Eric Johnson - Manhattan - Bridge & 3rd B Section - Guitar Lesson

About Manhattan - Bridge & 3rd B Section

Few guitarists demand as much clean articulation from a player as Eric Johnson, and the Bridge and third B section of "Manhattan" makes that crystal clear. This section sits within the broader landscape of Progressive Rock, where melodic sophistication and technical precision are both expected. At 120 BPM in E Standard tuning, the tempo is moderate on paper, but Johnson's phrasing requires every note to speak cleanly, with consistent pick attack and smooth legato transitions that can expose any sloppiness in your technique. The bridge especially tends to shift harmonic direction in ways that catch players off guard, so knowing the chord movement inside out before worrying about speed is the right first step. Isolate the transition points between the bridge and the B section using the Practice Toolbar, looping them slowed down until the fingering changes feel automatic. Pay close attention to your right-hand dynamics here, as Johnson's tone comes as much from touch as from any amp setting.

• At 120 BPM in E Standard tuning, the moderate tempo still demands precise pick attack and clean legato phrasing throughout the bridge section.
• The harmonic movement between the bridge and third B section shifts direction quickly, making chord-to-chord transitions the main technical hurdle to practise.
• Johnson's signature clean tone means any muted or uneven notes will be clearly audible, so consistent right-hand control is essential here.