The Blues Master Eric Clapton 1967 Interview--And How You Can Learn To Be An Independent Player Who Plays Their Way And Isn't Heavily Influenced By Others

You the player and your band can learn from Clapton and why you should stick to one type of music and play originals if you want to prosper as a musician and play the music you want, not what the fans or a label wants.
 As well,Clapton talks about playing just one type of instrument and learning how to play the guitar many different ways,instead of drifting off in many instruments that go no where.

On another note he talks about not being trendy with your music and to play with people who take your type of music to the next level. If your band has really developed it won't be influenced by bands like Pink Floyd or Zeppelin. It will have moved on from there and created it's own feel and play their own brand of blues rock with a textural feel and tone that sounds like jazz.  Clapton also talked about english musicians at that time expanding their sound while american players played at lower volumes with less effects or power.

Players in my mind should play with less equipment and less volume or amp wattage and be more creative with less. A lot of these thoughts are mine and I feel that even Clapton went with more power and was creative despite that.

Eric Clapton--Interview--Why Your Band Should Learn From Clapton And Real Blues Players

By Mark Grove

Eric Clapton played with one of music's real blues bands,with John Mayall and The BluesBreakers.That set the tone for what he did with Cream.Cream were one the first real Rock,Jazz Fusion Bands around.


Cream if you don't know was a trio with Clapton who was real blues, Jack Bruce on Bass,and Ginger Baker on drums.Both Baker and Bruce were Jazz guys.Who'd a thunk it that they would become some of the most sought after players,who to this day a lot of bluesmen use their material for jams,and for demos and cover material.


That should tell you something right there.


A lot of bands from the late 60's tried to get away from blues and were more Rhythm and blues based than real blues.Even The Stones only had snippets of blues in their late 60's early 70's material.

Cream had such great players that at times they were what I call "Headcutting" on stage and literally trying to out play one another. So go online or go to a specialty record store and buy a CD, or if you really want to go back,buy a vinyl version of a Cream album.


Get your band to learn from one of the great acts of the late 60's. Try both Cream and John Mayall who Clapton played with before Cream. Include a couple tracks of theirs in your jams or set lists.

They also have some more jazz like material that will stretch your band's playing dynamically and be the better for it.

I'll have another article up on the blog tomorrow on why players should start by playing and recording using Analog equipment,not digital or computer based equipment. And don't use modelling amps either. That just makes you a garbage player in my books.


I'm just waiting for the emails now stating that I don't know jack shit.Believe me,to become the player you should be don't use digital when you start out.


So enjoy the interview with Clapton who says some very illuminating things on where you should be taking stock of other players from,or learning from.


Peace and Success to all players.



Mark G

Blues Guitar Jamming And How To Improvise By Listening

Picture of Muddy Water's Guitarist Bob Margolin (Left)and Blues Guitarist Motor City Josh Just Jammin'Away


By Mark Grove


We've had a lot of good comments on this article on the art of the blues jam. Basically, how to get started jamming locally and how it can help your playing ability, and became the player you always wanted to be.


So I thought I would bring this short little how to article back.


Okay, you’ve been honing your blues rock chops on your Fender Strat or Gibson Les Paul at home, or with your garage band. And for the last number of years you said you would always hit the blues jams in your city.



But, you’re afraid of looking foolish on stage if you make mistakes. We all go through that. Before you do go on stage, go to a jam and listen to other players, really listen and write down the name of the band or musician hosting the jam. Take notes of songs being played, especially the best blues guitarist in town who’s up there.


If your blues chops aren’t up to his level, don’t worry, and go with the songs you know how to play and ask if he would be willing jam on your requested tune. I know, you’re scared up there, but if you don’t take that step you’ll never do it, it’s that simple. Chances are they’ll ask you to lead the song so practice the song until you kill it. I know it fly’s in the face of blues improvising on the fly. But you at least have to know the material, even if it’s just one song.



You’ll learn how to jam in a pressure situation that way. Then the best players will want you up on stage consistently.


Blues players will also help you more than most rock players. Even though it’s your song, listen to the other players and their techniques which will give you some in sight, into how to use little new variances in your chording technique.



Don’t try and play above everyone else or in your own little virtuoso world either.



Even if you or someone else makes a mistake, play through it and in sync with every one else. Even if it is your first jam try and pick out someone in the crowd to play to and connect with. Don’t worry about being a shred king, Blues is about simplicity.



You’ll get fans you never knew you had playing that way. So play tunes you know, and Save improvising for later, until you’ve started playing jams regularly with other musicians.



You’ll know the right time to fly on the frets if you do that. Don’t just listen to and copy guitarist’s, get your own style and include just little snippets of the Blues Masters, or top players in your town.



Listen to drummers, Bass players, singers and harp men. Apply their techniques to yours so you can get beyond your own chording and improvisation techniques. It’s not about being the baddest and best blues guitar cat on the planet.


Jamming and playing with others better than yourself is key, to glom some chording tips and even a wild blues lick or two, from a newbie like yourself. Blues jamming, It’s all so beautiful man.

Mark Grove

email me a question on jamming at:mdgrove@rock.com