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Eric Clapton - I Wish it Would Rain Down - Phil Collins - Guitar Lesson

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Eric Clapton - I Wish it Would Rain Down - Phil Collins guitar lesson video
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Eric Clapton Blues Rock F major
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About I Wish it Would Rain Down - Phil Collins

The guitar work on "I Wish It Would Rain Down" is the main reason this Phil Collins ballad holds up so well for players. Eric Clapton handled the guitar parts, and his playing sits at the emotional core of the track, particularly in the solo passages where he draws every note out with careful vibrato and phrasing. At 104 BPM in F major, the tempo is relaxed enough that every note choice is exposed, so clean intonation and controlled bends matter more than speed. The challenge is not technical complexity but feel: getting that unhurried, behind-the-beat quality that makes the lines breathe. This kind of playing belongs squarely in the Blues Rock tradition, where restraint counts for more than flash. If the solo is giving you trouble, use the Practice Toolbar to loop it slowed down until the phrasing feels natural before bringing it back up to tempo.

  • Eric Clapton's guitar solo is the centrepiece of the track, requiring expressive string bends and slow, controlled vibrato rather than speed.
  • The relaxed tempo of 104 BPM in F major means small intonation and phrasing details are clearly audible, so practise each phrase cleanly.
  • E Standard tuning is used throughout, so no retuning is needed, but matching Clapton's tone benefits from a warm, clean amp setting with light overdrive.

How to Play I Wish it Would Rain Down - Phil Collins

Tuning: E Standard · Key: F major · Tempo: 104 BPM

Use the section loop to isolate a passage, drop the speed below 100%, and set the metronome to 104 BPM to build it up to tempo.

Fender Stratocaster
Guitar

Fender Stratocaster

Clapton's primary instrument from the 1970s onward, his signature Strat features Vintage Noiseless pickups and an active mid-boost circuit that pushes clean Fender amps into controlled breakup, delivering his trademark smooth yet slightly gritty tone.

Gibson Les Paul Standard
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Standard

The 'Beano' Les Paul with original PAF humbuckers paired with a cranked Marshall JTM45 created Clapton's legendary creamy, sustaining overdrive that defined the Bluesbreakers era and established his blues-rock foundation.

Gibson Les Paul Custom
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Custom

While less documented than the Standard, Clapton's occasional use of this model maintained the thick PAF humbucker character essential to his early power-blues tone during his transitional years.

Gibson SG Standard
Guitar

Gibson SG Standard

Clapton's SG with PAF humbuckers and a cranked Marshall during Cream produced his searing, sustain-rich lead tone that became iconic for psychedelic blues-rock soloing and feedback exploration.

Gibson ES-335
Guitar

Gibson ES-335

The semi-hollow ES-335 with Derek and the Dominos gave Clapton a warmer, more articulate midrange response ideal for the soulful, slightly compressed tone heard on 'Layla' and bluesy slide work.

Fender Twin Reverb
Amp

Fender Twin Reverb

From the mid-1970s onward, Clapton's shift to the Twin Reverb running relatively clean allowed his Strat's mid-boost circuit to drive natural amp breakup, creating his refined blues tone without heavy overdrive pedals.

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