Trying To Learn Cliffs Of Dover

🔥 Head to squarespace.co... to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code SOPHIEBURRELL
🎸 My Ultimate Beginners Guitar Course :: link.musicisum....
🖤 Support me on Patreon :: bit.ly/3gnyFTv
✨ My merchandise :: www.sophieburr...
Instagram :: bit.ly/3jbdLc1
Facebook :: bit.ly/2YOjKMv
TikTok :: bit.ly/3lP7h4I
⬇️ Affiliate Links :
🎼 Try GuitarPro : www.guitar-pro...
▶ What I use to make videos : amzn.to/2Efg7YT
% Distrokid Sign Up Discount : bit.ly/2FVQxbL
💀 Code SOPHIE20 for 20% off at Gthic Jewellery :: gthic.com?aff=218
🎛️ Code SOPHIE20AP for 20% off at All Pedal :: all-pedal.com/
🥀 $25 gift card for Etah Love :: etahlove.com/p...
🎶 Code SOPHIE15 for 15% discount at Donner :: bit.ly/3dGRaDU
💌 Contact : [e-mail]
S x
This video was sponsored by Squarespace
#EricJohnson #CliffsOfDover

[@SophieBurrell]

Hey everyone! I hope you enjoy the video. That last lick will be the death of me honestly hahaha. What would you like me to learn on camera next? 😁🎸

[@VPandov]

Sweet!! Please do eruption please please PLEASE 😎 🤞

[@stuartrawson5057]

Eruption please🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@Mr.CJohnson]

Fred Bear by Uncle Ted (Nugent of course)

[@hansyander2423]

Your videos are always entertaining, You really are a great guitarist. What about 'Still got the blues' or 'Pride and joy' (Solos) for the next video of the serie. Sorry about my english, greetings from Mexico!

[@privettk]

Always a dangerous question, inevitably someone says Fire and Flames 😂

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Let me know how it goes. I've been "working" on this song for decades now.

[@Krullmatic]

Mike! Nice to see you on here!

[@Jasonadventures]

I played with my ear when I was young I will try again Today 🙏

[@chrisking6695]

And that's the reason why I didn't select you as my guitar teacher.

[@6NZTrucking]

@@chrisking6695 unnecessary comment, he is a great guitarist and you are only hurting yourself in the future by not learning from someone skilled.

[@kevo3985]

@@chrisking6695 edgy boy

[@DamianS1893]

This is how I learn to play songs... Especially back before The Internet. I can appreciate the struggle. This is great ear training.

[@BrandonDeon]

The intro and the last few lines are the hardest. It's pretty sweet because you get to the end of the song and then fook up the outro and have to go back to the start and re-record. Fun times. Waiting on yours, Burrell

[@yusufallie3089]

Your guitars tone is so warm, one of the best tones I’ve ever heard

[@DavidDiMuzio]

Man, your timing is excellent. Great feel, especially for a difficult song like this that you just learned.

[@noahtweedy6124]

As someone who’s tried to learn this before the fact you did that well in an hour and a half is unbelievably impressive. Insane.

[@NickNapoli]

Cliffs over Dover is such a great riff. Eric Johnson was such an underrated guitarist.

[@helenasanroque3793]

So true !!!!

[@NickNapoli]

@MAIN well since Cliffs over Dover was released in 1990 let’s see who was “popular” back then….Eddie Van Halen, Slash, George Lynch, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Angus Young, Kirk Hammett, Steve Vai and Yngwie Malmsteen so yeah he’s underrated when compared to those guys.

[@RichardSmallwood-du9qb]

Hi Sophie, at 75 I've just bought my first electric guitar! Heeeelp!!! Love your skills!

[@SausageDawg]

probs not best song to learn on ur first guitar haha itlll take months to master it

[@ICee712]

@@SausageDawg months?!?! He doesn't have that long!

[@ricomajestic]

@@SausageDawg It takes years to master especially if you are just a beginner!

[@heywhotsgoinon8286]

Learning one of the worlds greatest electric guitar players music, is never going to be easy. That's why Eric is one of the best in the world.

[@MrJesus666]

Insane skills. Could be way too niche, but the solo from “Drive home - Steven Wilson” is an insane solo full of passion. I reckon you’d smash it

[@andrewbendahan1379]

Amazing seeing your playing by ear skills!

[@martymcmannis6581]

Don't beat yourself up. It's a great piece of work. Had a teacher said "it's 90 % remembering and 10% talent. He made me sick, but he was and is that good. Thanks miss and Nick Greathouse. You folks rock

[@AngelVivaldi]

Damn, you really did a great job with this!

[@ChrisJones-nt1sy]

Slowing it down like that gives it a cool and smooth bluesy lick, nice work Sophie!

[@Metaljesuslol]

This is awesome. I love how your showing the process. making it funny and fun. And ALOT of people who wanna get into guitar i think who are just listeners, and they dont really understand the process of sitting there for HOURS playing somthing over and over and over intill you got it. To a listener its magic because they didnt see the person do the work. Then you get the people who say "Its was a gift!" and believe it to be true. It was not a gift, It was not just given. it was achieved. I love this content.

[@Art-zs6sl]

Man that last lick is just so good!

[@johnmcminn9455]

the final result I saw already, this explains why you seem to have the actual feel, because you looked at the riffs in many positions and approaches , thanks for the inspiration , I know a couple riffs from this tune but their are way easier EJ songs for me to attempt Thanks!

[@Frank-pe9pk]

I feel your pain. Years ago we had albums that we learned from. The turntable cartridges sure took a beating.

[@jaminpartanen9058]

That’s still absolutely insane how close it sounds. It would take me months to get half of that even

[@BMR86]

Hi Sophie, I know you think this is something we are generally not interested in seeing but.... please have it be known this is very entertaining, I don't know if it is because I myself am a hobbyist musician and I enjoy seeing how other musicians learn songs and kind of feel myself reflected like "ah! it's very humbling seeing others the way I at times sit down and try to learn music myself!" I don't know what other words to put to describe it but I think these are fun videos to make. anyway I enjoyed it and was smiling the whole time. I'm pretty sure every Eric Johnson fan has this song as their number one but I am no different, it's such a joy this song so magical so filled with awesomeness

[@BMR86]

specially because I do not know how to sight read so I have to rely on my ear, it's been like that for me for the past 20 years since I picked up a bass guitar for the first time so I feel you! and I'm not even a guitar player!

[@Srvtecej]

Impressive! As someone who has struggled for years trying to get chunks of that song down, watching someone more talented pick it apart was very helpful. Nice editing as well.

[@MrConeman]

This is refreshing, it looks exactly like when I learn a song. The "I forgot what I just did". I felt that.

[@williamsoule4905]

watching this made my day not because of your struggle but because of your no giving up mentality awesome young lady keep jamming God bless cant tell you how many times i gave up lol still never could get it some humans are gods

[@guypolson]

First time I saw Eric Johnson was on Austin City Limits, totally amazed me. One of my favorites.

[@jamiesmith47]

You absolutely rock, and I love your funny comments through this. Awesome work. Love this song

[@ATX0705]

Don't ever feel bad for using a tab, it simply saves time. If somebody has already done the work on the transcription, use it. You'll sometimes of course have to make your own modifications to the tab for fingering purposes, or to correct mistakes you might find. There's a great tab for this already out there, which again saves alot of time. I know people say "ear training" etc, eh blah blah blah. Also, use the software called "Transcribe" to slow the song down if needed. I understand that KZbin has a slow down feature as well so that's good. I will say if there doesn't exist a transcription for certain songs you will have to work it out on your own, which the aforementioned software really comes in handy. You'll never get a song absolutely perfect without the original composer helping you to edit mistakes and showing you exactly how he played it. Even the best guitar transcribers in the world sometimes need the editing of the original composer to get everything 100%

[@xsk8r91x]

Took me hours to get the first bit of the intro down.. played it back and realized that got me 15 seconds into the song 😅 kudos for this choice. EJ made this one tricky. Goes in and out of comfortable pentatonics and lots of time signature and tempo changes.. hard to even use a metronome to play along with.. your tone is awesome btw

[@xsk8r91x]

The descending run at the very beginning when it shifts to the index finger on the 4th fret is so hard not to lose timing

[@monaural2.988]

Things like this are so important for us to see, Sophie. Some of us just sigh, unplug our wretched axes and go watch tv. And that’s just trying to play scales straight! Hugs to you for this.

[@petesandoval4812]

First of all, excellent job!! It really didn't take you very long to "re-learn" it. You rocked it!! Many years ago I learned it from the tab and with the help of a great teacher. In some ways, the intro is actually the hardest because it is not only so iconic but as you said, it is in free time so it is harder to nail. I never got it up to speed but man was it fun to try. The rest of the song is easier compared to the intro. Still a hard tune to get but learning the whole thing took my playing to a whole new level. I still mess around with it as exercises especially the main theme and the intro. The rest of the song is in time so you can use a metronome to work on it. The main theme is really fun once you get it. I hope you decide to do a cover once you get it. The two things that made it click for me were his use of wide spread arpeggios on the ascending bits and the descending mix of 4's, 5's and 6's (with some triplets mixed in) changing positions as he descends. They are mostly pentatonic with some passing tones or unique chordal transitional notes as he goes. This is signature Eric Johnson style stuff. I never mastered the song but went back many times to give myself a workout and test my chops. I also one day hope to be able to master the cascading descending licks and roll them into my solos. Hope you show us the rest of the song sometime soon. Keep rocking!! Love the channel!

[@danielsgrunge]

I love your tone, it sounds so good and dynamic with the volume

[@GuitarTabsDaily]

Great video! Love seeing the process, not just the final product. I think more beginner and intermediate guitarist need to see videos like this. Amazing as always and much love 🙏♥️🙌🎸

[@meteach1]

I worked with Eric Johnson at a gig in 1990! What a great guy and an amazing performer!!! Good luck on a most difficult song!!! Watch the live video!!!

[@EmmyGuitar]

Absolutely nailed it Sophie!! Your phrasing and tone are both incredible! 🙌

[@panicandfreakout-]

Your one of the best out there! Really dig your feel and warmth. Try doing some Jeff Beck he's so unique. Paints with a whole different palate.

[@rich1576]

Total respect. I think you did an amazing attempt. I saw Eric in concert at Birmingham and he played Cliffs of Dover. One of my all time faves and absolutely mind blowing how he plays it, with so much ease.

[@OutroBusan]

as a BEGINNER guitarist, the way you make playing look so easy while my fingers seem to have a mind of their own is crazy 😭

[@TheLemonKiller]

Well, unless you're doing things slowly making sure you got them super good before speeding up That's probably part of the problem

[@mike48931]

Keep playing, practice basic scales and chord changes. Your finger dexterity and speed will improve before you know it. I also put down my guitar for a few weeks after playing almost non stop for six months. I was shocked by how easy it all came back to me and that I actually had improved, so I think it’s important to take breaks too.

[@rijosigns]

awesome job been playing for 30 years this is a hard song to play well done. i am still worrking on this one ty.

[@Gearhart_Music]

Eric Johnson is a very unique individual on guitar. Cliffs of Dover is very challenging to play and his actual technique is mind blowing. The rest of is are lucky to get even remotely close to what he played. You did great here. Well done.

[@shingabiss]

It is just about the most difficult piece to master, been working on it forever lol. Eric's using a Jazz 3 pick I believe and slants it to play more the edge of the pick which sort of skims the string both making a smoother transition over strings and gives the series of notes a connected legato sound. He also uses an upsweep picking motion in some cases. People in my Facebook Guitar group Player's Advice Exchange would have much more to articulate about it, many much better than me and more intricately familiar with all the nuances.

[@jpizzleforizzle]

Definitely pick slant. Troy Grady has an excellent video series on this. I believe Eric calls it "the bounce", that smooth feeling when moving from string to string with pick slant.

[@1alb]

He also picks rather loosely and softly with a lot of gain on his amp.

[@pacohack85]

I very much appreciate all your hard work on this! You are so smooth you make it seem effortless although I feel the the tension that goes into doing this. I’m the old days I used to turn the record player down to 16 Fromm 33 and keep picking up the needle and dropping it back. Although it was in a different key you could get the jist of it. Cliffs of Dover is so much more over the top than the lead to Zeps Rock n Roll or I’m Going Home. You were definitely born to be a guitarist. Keep up the good work very inspiring God Bless take care of those hands!

[@BuzzsawBrent]

You are so freakin talented! It was a pleasure watching your method of learning such a difficult piece.❤

[@davidrockey7190]

I love how you put that out there girl I love how you put that out there and you have shown progress be proud 🗿

[@sylwesterolczak9069]

Dobry sposób na zachęcanie ludzi zdolnych do gry na gitarze. Brawo za tak ciekawie wykonywaną pracę i cały wkład w nią.GRATULACJE.❤

[@LysanderLH]

Hey Sophie. In the 70s and 80s, even when CDs had arrived in the mid 80s, many albums were not available on Cd and so we used vinyl records to learn from. I became a master of finding the exact point at which I needed to place the needle to find the solo or even a part of the solo. Maybe try it and see what happens?

[@TheMirrorify]

I was chuffed when I learnt the main chorus melody 😂 but the intro is on another level. You did an insanely good job.

[@jasonwalsh7921]

Hi Sophie, Fantastic to watch you work through this classic and to see the process in action.. this opening lick is such an epic for me and along with other classics of “widely guitar” such as the lick to “green tinted 60’s mind” are just so epic & iconic and dam tricky to do right… great work 🎸🤘🏼😎

[@rudiyantohalim736]

"Every guitar player should have learn it" That's so true ❤

[@andrewbendahan1379]

Yesss!!! I knew it would be Cliffs of Dover!

[@eoinjames4018]

So refreshing to see a video of a musician learning a song through sheer talent kudos to you.. I also feel that this is always a great way to learn and find your own licks and ideas along the way

[@stevepickett102]

I'd love to see you do the main guitar solo to Rush - La Villa Strangiato.

[@averydallaire3458]

This! And the Exit Stage Left version where he goes off at the end

[@tasosdiaforetico7377]

It's simple if your ok with I and m. Rh fingering a la flamenco , checkout sabicas now that's hard

[@seanantley1965]

Discovered you from the newest issue of Guitar World, congrats on that by the way!!!Enjoying your channel very much!!! Especially the “Cliffs of Dover” vids!!! Love your tone and technique as well!!! Thank you for sharing this with the world!!!

[@BillLarkinmusic]

I've been learning this song for awhile, and i feel as if he's playing fast "clusters" of five notes; You play that intro way better than me anyway! Rock on!

[@Slash1066]

The hours I have spent doing this with songs I love! You start to doubt your own sanity after a while and nothing sounds right!

[@wilmer33086]

You won my subscription!!!! You’re really good!!!! I got to do what you do, play by ear more and different songs to get outta my comfort zone. 👏👏👏👏

[@bighouse1695]

You rocked that! Very difficult to play because a lot of it doesn’t follow basic structure. Great song choice to try and I definitely would like to see more of these type of videos

[@Foerhan_of_Dakath]

This gave me the motivation to try to learn Cliffs of Dover’s intro (AGAIN)… Thanks Sophie for ruining my week end, I’ll think about you during my pentatonic struggles😂

[@jaricklosey4607]

Great series! I lasted about 15 minutes trying to figure out the first six seconds and my head is swimming. Respect for grinding on it for two hours!

[@TheDeadman419]

trust me, no one sounds like Eric Johnson, even guys like me who copy him. Took me an entire year to learn this song, and it was so hard I couldn't get a take that didn't have at least one sour note in it. The amount of progress you made in just this video is incredible, and I hope you go on to learn the whole song. I have a feeling you'd kill it harder than I can in a shorter amount of time.

[@jooseman420]

Yes, she should do the whole song!!! Elite Level will be achieved.

[@DizzyRecIrl]

awesome Sophie.. great playing, great video

[@perrymills6261]

I'm so enjoying your process and humble conundrum when dealing with copying such a wide spectrum of Idiosyncratic players. I have done many tribute performances and have spent hours and hours doing just what you have shared with us. Your technical ability is so impressive, and I love your humble and lovable manner. Please tickle us more with these sweet and very musical shorts. Hope to meet your on the road some day.

[@jimr199]

You are an amazing guitar player. Always look forward to new music from you. 😍🎶🎸💖💘

[@CoreyMotionless]

Great Video Sophie.

[@nemonemo6285]

That's unusual !! I saw your performance of this tune and enjoyed, so I was looking for a lesson. You don't normally see a musician working a tune out. I suppose you're just like the rest of us, only better than me!! Keep it up, sky's the limit for you and enjoy every minute of your journey. Cheers

[@StealthParrot]

You are amazing Sophie! I have tried and abandoned this song so many times over the years. It's a beast of a song ... well above my abilities.

[@TheRealBrotherGrimmy]

This was a fucking genuine pleasure to watch. Actually watching someone else do what I (I haven't played regularly for a couple years at this point though) though I guess not completely. I used to learn songs partly by tab. Back in the mid 00's we didn't have the best of tabs, so I would sit there constantly pausing and rewinding the song every 5 seconds. I'm not a great guitarist. Hell, I feel like I'd be overstating it to say I'm even good. I can't solo. I've tried. My fingers just can't move as fast as they need to, and my brain can't handle THAT much stimulation at once adhd sucks in that regard. I'm ok. I taught myself the rhythm guitar to a fuckton of a7x songs, more notably beast and the harlot,, strength of the world (holy fuck this was the most fun to learn), and afterlife. But watching someone else do that... and inarguably a million times better than I could even trying... its nice. I enjoy that process. It makes it feel more rewarding when you DO figure it out, and even better when you find an alternative to playing what is being played. (I sometimes have an easier time playing the needed notes, on strings not originally used) This was an amazing watch! Thanks for putting something like this out

[@chimpsfall75]

Eric Johnson is crazy good!

[@darkcritter076]

Cliffs of Dover, one of my all time favorites! You did great Sophie!

[@DamianS1893]

You are awesome. I greatly appreciate you sharing the process and struggles.

[@Jamescreaney]

Cliffs of Square space

[@dean3338]

Awesome! I want to learn this song too, I am starting with the solo. If I made a video about learning it like you did it would be longer than all of the episodes of the Simpson’s combined. Old dog, new tricks kinda thing.

[@karacushman6354]

just came from watching your reel on insta and i loveddd being able to see the process. the fact you can play even THAT much of it WHOO!

[@garythomas4431]

I've been listening to Eric since the early 80s (Tones). Eric is very precise, fast, and has a particularly odd way of playing pentatonic scales with an few chromatic notes mixed in from his Electroharmonics fusion days.. Good job.. I love his style.

[@heavymetal116]

It's called cascading pentatonics. He often does this with 3 notes and 5 notes run.

[@TheMrMused]

Can we also talk about the sheer size of Eric's hands? Fairly sure he could palm a watermelon.

[@toobmaniac]

Gary Thomas That Electromagnets lol

[@garythomas4431]

@@toobmaniac I'm getting old.

[@bobschultz1159]

Sophie...similar memory slowing down a recording to hear and learn pieces using a reel to reel. Nice to see you employ a metronome in your process. Wonderful tool while working through a "bit". Enjoy your passion and it reflects in your playing. Thankyou..Manhatten is another great tune to play. Give that one a whirl.

[@chrisjude8794]

Absolutely amazing Sophie Respect respect respect,. And how you make the silver sky sing 🔥🔥🤘🎸💯🤠😎 Next time, a Plini section or Eruption 🙏🙏🙏👍

[@brandontadday6288]

Currently working through this myself. It’s a challenge to say the least. I’ve always wanted to learn to be able to play this since I first came across the song on Guitar Hero 3 when I was a 10 year old (also started playing guitar at around that age). I’m 25 now, no more excuses! Gonna set a goal to have the whole intro down up to speed by the end of September. Fingers crossed!

[@lesgibbs326]

Really enjoyed it Sophie you are very humble your playing on this elite piece was amazing I know we all strive to be as accurate as we can but even if the exercise teaches us new techniques I know I'm happy. Thank you for sharing the process 🙏

[@brucemcallester7154]

It’s a great guitar song, nice to hear you affirm that

[@ElMomo92]

I often learn songs by hear and found myself relating so much to you saying "something like that" in the beginning. Great vid!

[@skipneumann1]

Really enjoyed the video. Every hour spent on Eric Johnson is a joy! Cliffs keeps circling in my work-on-it list- has been for years! Many of us remember the 60's when we stacked quarters on the tone arm of the record player to slow down the speed; which also changed the pitch-ha! I also count the number of notes in a phrase like you do and create muscle memory by converting the feel of the sequence to fit a standard counting-- then add the feel back in when playing for real. I don't use headphones- have to give it a try... just amazing slow downer and neutral studio monitors. Best of luck with this series!

[@erichodnett4475]

Hey Sophie, you are kicking ass and taking names as always. Cover “The Wind that shakes the heart”! Haven’t heard a Tremonti style player do it yet!

[@61SGman]

Well worth all the effort, it sounds beautiful so far

[@calvinguzman4961]

Sophie Burrell, Just want to say you're awesome and enjoyable to watch those picking riff that you do i've been following you for a longtime now . Having to watch you jam on alot of rock music that you've done and you're my reason way i've been playing for this long now . you're my mentor and i've learned alot just watching you on different areas on the freat board again you're awesome Sophie Sweetie Peace out in paradise From Honolulu Hawaii Aloha......

[@Jarequis2]

This is awesome, one of my favorite songs! I would love to hear some steve vai stuff in the future. 🙂

[@Granyonky]

What a tone! Really diggin it!

[@CS-ru4xd]

Are you planning on doing a Series on this song? Because it would be really interesting seeing the different break-downs throughout the song up until completion. Great job Sophie...this was a cool vid!!

[@axdambient]

I've watched you for years. This is not easy and I've been here. My hand still hurts from trying and failing. Cheers 🍺

[@erniemorales9230]

Wow! That is a monster lick into that song.. You're awesome Sophie, well done!!💚

[@johnoneill919]

You are such an inspiration Sophie !

[@flowjesticmotion8253]

I love Eric Johnson and this song in particular. I've always wanted to learn it but never attempted. Watching you struggle and prevail was quite inspirational. Thank you for this video and all the best to you!

[@91wheelz]

That was INSANE. I wish I could learn and play on the level that you do!

[@robrhoten7193]

Nicely done Sophie!

[@silverwinterskies]

You are amazing Sophie, keep going and don't give up, btw, my Babci (my Polish Grandmother) was named Sophie, and she never gave up!! billy

[@chrisinfiesto835]

❤️ it! Glad it won the vote! 💯🔥🤙🏽😎

[@Crom64]

Eric Johnson is kind of a guitar legend. I couldn't even play this on guitar hero, so you are doing great. keep it up

[@davidoreilly7328]

I don’t know if I speak for all of us, but I find it somewhat reassuring to see that even professionals like Sophie struggle from time to time. Again don’t know if it’s just me who feels this way, but that’s just how I feel. Thanks a million for sharing this Sophie

[@vedder10]

You're not alone.

[@emirozdemir2037]

professional? doesn't seem so

[@kevliao]

@@emirozdemir2037 She does this for a living, has a body of high quality work, so that's "pro" to me. What's your definition of pro?

[@emirozdemir2037]

@@kevliao competent.

[@tepidlemming]

@@emirozdemir2037 is she not competent to you

[@naum391theallstargamer9]

Nice job Sophie! Keep up the good work, deserved to be one of the greatest electric guitarists on KZbin I've found... I hope you'll make a big career from your talent... 👏👏🎸🎶🎵

[@dougfaulkner6799]

Having seen Eric play this song many times i can say you are definately correct in saying its an elite song. You did exceptionally well for such a short span of time. Well done. By the way, the only guitarist i have ever heard play it almost perfectly was Steve Vai who said it was exquisite in its composition. Good times in the land of plenty back in Austin in the 80's.

[@2011mrviper]

i have had this eric johnson album for along time,love it. keep practicing cliffs of dover 😚

[@ammansyed]

This has always been one of my favs, can't wait to hear the whole thing 🙂