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Eric Clapton - Cocaine - Guitar Solo Tab

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Key E major
Eric Clapton - Cocaine guitar tab video
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Slowhand 35th Anniversary (Super Deluxe) album cover
Slowhand 35th Anniversary (Super Deluxe)
1977 3:42
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Eric Clapton Blues Rock 1977 E major
Capo Advisor 0 E major · Original key

About Cocaine

Few riffs in Blues Rock are as immediately recognisable as the one that opens "Cocaine." Built around a repeating E-based figure, it sits in a comfortable range on the neck but demands real precision: the rhythm has to be tight, the muting clean, and the attack consistent. At 120 BPM in E Standard, the tempo is approachable, but keeping the groove locked in throughout the whole track is where most players slip. The key of E major means you have the open low E string working for you, and learning to lean on that resonance is part of getting the feel right. Eric Clapton keeps the lead work deceptively simple, but the tone and note placement carry everything, so sloppy bends will stand out immediately. Use the Practice Toolbar to loop the main riff slowed down until your pick attack and muting are completely even before bringing it back up to speed.

  • The central riff is built on an E power chord figure in E Standard tuning, making the open low E string a key part of the sound.
  • Palm muting and consistent pick attack are the main technical demands, as any unevenness in the rhythm guitar part is immediately audible.
  • The lead fills are sparse and bend-heavy, so practising accurate small bends in the key of E is essential preparation for the solo sections.

How to Play Cocaine

Tuning: E Standard · Key: E major · 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

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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