The final bit works around the 9th, another popular dominant extension, before landing on a classic minor 3rd. This lick doesn’t even touch a major 3rd, its minor pentatonic/blues to the core! That slightly unusual for Clapton, who loves to add those major flourishes.

Eric Clapton is a modern but legendary guitarist with a knack for great blues hooks. While he may have gotten his big name fame with the release of his popular solo album Slowhand; true fans will remember him as the guitarist from the likes of The Yardbirds, Cream, and John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers.

This little C blues lick is classic Clapton blues shuffle. I emphasize shuffle because it is definitely the key to this lick. For a good example of this lick in use, check out Clapton’s solo in his Freddie King cover of “I’m Tore Down.”