to know when you started on your guitar journey did you get to a point when you hit a wall and wondered if you would ever improve. Your non playing friends thought you were good but you wanted to be able to get out there a really wow people. Was it just hours of practice and frustration that got you there or did it come easy for you

[@MarkZabel]

Hi Jonathan! First, thank you for the kind comment. Much appreciated. I started at 8 with Mel Bay. I was forced to do it for 3 years and hated it. I quit as soon as my parents let me. Then when I was 15 I bought an electric, learned basic rock and played in a bunch of garage bands. Then I learned a bit more and played in bar and wedding bands. At 22 I quit entirely for 10 years. In the late 90s I picked up acoustic again and played bluegrass and folk through 2003 then quit again. About 2010 I picked up electric again, playing swing and jazz. Then somehow, after posting a lesson or two for a friend, my videos were being watched. So I kept posting through today. Some things come very easy. Most rock and pop comes easy to me and some country and folk. I never settled on playing a single type of music, so I have a decent grasp of different types of things. Of course I have my sweet spots and difficulties. Neil Young solos ... very difficult for me to get that erratic, herky-jerky timing right for instance. I'm a better player and musician today than I've ever been before - even in the days I was at my physical peak and practiced non-stop. I think that's due to 2 things: 1. I listen to music - a wide variety - and I listen intently. 2. I started thinking more about chords rather than scales. 3. I try to play without aid of tab/music and let my ear rather than theory guide me. Personally, I think that developing my ear rather than focusing on "fretboard vision" or especially fretboard patterns has allowed me to play better and enjoy it far more too. One can do so much if you let your ears and joy of music guide you and you're not afraid of making mistakes. I have my time playing with folk musician to thank for that. No matter what your age, music is to be enjoyed. I used to get frustrated and slog through practice. Not now (well, once in a while). Life is too short not to enjoy the best things in life. And music is definitely one of the best of all things! Thanks so much for stopping by and for your kind comment!

[@jonathanlambert7004]

@@MarkZabel Hi Mark thank you so much for your journey. I found it very interesting. I believe I must of realised that practice was the gateway to improvement when I started in the 70s. But I was riddled with self doubt that I was any good and was wasting my time. My younger self used to think why spend hours learning this when I have no chance of being any good. This mind set separates the ones who go on and achieve and the ones who don't. I can remember at 11 years old picking up the guitar in our music class and just playing some 12 bar I had learnt at home. The guys who had bullied me through the first two years suddenly stared at me with this look of total respect. I had no idea how they thought this was good. To my ears this was something I had practised for fun and I got bored hearing it so often. To me I was still rubbish. I never seemed to register the improvement I was making. Any beginner may feel this when they start, as for most of us the guitar doesn't give up its secrets easily. I still look in awe at guys who can play a piece without making a mistake and keep in time. But its not magic its just hard work .

[@MarkZabel]

Live Stream this Sunday at 12:00 Noon Eastern US Time. More Clapton: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIOwoWaKg9Gcpq8 More Blues Rock: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4LVoKCgrLqXb7M

[@player00723]

Nice Les Paul Mark!

[@MarkZabel]

Yeah, I dig it. I like the mini humbuckers. Good high and low with less midrange than full-sized humbuckers.

[@rhaaaaaaaaaaful]

👌🎸👍👍👍

[@MarkZabel]

Thank you!

[@Dan-zq5wt]

I personally like Page and Hendrix better than Clapton, but the two solos in that live Crossroads recording might be the greatest blues rock solos ever recorded? That second solo is just blazing!!

[@MarkZabel]

I know what you mean.

[@Dan-zq5wt]

If you listen to a complete live Cream concert, Clapton doesn’t stray that far from what he does on Crossroads (except maybe when he played wah on the psychedelic tunes, like White Room), but man was he fantastic playing his style with that classic Marshall amp tone. I feel that Crossroads is that classic jam in A every rock player should try to learn. His phrasing and the way he seamlessly mixes major and minor runs and the double stops make this a textbook of blues rock playing. To my earlier point, I just believe that Page’s and Jimi’s overall body of work is more creative. Thank you!

[@mindfield7]

Hi Mark, I am revisiting this one today -trying to get the tempo down.. If you can oneday- i need the solo to the Cars : It's all I can do. Its short but theres a lot going on there. Be well!

[@MarkZabel]

Yeah, I like the song "It's All I Can Do". Thanks for watching.

[@toddknaster9731]

Well Done Mark Z. Sounded really nice. I have seen several live performances where the 2nd guitar would play the riff at the 5th position Just in case you are in the mood for a request... how about the main solo to hold on loosely by 38 special

[@MarkZabel]

Hi Todd. Very interesting! Hey, sure I'll put Hold on Loosely on the list. Classic solo for sure!

[@raecarful]

Mark, Great job. Would it be possible to do a lesson on Mick Ronson's "Sweet Dreamer". Would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks William. Sweet Dreamer is a beautiful song. It's fairly obscure though. Would you be looking for the head of the tune? Something else? Let me know.

[@raecarful]

@@MarkZabel Thanks for the quick reply. I hadn't really thought about which parts. If it's not too much, maybe just chord rundown and lead (studio) from 3:00 - 4:30. Thanks again from Camp Corona. Stay Well.

[@stephenlodise7997]

LP

[@jaystiger3735]

Yes !#'#!

[@glumpy6079]

Yay that's cool. For some reason on the original recording there's a guy on a mic at the end saying "Eric Clapton- the bobble!" Anybody know what the hell that means? Is Eric Clapton a bobble?

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks! Supposedly Jack Bruce says, "Eric Clapton, please" and Clapton himself right afterwards says "kerfuffle" meaning a commotion/noise ... maybe that he felt the group kind of messed up.

[@midrider335]

Glumpy actually, he says- Eric Clapton, the vocals

[@tracyhirst5003]

I always thought that Eric says " a doddle" which is English slang for easy. Just my opinion,but it sounds right to me.

[@overcome8628]

Marks gonna do....COME to POPPA SOLO soon! lol

[@overcome8628]

No for real..thanks mark I have always wanted to learn this and I GOT IT!

[@MarkZabel]

LOL. It's on my list brother. Coming up.

[@MarkZabel]

@@overcome8628 Hi Tony. Got Come to Poppa recorded. Going to post it soon. Thanks for your patience.

[@overcome8628]

@@MarkZabel wow u are an awesome person, I will always subscibe to your channel . You are a man of honor.

[@jameslay240]

Need tabs

[@MarkZabel]

LOL! You can do it without tab. It's good for ya' and your ears and fingers will thank you.

[@marksieber8140]

No Tab! Yay!

[@MarkZabel]

Not sure if you're being sarcastic or not, but if not, you've "powered up" for sure! Tab holds lots of players back in developing their ears, their fingers, and their pattern/structure recognition.

[@marksieber8140]

No, no sarcasm at all. Tabs help when I'm stuck, but ears and eyes are far and away the best.

[@MarkZabel]

@@marksieber8140 Okay. I was just checking. Yes, I'm not super anti-tab. I use them myself sometimes. It's only that I've heard too many players who mostly need work on getting notes to sound right as opposed to playing the correct notes.

[@idgilber]

Mark, could you look at doing a lesson on Eric Clapton's Spiral from the "I Still Do" Album - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5iugaiui5iAobs

[@MarkZabel]

Yeah, I'll put that on the list. Dig the vibe of that song. Good music.

[@yrulooknatme]

no tab required. denied!!!

[@markdavich5829]

That's because you've been... bad.

[@MarkZabel]

LOL!

[@MarkZabel]

@@markdavich5829 LOL!!