Song For George – Eric Johnson
"Song For George" by Eric Johnson is a beautifully composed acoustic piece that showcases his softer, more melodic side. This instrumental track is a heartfelt tribute to a family friend and provides a rich palette of finger-style techniques, melodic phrasing, and dynamic control, all wrapped up in a warm acoustic tone. At LickLibrary.com, we’ve created a note-for-note lesson that breaks down every nuance of this composition, making it accessible for intermediate to advanced players who want to absorb the depth of Johnson’s musicality and technical finesse. Rick Graham breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.
About the Guitarist – Eric Johnson
Eric Johnson is widely regarded as one of the most tasteful and technically gifted guitarists of our time. Known for his work in rock, jazz fusion, blues, and instrumental guitar music, Johnson's playing is characterised by its clarity, tone, and melodic sensibility. His influence spans generations of guitarists who admire his seamless integration of complex techniques with soulful expression. In “Song For George”, Johnson trades in his usual electric firepower for a more introspective acoustic performance, reminding us of his versatility and finesse as a player.
Overview of the Lesson
Our “Song For George” lesson dives deep into the techniques that make this song both a joy to play and an insightful learning experience. You’ll not only master a beautiful acoustic instrumental but also enhance your overall guitar technique through targeted practice. This lesson is especially valuable for players looking to improve their articulation, finger independence, tone control, and dynamic playing.
Guitar Techniques Explored
Finger-Picking
This song heavily relies on finger-picking, a foundational acoustic technique that allows for greater nuance and independence between the thumb and fingers. Johnson’s use of finger-picking gives each note a bell-like clarity and enables him to weave melody and harmony seamlessly. Learning this technique improves your overall dexterity and control on the instrument.
Hybrid Picking
Eric incorporates elements of hybrid picking, using a pick along with his fingers to access rapid melodic and harmonic combinations. This approach expands the possibilities for dynamic control and string skipping, allowing smoother transitions between chordal and single-note lines.
Slides
Slides are used throughout the piece to connect melodic ideas fluidly. Johnson’s sliding technique adds a vocal, expressive quality to the phrasing, teaching players how to articulate transitions in a lyrical, seamless manner.
Hammer-Ons & Pull-Offs
Both hammer-ons and pull-offs are used subtly to embellish melodic lines and facilitate smooth legato phrases. Mastery of these techniques helps players build speed and smoothness in their playing while keeping the sound fluid and connected.
Vibrato
Johnson uses vibrato to give notes life and sustain, adding emotional depth to the melody. This expressive technique is vital for making guitar phrases sing and adds a human element to your playing.
Open String Riffs
Parts of the song cleverly incorporate open-string riffs, creating lush harmonies and expanding the song’s tonal range. This technique is great for building creative chord voicings and enhancing your harmonic vocabulary.
Arpeggiated Chord Progressions
Arpeggiated chord progressions form the harmonic backbone of the piece. These progressions allow the melody and harmony to move together, requiring clean fretting and right-hand control. Learning these helps improve timing, voicing, and note separation.
Travis Picking
The underlying rhythmic engine of the piece is built on Travis picking, a style that involves alternating bass notes with melody lines. This technique builds strong thumb independence and rhythmic discipline, key skills for any aspiring finger-style guitarist.
Conclusion
“Song For George” is a masterclass in acoustic guitar composition and performance. Our lesson not only breaks down the song into manageable sections but also helps you develop a wide range of techniques essential for expressive acoustic guitar playing. Whether you’re looking to explore fingerstyle in more depth or simply want to expand your musical vocabulary, this lesson is a must-watch for any serious guitarist.
Techniques Used in This Lesson
About The Tutor
Tutor Profile
Rick Graham
Rick is talented guitarist and educator from Southport in the UK who started studying violin at the tender age of 7 and eventually discovered guitar years later whilst he was in college. Discovering a love for the instrument, he honed his skills with the guitar at Guildhall School of Music...