Cliffs of Dover – Eric Johnson

One of the most celebrated instrumental guitar pieces in rock history, Cliffs of Dover by Eric Johnson is a tour de force of melodic phrasing, lightning-fast licks, and expressive technique. Now available at Licklibrary.com, this note-for-note guitar lesson gives players the tools to master every nuance of this iconic track. Whether you're a fan of Eric Johnson’s unique style or simply looking to expand your technical guitar vocabulary, this lesson delivers an in-depth look at one of the most challenging and rewarding pieces in the modern guitar canon. Rick Graham breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Song and Guitarist

Originally released in 1990 on the Ah Via Musicom album, Cliffs of Dover quickly became a benchmark for instrumental guitar excellence. The song earned Eric Johnson a Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance and remains a rite of passage for aspiring lead guitarists.

Eric Johnson’s playing is a blend of smooth legato, articulate alternate picking, and trademark crystalline tone. His style synthesises elements of rock, blues, jazz, and country, drawing influence from players like Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, and Chet Atkins, while pushing technical and tonal boundaries in his own right. The guitar work on Cliffs of Dover is a testament to Johnson’s precision, creativity, and masterful control of dynamics.

Techniques Covered in the Lesson

This lesson meticulously breaks down the techniques that make Cliffs of Dover so inspiring and technically demanding. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll learn:

Alternate Picking

Eric Johnson’s lead lines in Cliffs of Dover rely heavily on alternate picking, a foundational technique that allows players to maintain speed and control. Mastering alternate picking helps develop rhythm, timing, and the ability to articulate complex passages cleanly.

Legato

Throughout the piece, Johnson uses flowing legato phrases that combine hammer-ons and pull-offs. This technique allows players to achieve a fluid, vocal-like quality that contrasts beautifully with more percussive picking techniques.

String Bending and Bluesy Bends

Expressive string bending is a hallmark of Johnson’s phrasing. In this lesson, you'll learn how to bend with precision and incorporate bluesy bends that inject soul into every note.

Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

Essential to achieving a smooth legato feel, hammer-ons and pull-offs are used extensively throughout the track. Mastering these will enhance your speed and phrasing.

Trills

Quick, fluttering trills appear in several of the song’s lead lines. Practicing trills improves finger strength and dexterity—key components for playing expressive lead guitar.

Arpeggios

Arpeggios feature prominently in the introduction and solo sections. This lesson breaks down how to play them cleanly and at speed, helping you outline chord shapes melodically.

Slides and Vibrato

Eric Johnson’s expressive style includes seamless slides and signature vibrato techniques. These elements are essential for adding emotion and movement to your phrasing.

Double Stops and Unison Bends

The track incorporates double stops and unison bends, giving phrases added harmonic depth and power. Learning these techniques improves your ability to create rich, harmonised sounds.

Tapped Harmonics and Two-Handed Tapping

Unique to Johnson’s style are tapped harmonics and moments of two-handed tapping, offering shimmering textures and advanced sonic effects.

Hybrid Picking

In several passages, Johnson employs hybrid picking to achieve clarity and speed. This technique blends pick and finger use, opening up new possibilities for intricate phrasing.

Why Learn Cliffs of Dover?

Learning Cliffs of Dover isn’t just about mastering one song—it’s about transforming your playing. This lesson helps build:

• Speed and Precision – Develop lightning-fast picking and finger coordination.
• Dynamic Control – Learn to balance soft and loud phrases, clean and dirty tones.
• Phrasing and Expression – Internalise phrasing techniques that bring life to solos.
• Creative Inspiration – Explore new ideas and musical vocabulary to inspire your own solos.

Our note-for-note tutorial ensures that every phrase, nuance, and technique is fully broken down and explained in a digestible format—ideal for intermediate to advanced players aiming to challenge themselves and grow as musicians.

Techniques Used in the Cliffs of Dover Guitar Lesson

• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• String Bending
• Bluesy Bends
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Trills
• Arpeggios
• Slides
• Vibrato
• Double Stops
• Unison Bends
• Tapped Harmonics
• Two-Handed Tapping
• Hybrid Picking

Unlock your guitar potential and experience the power of precision with our in-depth Cliffs of Dover guitar lesson—only at Licklibrary.com.