These 10 Clapton-style licks give you that smooth, classic blues sound he used with Cream and throughout his solo career. They’re short, punchy, and easy to plug into any A blues jam. Think slow bends, quick slides, and little repeats that make the phrases “talk.”
1. Classic Clapton Bend + Release
Simple and vocal. Clapton used this everywhere.
e|---------------------------|
B|-8b10--8-------------------|
G|-----------7---------------|
D|---------------------------|
A|---------------------------|
E|---------------------------|
2. Cream-Era Minor Pentatonic Hit
Short, strong, and right on the beat.
e|------------------------|
B|-8--8-------------------|
G|-------7--5-------------|
D|--------------7---------|
A|------------------------|
E|------------------------|
3. Sliding Up Into the Note
Clapton slides into notes instead of picking everything.
e|---------------------------|
B|-5/8--8--8-----------------|
G|--------------7------------|
D|---------------------------|
A|---------------------------|
E|---------------------------|
4. Major/Minor Mix (His Signature Move)
Minor pentatonic + major 3rd = Clapton all day.
e|---------------------------|
B|-8--5----------------------|
G|------5h6--5---------------|
D|---------------------------|
A|---------------------------|
E|---------------------------|
5. Cream-Style Turnaround Lick
Little descending run that works anywhere in a 12-bar blues.
e|----------------------------|
B|-----------------5----------|
G|-7--5-----------5-----------|
D|-------7--5-----------------|
A|-------------7--------------|
E|----------------------------|
6. Slow Bend Into Vibrato
Clapton’s vibrato is slow and wide. Try to match that feel.
e|---------------------------|
B|-8b10~~~-------------------|
G|---------------------------|
D|---------------------------|
A|---------------------------|
E|---------------------------|
7. Repeating Blues Motif
Clapton repeats phrases to build tension.
e|---------------------------|
B|-5--5--5-------------------|
G|--------7--5---------------|
D|-------------7-------------|
A|---------------------------|
E|---------------------------|
8. Quick Slide Down + Response
Feels like a “call and answer” with itself.
e|---------------------------|
B|-8p5-----------------------|
G|------7--5-----------------|
D|------------7--------------|
A|---------------------------|
E|---------------------------|
9. Double-Stop Clapton Hit
Very Cream-inspired. Great for big moments.
e|----------------------------|
B|-5--5-----------------------|
G|-5--5--7--5-----------------|
D|------------7---------------|
A|----------------------------|
E|----------------------------|
10. Classic Clapton Closer
Short, sweet, and super Clapton.
e|-----------------------------|
B|-8--5------------------------|
G|------7--5-------------------|
D|------------7--5-------------|
A|-------------------7---------|
E|-----------------------------|
Try mixing these licks together to create your own Clapton-style solos. They all come from the same shapes, so they connect naturally.
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Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Chords & Lessons
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