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Cocaine Guitar Lesson

In this lesson, Richard Barrett breaks down Eric Clapton’s iconic hit “Cocaine,” showing you how to capture its signature riff-driven style and blues-rock vibe. This song is a staple of Clapton’s catalog, and Richard takes you through each section with clarity and precision, helping you master both the rhythm and lead guitar parts. What You’ll Learn: Signature Riff: Richard dives into the instantly recognisable opening riff, explaining the note choices, tone, and Clapton’s use of dynamics to give it that punchy, laid-back groove. Chords & Rhythm: Get to grips with the simple, yet effective chord progression and strumming patterns, perfect for both beginners and seasoned players who want to add depth to their playing. Lead Breaks: Richard breaks down Clapton’s lead guitar work in this track, focusing on his bluesy phrasing, bending techniques, and use of the pentatonic scale. Tone Tips: Learn how to dial in a tone that matches Clapton’s blues-rock sound, including settings for overdrive and delay to match his warm, driven tone. Solo Analysis: Step by step, Richard walks through the solo, showing how Clapton’s fluid mix of pentatonic scales and classic blues licks give this song its memorable lead break. Why Learn This Song? “Cocaine” is a great track for guitarists looking to explore the blues-rock style. Whether you’re learning it to perform live or add Clapton’s style to your own playing, Richard’s tutorial gives you all the tools you need to nail it. His breakdowns of the rhythm, phrasing, and techniques help you understand not just how to play it, but how to play it with that classic Clapton feel.