Classic Albums – Slowhand (Eric Clapton)

Slowhand: A Guitarists’ Perspective on Eric Clapton’s Masterpiece
Seen by many Eric Clapton fans as the album in which he truly found his musical voice, 1977’s Slowhand is a showcase of his most diverse playing; from bluesy rockers to tender ballads and country crossovers. As his 5th studio release, Clapton’s matured sense of tone, feel and phrasing are captured across some of his greatest ever recordings. This Classic Album course is a chance to truly learn some game changing guitar skills from the album which defined one of the greatest blues rock guitarists of all time.
“Slowhand,” the fifth studio album by Eric Clapton, is a testament to his exceptional guitar playing. It features a diverse range of musical styles and is a demonstration of Clapton’s prowess as a guitarist. As we dissect each track, we’ll focus on the essential guitar scales, solo analysis, and the overall contribution of the lead guitarist to the album.
In this Classic Album guitar course, Clapton super fan Danny Gill takes you through the guitar highlights of this exceptional album, from the famed ‘Cocaine’ to the radio hits ‘Lay Down Sally’ and ‘Wonderful Tonight’, not to mention the lightning fast licks of ‘The Core’ and more.

Guitar Lessons in this Course
Guitar Lesson 1: “Cocaine”
“Cocaine” opens in the key of E, utilising the E Mixolydian scale. It’s dominated by Clapton’s trademark bluesy bends, power chords, and captivating arpeggiated chord progressions. His lead breaks employ a clever mix of vibrato, slides, and an abundant use of double-stops, creating a rich tonal landscape.

Guitar Lesson 2: “Wonderful Tonight”
This love ballad is rendered in G Major. Clapton’s finger-picking on the clean, chorused guitar provides an arpeggiated foundation for the piece. His solos use scales in the relative minor key of E minor, exhibiting delicate string bending and vibrato that resonate with the heartfelt lyrics.

Guitar Lesson 3: “Lay Down Sally”
Characterised by a laid-back country feel, Clapton employs the A Major scale with a syncopated rhythm. A capo on the fifth fret transposes the open chords up, creating a brighter timbre. The guitar solo introduces chromaticism, coupled with alternate picking, sustaining an engaging contrast to the otherwise straightforward chord progression.

Guitar Lesson 4: “Next Time You See Her”
Clapton uses the D Major scale in this piece, spicing up the accompaniment with open string riffs and harmonics. The guitar solos are played over a modal interchange, introducing a minor feel that offers a moody twist to the song. It’s a testament to Clapton’s intelligent musicality.

Guitar Lesson 5: “We’re All the Way”
In this serene song, Clapton’s finger-picking gives a tranquil feel. The track is in the key of C, where he uses C Major scale, further enhanced by Travis picking and occasional pre-bends, creating a warm and soothing texture.

Guitar Lesson 6: “The Core”
“The Core” is a lively track in G Major with a strong emphasis on power chords and barre chords to drive the song forward. Clapton’s guitar solo showcases his use of legato, pull-offs, and a clever use of tapped harmonics, highlighting his technical proficiency.

Guitar Lesson 7: “May You Never”
This song, set in E Major, showcases Clapton’s finger-picking skills and his talent for syncopated rhythms, the guitar embellishments are primarily drawn from the E Major scale and are complemented by deft use of hammer-ons.

Guitar Lesson 8: “Mean Old Frisco”
“Mean Old Frisco” showcases Clapton’s blues roots. His playing in this track is in the key of C sharp minor, featuring a significant use of the minor pentatonic scale, unison bends, and slide techniques that add to the bluesy feel of the track.

Guitar Lesson 9: “Peaches and Diesel”
The album ends with an instrumental track in the key of A Major. Clapton’s use of sustain, legato, and a heavy emphasis on vibrato in the solos provide a fitting, emotive conclusion to the album.

Lead Guitarist: Eric Clapton
The lead guitarist of the album, Clapton, profoundly contributed to the album. Known for his expressive playing and the ability to communicate deep emotions through his solos, he masterfully varies his playing styles across the tracks. His trademark blues licks, tasteful bends, and melodic solos capture the attention of listeners and guitarists alike. Clapton’s unique contribution to “Slowhand” has undoubtedly placed it among the classic albums in rock history.

Guitar Techniques used in Slowhand
• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Double Stops
• Unison Bends
• Trills
• Chord Progressions
• Pull-offs
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Barre Chords
• Finger Picking
• Pre-Bends
• Hammer-ons
• Slides
• Sustain
• String Bending
• Syncopated Rhythms
• Open String Riffs
• Bluesy Bends