3 Must know E Blues Riffs (Eric Clapton Guitar lesson toolbox)

3 Must know E Blues Riffs (Eric Clapton Guitar lesson toolbox)

Here are three essential E blues riffs often associated with Eric Clapton's style:

The "Slowhand" Riff:
Structure: This riff is based around the E minor pentatonic scale but often includes the blue note for added color.
Pattern:
Start with an open E string (E), hammer-on to the 2nd fret (F#), then pull-off back to open E.
Slide from the 3rd fret (G) on the low E string up to the 5th fret (A), then play the open A string.
Finish with a quick lick on the high E string, perhaps a bend from the 5th fret (G) to the 7th fret (A), then back down to the 5th.
Tab:
E|---0-2-0---------------------------------|
B|---------0-3b5---------------------------|
G|-------------------0---------------------|
D|--------------------2-0------------------|
A|------------------------2-0--------------|
E|------------------------------3/5-0------|
The "Crossroads" Lick:
Structure: This riff is from Clapton's version of "Crossroads" and uses a triplet feel.
Pattern:
Start with a triplet on the 5th fret of the A string (D), then move to the 7th fret (E), back to the 5th, and then to the 3rd fret (C#).
Play the open A string, then go to the 2nd fret (B) on the A string, back to open, then the 3rd fret (C#) and slide to the 5th fret (D).
Tab:
E|-----------------------------------------|
B|-----------------------------------------|
G|-----------------------------------------|
D|-----------------------------------------|
A|-5-7-5-3-0-2-0-3\5-----------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------|
The "Layla" Intro Riff:
Structure: Known from "Layla", this riff uses the E minor pentatonic with some chromatic notes.
Pattern:
Begin with a slide from the 7th fret (B) to the 9th fret (C) on the D string, then play the 7th fret on the G string (B), and slide down to the 5th (A).
Then, play the 8th fret on the G string (Bb), slide to the 10th (C), and back to the 8th, finishing with a bend on the 10th fret of the B string up to the 12th (D).
Tab:
E|-------------------------------|
B|----------------------10b12----|
G|------7-9-7-5-8-10-8-----------|
D|--7/9---------------------------|
A|--------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------|

These riffs can be expanded upon, varied, or played with different rhythms to fit into different parts of a song or to inspire your own improvisations. Remember, the key to mastering these riffs is not just playing the notes but also capturing the feel and phrasing that Clapton is known for.