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Eric Johnson - Manhattan Pt.8 - Outro - Guitar Lesson

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Eric Johnson - Manhattan Pt.8 - Outro guitar lesson video
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Classic Rock

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Mid7
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Master7
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Eric Johnson Progressive Rock

About Manhattan Pt.8 - Outro

Few guitarists reward close listening the way Eric Johnson does, and "Manhattan Pt.8 - Outro" is a good example of why. As the closing section of a longer suite, this piece asks you to focus on phrasing and tone above raw speed. At 120 BPM in E Standard, the tempo is approachable, but that accessibility can be deceptive: Johnson's touch sensitivity and note choice demand real attention to dynamics, and sloppy picking or uneven vibrato will show immediately. The challenge here is not surviving fast runs but sustaining musical intention across every note. If any transitional passage feels slippery, use the Practice Toolbar to loop it slowed down until the phrasing feels natural rather than just correct. As a piece rooted in Progressive Rock, the outro carries a compositional weight that rewards learning it as a piece of music, not just a technical exercise. Listen hard before you play.

  • Played in E Standard tuning at 120 BPM, the tempo is moderate but demands precise touch and dynamic control throughout.
  • As an outro to a multi-part suite, the section rewards focusing on phrasing and vibrato quality rather than speed.
  • Use the Practice Toolbar to slow down and loop any transitional phrases where tone or note choice feels inconsistent.

How to Play Manhattan Pt.8 - Outro

Tuning: E Standard · Tempo: 120 BPM

Use the section loop to isolate a passage, drop the speed below 100%, and set the metronome to 120 BPM to build it up to tempo.

Fender Stratocaster
Guitar

Fender Stratocaster

Eric Johnson's primary instrument, with vintage single-coils and a rolled-back tone knob that deliver warm, articulate lead tones and dynamic range. His signature model features a 1-meg volume pot preserving high-end clarity, essential for his layered clean and overdriven tones.

Gibson Les Paul Standard
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Standard

Johnson uses original PAF humbuckers on his 1958/1959 model for heavier, mid-rich lead work, providing thicker sustain and compression on songs like 'Cliffs of Dover' when pushed through his Marshall head.

Gibson Les Paul Custom
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Custom

While not explicitly mentioned in Johnson's primary setup, this model shares PAF humbucker characteristics that would deliver similar thick, creamy lead tones and compressed sustain for heavier passages.

Gibson ES-335
Guitar

Gibson ES-335

Johnson switches to this semi-hollow body for jazzier passages mid-song, its balanced tone bridging his bright Strat clarity and Les Paul warmth for sophisticated, articulate lead work.

Fender Twin Reverb
Amp

Fender Twin Reverb

Johnson's core clean and light-crunch amp, run at volumes 5-6 for shimmering clarity and natural reverb that blends with his Marshall's grit to create his signature layered tone.

Ibanez Tube Screamer TS9
Pedal

Ibanez Tube Screamer TS9

Set with low gain and high level as a clean boost, Johnson's TS9 pushes his amps into natural breakup while preserving the dynamic articulation crucial to his playing style.

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