“Sunshine of Your Love” by Cream is a timeless rock anthem, instantly recognizable by its killer guitar riff. Played by the legendary Eric Clapton, this song is a must-learn for any guitarist. The great news? This iconic riff is surprisingly easy to learn, even for beginner guitarists! In this lesson, we’ll break down how to play the main riff of “Sunshine of Your Love” step-by-step, ensuring you’ll be rocking out in no time. Get ready to impress your friends with this classic!
Sunshine of Your Love Guitar Tab – Learn to play the iconic riff with this tab.
Step 1: Understanding the D Minor Blues Scale
Before diving into the riff, let’s touch upon the foundation: the D minor blues scale. “Sunshine of Your Love” is based in D Major, but the riff heavily utilizes the D minor blues scale, giving it that signature bluesy rock sound. Think of the D minor blues scale as a D minor pentatonic scale with added “blues notes” for extra flavor. While we won’t delve deep into music theory here, understanding that blues scale influence will help you grasp the notes we’re using.
Step 2: Breaking Down the Main Riff – Part 1
Let’s learn the first part of the riff. Start by placing your ring finger on the 12th fret of the 4th string (D string). Play this fret twice. Then, use your pointer finger to fret the 10th fret of the 4th string and play it once. Finally, return to the 12th fret of the 4th string with your ring finger, playing it again. So far, on the 4th string, you’ve played frets: 12, 12, 10, 12.
Next, we move to the 5th string (A string). On this string, play the 12th fret with your ring finger, then the 11th fret with your middle finger, and finally the 10th fret with your pointer finger. This chromatic descent (notes right next to each other) is a key element of the blues scale sound. To recap part 1, you’ve played: 4th string (12, 12, 10, 12), then 5th string (12, 11, 10).
Step 3: Mastering the Main Riff – Part 2
For the second part of the riff, we add a slide and some finishing touches. Slide up to the 10th fret on the 6th string (low E string) with your ring finger. The starting fret for the slide isn’t crucial, but aiming from around the 8th fret works well. The important part is landing cleanly on the 10th fret.
After the slide, use your pointer finger to play the 8th fret of the 5th string (A string) once. Finally, end the riff by playing the 10th fret of the 6th string (low E string) with your ring finger, adding vibrato. Vibrato is a guitar technique where you subtly wiggle the string back and forth, adding expression and feeling to the note. Practice controlling your vibrato for a smooth and soulful sound.
Step 4: Putting It All Together
Congratulations, you’ve learned the main riff to “Sunshine of Your Love”! Practice each part slowly at first, focusing on accuracy and clean transitions between notes. Once you’re comfortable with each section, gradually increase your speed until you can play the riff smoothly and confidently.
This riff demonstrates how simple yet incredibly effective guitar riffs can be. Eric Clapton’s genius lies in creating iconic and memorable music without unnecessary complexity. By learning “Sunshine of Your Love,” you’re not just learning a riff; you’re understanding the power of simplicity in rock guitar. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be basking in the “Sunshine of Your Love” riff!
