Spoonful by Cream

Overview of Spoonful by Cream

"Spoonful" is a cornerstone track of British blues-rock, famously recorded by Cream for their debut album, Fresh Cream. This song epitomises the raw power and virtuosity of the blues genre, enriched with the dynamic interplay of Eric Clapton’s legendary guitar work. As a student of guitar, learning Spoonful is an invaluable experience, offering a rich variety of techniques that will sharpen your skills and deepen your appreciation for blues and rock music. Michael Casswell breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

The Guitarist Behind Spoonful

Eric Clapton's guitar work on Spoonful solidified his reputation as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. As part of Cream, Clapton combined traditional blues influences with an electrifying modern touch, pushing the boundaries of blues guitar. His expressive phrasing, soulful vibrato, and inventive use of dynamics in Spoonful became a blueprint for countless guitarists to follow. By studying Clapton's techniques, students can gain insight into the artistry of one of rock's most influential players.

Techniques Featured in the Spoonful Guitar Lesson

1. String Bending

String bending is an essential blues technique, and Spoonful makes extensive use of it to create emotional, vocal-like phrasing. This lesson covers standard bends, pre-bends, and bluesy bends, teaching you how to control pitch and add expressiveness to your playing. Mastering this technique allows you to bring out the soulful essence of blues solos.

2. Slides

Slides are used to transition smoothly between notes, adding a fluid and lyrical quality to your playing. In Spoonful, slides are integral to creating the song's slinky, bluesy feel. Learning slides enhances your fretboard navigation and helps you develop a polished, seamless sound.

3. Vibrato

Clapton's signature vibrato technique is a standout feature in Spoonful. This lesson focuses on developing a controlled and expressive vibrato, which is key to imbuing your solos with personality and depth. A well-executed vibrato can elevate even the simplest note into a highlight of your performance.

4. Double Stops

Double stops—playing two notes simultaneously—are used throughout Spoonful to add harmonic richness to solos. This technique is especially useful for blues and rock players, as it creates a fuller, more textured sound in lead playing.

5. Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

The lesson dives into hammer-ons and pull-offs, techniques essential for smooth legato phrasing. These techniques are employed in Spoonful to deliver quick, fluid note transitions, making your solos sound more dynamic and professional.

6. Open-String Riffs

The song features several open-string riffs, which create a resonant and percussive feel. This part of the lesson teaches how to effectively incorporate open strings into your playing, broadening your rhythm and lead capabilities.

7. Bluesy Bends

Bluesy bends are a hallmark of Clapton's playing in Spoonful. The lesson covers the nuances of bending notes to achieve a raw, emotional quality that is quintessential to blues music. Perfecting bluesy bends adds an authentic blues voice to your guitar playing.

Benefits of Learning Spoonful

Studying Spoonful offers more than just technical growth—it provides a deeper understanding of the blues as a musical language. You'll learn how to:

• Use dynamics to enhance emotional expression.
• Combine rhythm and lead techniques seamlessly.
• Develop a personal touch by mastering Clapton's nuanced phrasing.
• Build confidence with foundational blues concepts that apply across genres.

Guitar Techniques List

Here are the techniques covered in the Spoonful guitar lesson, with links to their definitions and deeper explanations:

• Vibrato
• String Bending
• Slides
• Double Stops
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Open-String Riffs
• Bluesy Bends

Dive into the Spoonful lesson and bring the electrifying sound of Cream’s blues-rock masterpiece to life on your guitar. Whether you're a beginner aiming to explore the blues or a seasoned player refining your skills, this lesson offers something for everyone.