Don't Fall In The Eric Johnson Trap!!

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[@WalkenDead]

I remember when I was around 15 listening to "Cliffs of Dover" thinking, "what the hell is that dude doing". Just completely amazed. Here I am at 44 still thinking "what the hell is he doing", still amazed lol

[@DavidOnTheRoadGuitars]

You and I both, I'm still learning how to play this song. And much of my style and feel comes from his playing style. Cliffs of dover, desert rose, forty mile town, etc, but I only kept my guitar playing as a hobby and fun never took myself seriously 🤗

[@Esrom_music]

Same same... Except 11 and 38

[@williamsporing1500]

He’s the tone master….and an amazing player

[@_Suzuka_Joe]

whatever he did it was with an ES335 for Cliffs of Dover

[@WalkenDead]

@@_Suzuka_Joe Really? I did not know that. Thanks for the info

[@jean-philippejason6537]

I saw Eric Johnson in a small club in Belgium. Show was fantastic. Afterwards I asked him to sign my Eric Johnson guitar. I didn't know what to expect : I had read in a Satriani interview that "he was difficult to work with"... Guy was charming and gave a lot of attention to make a super clean and nice signature on the headstock!!! THANKS MR Johnson!

[@mr.fisher3973]

If there was ever a trap to be stuck in I say Eric Johnson is a great one to get caught in.

[@SebastianMehenka]

Came here to say I’d rather be caught in the EJ trap than any other trap

[@guskalogeros9021]

Agreed!! Lol

[@jazzram_]

Yes lol

[@kingofkingsVAR]

Lmao fr

[@0xfded]

I hope to one day be able to fall into the Eric Johnson trap....

[@wesleyalan9179]

Lol

[@Stevo_Drums]

Hilarious 😂

[@wesleyalan9179]

@@Stevo_Drums haha, yeah! I literally lol'd earlier when I saw that comment

[@voronOsphere]

I hear ya! I'm hoping to fall in, fall out, and then fall back in, again!

[@wesleyalan9179]

@@voronOsphere haha...that happens a lot, doesn't it?! 😁

[@ddrumdude]

In all honesty I always found that his piano style chords were the facet of his playing that I fell in love with, as opposed to his shredding.

[@teacuppermike2568]

Seriously! His chord voicings are stellar.

[@SebastianMehenka]

The funny part about your comment to me is that the guy didn’t shred; he just actually picked almost every note that fast!

[@mikekratochwill4195]

Me too... though his pentatonic pyrotechnics are impressive, his clean sound and chord voicings are wonderful.

[@sammybeck7794]

I've been in Eric Johnson fan for so long time. I was working at a pawn shop in Austin Texas in the mid-90s at the time that Ah Via Musicon was released. He walked in with the guy that wrote Desert Rose and I was so Starstruck. I practically ran to him so I could wait on him before anybody else got to him. He came in looking for a portable keyboard which he found and I sold to him. I also got his autograph. Yeah, he's Austin's own

[@CargoShorts7]

I feel the same way about the SRV trap. I used to be completely obsessed with SRV style playing, but then I noticed that what seemed like every other guitarist out there was also trying to mimic his playing. Then at a certain point, I had to deliberately move away from that style in an effort to not sound like everyone else or another SRV clone. Although I still love his playing and find nothing wrong with borrowing some cool stuff from him or other legends. Cheers!

[@allthingsclassicrock]

I feel like I wrote this! I had the exact same experience. I have intentionally gone out of my way to not play like SRV. It took about a year to get the licks and tendencies out of my system but I’m a more diverse player for it.

[@temp289]

I’m 79 and long retired. But really appreciate when a musician truly knows what he/she is doing and is capable of clearly explaining and teaching whatever the artist is bringing across. This is so very well done. The point about the picking is right on well. Excellent video. Thank you.

[@manuedwards6959]

His chord voicings, song structure, melodic sense, and phrasing is otherworldly.

[@jacksolomon451]

This is so me only it's the Lil Wayne guitar solo trap

[@joewalsh8217]

Oh then you are golden, I think that’s called shredding

[@gloriousforever3451]

Joe Walsh tasteful licks too

[@jazzram_]

Lol

[@ChrisSamuel1729]

What a clever way to get us to fall into the newly expanded and redecorated Eric Johnson trap.

[@tossedpenny]

I would sit on Eric's lap reading a map searching for the trap so I could finally play Zap because right now it's sounding like crap. Thank you, I'll show myself out now.

[@disco4535]

What a great teacher! I'm an absolutely terrible player and Robert made this lesson crystal clear.

[@SortaDopeIGuess]

Good stuff and creative phrasing piggybacking off what you learned from EJ.

[@kyle9maloney]

I’ve just started nailing this lick at speed and he’s right .... it’s amazingly cool

[@bldallas]

Video saved, in case I ever miraculously fall into the “Eric Johnson Trap.” Not likely, given my age and ability. That said, I think the effects add a lot to the sound of Eric Johnson’s playing. You have definitely got that part nailed, too; I’d describe it was a wet / clean sound. Well done.

[@gilbertfalling493]

I met Eric in a club in 1986. I made fun of him. He got on stage. I left apologetic and ashamed. Sorry again Eric. My bad. GO YANKEES!

[@tiki_trash]

What did you say to him?

[@gilbertfalling493]

@@tiki_trash I just busted his balls about how small he was and mocked his gear. Great huh? I was 17.

[@tiki_trash]

@@gilbertfalling493 LOL!

[@nocturnalmadness9517]

@@gilbertfalling493 We all did things at that age that we regret. Look at it this way: you learned from it, and he might have a story that he tells be about a 17 year-old kid in a club. It doesn't matter much. It's how you treat people now that matters.

[@gilbertfalling493]

@@nocturnalmadness9517 Oh I learned. Thank you for getting it. Stay kind. GO YANKEES!

[@lukekern7444]

"It's a trap!" Admiral Ackbar - 1983

[@johnlannikk2701]

I never worry about ripping off licks, its how it all works, how we all get inspired, started since way way back

[@jacobmcvay123]

Well I wasn’t in the trap but following your guide of fret n string I already learned a little riff of his I never knew! Thanks! Took me 2 mins. I am a quick learner though.

[@patrickgambill9326]

Man. I just came back to your channel again after a while. I can't believe you are at 330k subs now. I remember back when you had 8k. Thanks for all the years of awesome content!

[@RikJSmith]

Hi Robert. I hope everything is going great with you. Ok , I've been watching some of your Lesson Videos for over a year now. I'm not sure why , but this is the Video that proves that you're a Badass Guitarist. 🎸. Maybe because I've never learned anything by E. C. Maybe it's the way you put this lesson together. Either way , I'm now a life long Subscriber. That might not mean a lot because I'm over 50. LoL. You have great skills and sense of humor. Cheers. 🎸

[@seanbarker4610]

You could switch it, by playing 5 then 3, then5 then3 to put it in 8ths or 16th.

[@TruthGuitar]

That slight economy picking is what makes it roll. Good stuff. I like this trap though. 🤘Great stuff like always RoBak! You get 10 flames and an all expenses paid vacation. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥✈🏖

[@charlesfitzgerald3201]

Love that strat , great video Thanks for the tips and lesson .

[@yaiz]

I fell into this trap a couple months ago and a couple of weeks ago kinda got out of it by adding the b5, b9, maj3rd and maj6th as spice notes and also add them to arpeggios a lot of times to make myself sound unique , hopefully that’s a good way to create my own kinda sound! Great video!!

[@LeStraTele]

Example 2 sounds more like Jeff Beck from the Wired album. Cool.

[@Jmdeclue]

I am so confused. I fell into a trap too but it was a little different, it was after Ah Via Musicom was released and it was the Tone Trap. I decided it was his fingers AND gear. Then his Hot Licks VHS video came out, I still have it ready to go once I get the right sound, anyway, that sent me down a path and needless to say I had to get really serious about things to buy the equipment to go along with that VHS tape. 30 years later, a closet of effects, a room of amps, a collection of Fenders, George L cables of varying lengths and thousands of various 9v batteries pre used in different radios from the 70’s later and I am almost there. I just need one one more effect and I should have it and then I will be ready to learn how to play these guitars, I may even start with this lick! Can’t wait to fire up the Eric Johnson VHS lesson and tune up along side the man himself and get down to playing Cliffs of Dover. On a more serious note, that Tone makes everything sound like Eric Johnson even after you change up those licks. That tone is just so identifiably Eric.

[@Gin132456]

80's improvised rock riffs fit into this thinking quiet well

[@adrianr2312]

Great vid! Getting the picking to sound clean has always been difficult but is so crucial. Eric Johnson is a truly a god!

[@gbsavg666]

Don't fall into the cliffs of dover trap

[@jazzram_]

Im trying to fall in for purpose

[@brunocavara3157]

I would really like to see a video about that orange Danelectro (6 string one)

[@voronOsphere]

Same here!

[@geschickt]

Of course, one can get into "a trap" of any given guitarist they get deep enough into! Page, Van Halen, jazz players...you name it. The trick is "making it your own" (so to speak). Which is to say, to the extent one cops/regurgitates their licks verbatim, that's an explicit reference, right? ;) So the real trick is varying those licks in one's own way. RB does a great job here of illustrating how to do this! That said, even a consummate player like Joe Bonamossa can have "trouble" with this--he does a great job of integrating it with his own style--but it still totally grabs my ear when I hear him peal off a very Eric Johnson-type move!

[@traceybaker1750]

Love how you changed the licks. Awesome. Will follow you from now on!

[@voronOsphere]

Great Lesson, Robert! I can't wait to work 'em all in! Thanks!

[@yjmsrv]

This is really good and different then the way I learned it- for me it was five notes down, then starting at the next note down in the sequence- instead of just on the next string down. This is MUCH easier and comes out more fluid sounding. Great lesson. I'll drive everyone crazy at my next jam by playing it too much!

[@geraldlocklear4373]

Does anyone else think this sounds like Peter Frampton when slowed down?

[@therangersinger]

Robert, a year ago you posted a video about how just by closing up your picking hand you were able to pick faster. Compared to having your fingers in a more open relaxed position. Apparently you haven't stuck to your lesson. I watch your picking hand every video. You reverted right back to it shortly after that lesson 😂😂😂😂😂. Just busting your balls man. We are all cratures of habit. I was born and raised just outside of Youngstown Ohio. I live in Georgia after leaving the military. I miss the summers in ohio but def not the winter's. Thanks for always making videos worth watching

[@Isaiah_McIntosh]

It's mostly whatever is comfortable for the individual once you're not too tense. I mean rick Graham is open and Jason Richardson is closed. Regardless of what one might think of their music the dudes know what works in the technical aspect of guitar.

[@grantthepilgrim]

This is a great tutorial Rob, really useful.Thanks mate!

[@skyemoz6559]

Great lesson. Had a lot of fun today working on this. Thanks 🙏

[@noahmichael2213]

"EJ Lick Trap" probably isn't what i'd title the PDF haha, but I can already tell this is going to be a great lesson just trying it for five minutes. Thanks, I love stuff like this. Very helpful!

[@LewisShieldsUS]

Wonderful, thank you! Good work to do. Acquisition is the real trap; "...while visions of CS 63's dance in their heads." Yarp.

[@infinity-1834]

Excellent lesson. Thank you.

[@joeyskar]

It's a trap!!! The only trap I'd say he has is not knowing anything he's written outside of Cliffs of Dover.

[@omniscient420]

SRV is such a fantastic jam.

[@jamesslossar3865]

@@omniscient420 so is east wes, trademark, gem, manhattan, soulful terrain.... the list could go on.

[@omniscient420]

@@jamesslossar3865 Manhattan is definitely up there as well. So many great song.

[@ocdchaos5580]

Song for George on acoustic is pretty cool

[@brandonhensley4335]

@@jamesslossar3865 Aside from Cliffs, Trademark is my absolute favorite. His newer song Strategem is also fantastic.

[@fredericadda]

Crystal-clear explanations, thanks Robert! But ... I also want to learn this insane little lick at 5:24 !!

[@Pandamasque]

I wonder if Eric Johnson initially picked up this lick idea from McLaughlin.

[@teacuppermike2568]

Eric has mentioned McLaughlin as an influence, so it’s most likely. Inner Mounting Flame is still in rotation in my collection. John is a beast!

[@TraneFrancks]

"Mini-sweeps" = Economy picking, no?

[@omarcapaso7156]

Yeah

[@FrankFurther]

Learnt the intro tp cliffs of docer up to the main 14-12-14 riff yesterday. As long as you have decent right hand control its not nearly as hard as you may think. Took a couple of hours to commit to memory

[@markpell8979]

Interesting, Eric makes everyone want to play better or differently. Saw his Rick B. interview, nice humble guy, likes a simple amp and effect tone.

[@JazzStrat781]

Great lesson, always loving your Strat! Best to u and yours

[@Dudeitsbrian]

I have had an EJ strat for about 3 years, marvelous instrument, and I barely just got around to learning his secreta

[@Thesodaisinfactblue2]

Hey I’m at school watching this. I never miss your uploads dude!

[@abeharris9938]

Hey Rob!! love the content. thank you so much for making these videos. they always make me want to pick up my guitar. I finally got a tele ( not my dream tele but at least an American Special with texas special pups ). i wanted to say i really really REALLY love these ideas for the rolling 5s. example 2 is absolutely awesome and is also absolutely Lydian. Its like Steve Vai put his own twist on Eric Johnson's lick. SWEET!!!!

[@evilleffen]

I feel personally attacked by this video lol. As soon as I could play some EJ licks I fell in the trap

[@trevorclark7985]

cool! i feel like i always play that first lick too much since i learned it

[@yamahawsome9335]

Feel that way with the EVH trap

[@billybudd45]

Doug rappoport did an excellent break down of this lick,

[@runningshadow57]

Hey Robert ! Great Lesson - next time you watch the movie The Fifth Element you 'll hear your first variation lick used for one of the background themes - your guitar tone even matches the sound of the riff used in the movie ! Pretty cool !

[@ricstormwolf]

From what I've heard, the "mini sweeps" technique is just basically called economy picking. And to me it makes perfect sense.

[@Chino196]

Also sounds like Dann Huff from Giant

[@greattunesking1]

Robert Bocchino. I agree completely. Do I feel bad for the people here that love E.J. and have not heard one CD by Giant. They started in 1987. David and Dan Huff are master guitar players. If you don't want to buy their albums simply go to KZbin and get hooked. They had 5 studio albums. They had one Live album called Live and Acoustic with is an official Bootleg. The first 5 Studio albums from 1989 until 2022 are complete and total masterpieces in my personal opinion.

[@GuyNarnarian]

I think getting used to the picking style is the key for this one. Its how he makes it sound seamless and effortless. I'll definitely be referencing this video in slow-mo in the future. Also, you nailed the EJ tone - sounds like a lot of reverb and maybe a rolled back fuzz or some other kind of distortion?

[@deanmccaskill5495]

Hey you did that Major 3rd thing I’m always pestering u about! Awesome

[@kerrykile3490]

Excellent lesson

[@drewbarries]

I wish I could make it to the trap first, no but seriously that was cool, thanks!

[@landguitar]

I can't play that fast, but this was fun! Thanks Robert!

[@luclou8636]

More of this , hope really very soon !

[@gben2457]

When I was playing bars and night clubs, I probably played in modes I still don't understand...we called it blowing notes. We were jamming as many notes as possible into each bar. Funny part is, most listeners thought we were good players. Makes me laugh when I think about it.

[@Kyrelel]

So, it's a Marty Friedman 5's lick with the difficult parts left out ;p

[@calebsj]

and I really love the switched minor 3rd thanks for that!

[@bluesrockguitaristmikesall2708]

If Eric is a Trapper,why doesn't he wear "Grizzly Adams" clothes,instead of Izod shirts?

[@Xero6969]

Its midnight here and was about to sleep but i guess one more video!!!

[@dankay7982]

I was about to finish up work and go home. Guess I'll stay for 15 minutes longer today...

[@GMec78]

Thank you. You should also do a video on how to buy a vintage guitar(cranky pots and all)

[@Watergrovey]

Joe Bonamassa has made a career out of living in this trap. I like Joe and I’m not putting him down.

[@Darthsmoothie]

I love all of these, but that last one is really the kind of out of the box way I'm trying to think now

[@rodiebobwilliams1330]

Ive been there since 1981.. I dont want saving! Lol

[@gordontubbs]

I was able to escape the EJ trap by refusing to play 5 notes across 3 strings. Now if I'm doing some sort of EJ lick, it's 5 notes across 2 strings. Example: E 17-15-12 B 15-12

[@teacuppermike2568]

Funny, I often play phrases of 5 notes the same way, and incorporate slides in addition. I didn’t do it to escape the style so much, but as a way that was more comfortable to me.

[@paulparadis2171]

Another great and helpful video!

[@benpowersguitar]

Great lesson man.

[@Anton_the_Vampire]

I'm just finding myself getting back into Eric Johnson after many years listening to other people. I wonder if you've ever done a video on your set up to get the tone that you do? It sounds lovely.

[@josephvega3763]

Seriously ever since I learned that lick I can't stop playing it

[@jeramym9506]

Great lesson 👍

[@khaldrogo8315]

this is really a big help man thank you ao much

[@simonpilgrims]

Great video. Keep them coming :). Thanks

[@BoomerBends]

Better than falling into the CC Deville trap....eh...if there is such a thing.

[@OgamiItto70]

That's where the hairspray, Aquanet and cocaine form this unholy synergistic reaction to the fake tan and Lycra Spandex chemicals and cause your hair to bleach itself and your hearing to be damaged to the point where you can't hear how bad your own tone and playing is. If that ever happens to you, you'll probably have to give up music altogether. And become a drummer.

[@hakankillberg6043]

Great video, thanks. What a nice lick you played in the end. What was that? Please show us more in detail. So cool, best ever

[@tjs43773]

It would be great if you could put the picking strokes (up or down) in the tabs! Thanks, awesome licks!!!

[@DavidOnTheRoadGuitars]

Sadly my finger is not flexible and can't roll, and I found this out by watching Eric Johnson's lesson videos when I was a kid and I thought DUDE it's physically impossible for me. 😳 But I didn't let it stop me from trying and working around it.

[@andrewbroughton65]

Dude..You sound like Jack Black when You talk..great playing btw.

[@Stevo_Drums]

You’re the coolest guitarist on KZbin. Sam’s pretty cool too. OK, you and Coulson are the two coolest.

[@kazkylheku1221]

I'm not very familiar with Johnson at all. I mean, I can name the Cliffs of Dover tune from way back when, but I never went into how he plays guitar. Now this descending pentatonic lick. OMG, there is a simple way to play it using stretch pentatonics. That's why when I hear it, I'm thinking, is it stretch? There is basically a pattern you execute using three notes per string, and move down the strings. That's it. If your fingers are 1 2 3 (2 could be your ring or middle finger), it's just 2 1 3 2 1 -> 2 1 3 2 1 -> 2 1 3 2 1. -> means moving to next string down, and 1 2 3 cover the correct three notes of the stretch pentatonic box. If you can legato some of it, it can probably be rehearsed to be lightning fast. I'm going to skip the original and practice only the stretch penta version.

[@settratheimperishable4093]

I heard that David Lee Roth scream at 0:50

[@wesleyalan9179]

Great content, man! Thanks!🤟

[@metricdeep8856]

I've fallen into the Rob Baker Trap....Maybe I can wriggle free and fall into Eric Johnson's.

[@paulcowart3174]

Couldn't think of a better so called trap to fall into If your smart you learn adapt and prevail Just do them backwards lol and leave a few notes out 😬

[@jamesprice6381]

Nice strat Robert....

[@PowerChorrd]

Nice lesson. Now do all those in ascending.

[@gregvaneekhout]

Hope it's okay to seek some gear advice here. Lifelong metal fan, I play a little guitar, but just started learning to play metal (thanks, Robert!) and am considering spending maybe a few hundred bucks to make my gear more metal appropriate. Currently I have an Epiphone Sheraton ii (semi-hollow, two humbuckers), a Fender Frontman practice amp, and a BOSS SD1. Without switching out my entire rig, what should I prioritize? Getting a more modern amp, like maybe a Katana 50? Some different pedals, like a Metal Core or a Skyline Djent? Maybe a budget shredder like an Ibanez Gio or Jackson JS22?

[@rogercollins7798]

That tone is wicked. Could you please give me, or do a short video on how to get, that tone.

[@michaelhayden9647]

More of these pls !

[@rvnlvr0599]

That is one of the most beautiful strats I’ve ever seen! I love that dark chocolate rosewood, the mint green guard, and that is the perfect off white. Sounds great too