• From: London, UK
  • Registered: 2011-04-01
  • Posts: 313

Topic: The Ultimate Challenge

A friend of mine has challenged me to learn to play 'Cliffs Of Dover' by Eric Johnson by the 4th July.

I haven't said I've accepted yet but I think I wouldn't need to get any better if I did.

However, the more I listen to it, the more I think it will be impossible to do. sad

Should I accept or decline?


(I'd like to hear what those of you who can actually play it say)

Guitars:
Epiphone Les Paul Junior Black + Gold Hardware, PRS SE Santana Yellow, Ovation Double-Neck Semi-Acoustic, Ovation Celebrity CC44 Honeyburst, Gibson 2008 Les Paul Standard Heritage Cherry Sunburst (#10), Gibson Robot Les Paul Studio 2012 Limited, Gibson 1976 Les Paul Custom Heritage Cherry Sunburst
  • From: Newark, DE
  • Registered: 2013-01-13
  • Posts: 1,675

Re: The Ultimate Challenge

What's the reward lol? I saw two versions online. The studio version I couldn't play in a million years, the live version possible as its a lot slower tempo

Alan
  • From: London, UK
  • Registered: 2011-04-01
  • Posts: 313

Re: The Ultimate Challenge

Studio is the only one I can find tab for.

Not sure about the reward but I hope it's worth it.

Guitars:
Epiphone Les Paul Junior Black + Gold Hardware, PRS SE Santana Yellow, Ovation Double-Neck Semi-Acoustic, Ovation Celebrity CC44 Honeyburst, Gibson 2008 Les Paul Standard Heritage Cherry Sunburst (#10), Gibson Robot Les Paul Studio 2012 Limited, Gibson 1976 Les Paul Custom Heritage Cherry Sunburst
  • jayb
  • jayb
  • Platinum
  • Offline
  • From: Bundaberg Queensland
  • Registered: 2012-09-11
  • Posts: 136

Re: The Ultimate Challenge

xavier wrote:

I think I wouldn't need to get any better if I did.

Xavier, it seems all you need is time then. Most of it is achievable with practise...the fast pentatonic runs are the bits I find challenging. Take a chunk at a time and you should be right.

  • RickB
  • RickB
  • BONAMEGAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: San Diego
  • Registered: 2009-10-30
  • Posts: 12,198

Re: The Ultimate Challenge

I'm not a guitar player but musical. Set the bar very high and  you can only achieve good results. Joe names Eric as an influence and you can hear it in his music. As Jayb says, a nibble at a time and soon the meal is eaten. Go for it! (we want a clip at the end!) smile
Rick

Free download from Vienna! http://mbsy.co/bNLR
Lots of unique videos of Joe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwd5vL8fXTw
Buy Joe's merchandise here. http://www.jbonamassa.com/affiliates/id … hp?id=1381

RickB's Website

6 Reply by ahsmith33 (edited by ahsmith33 2013-02-28 16:34:43)

  • Registered: 2008-06-16
  • Posts: 4,021

Re: The Ultimate Challenge

not a guitar player either (any more), but theoretically it is just a matter of "divide and conquer" as Rick and Jay suggest. Break that sucker down into parts and focus on one part at a time, then hook em together and smooth out the transitions. It was the song that got me hooked on EJ, and really have to marvel at the speed and dexterity he displays in it.
and for your next challenge, try out some Shawn Lane (deceased), once called the fastest guitarist ever. He has a vid on Utube for Mike Stern's Upside Downside. good luck with it, you have all the time in the world youngun.

As corn through a goose, so are the days of our lives
  • Lee
  • Lee
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: Minnesota
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
  • Posts: 2,476

Re: The Ultimate Challenge

Seems like a good excuse to post a video! Of course, the studio version starts roughly at the 2:00 minute mark, but the intro is my favorite part - also perhaps the toughest to play. Bonus points for sure for playing that!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15eu7ar5EKM

  • From: London, UK
  • Registered: 2011-04-01
  • Posts: 313

Re: The Ultimate Challenge

Seems I almost win my challenge. After 2 days solid work at it, I can now get from beginning to end without stopping, not perfectly, but it's a start.

Guitars:
Epiphone Les Paul Junior Black + Gold Hardware, PRS SE Santana Yellow, Ovation Double-Neck Semi-Acoustic, Ovation Celebrity CC44 Honeyburst, Gibson 2008 Les Paul Standard Heritage Cherry Sunburst (#10), Gibson Robot Les Paul Studio 2012 Limited, Gibson 1976 Les Paul Custom Heritage Cherry Sunburst
  • RickB
  • RickB
  • BONAMEGAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: San Diego
  • Registered: 2009-10-30
  • Posts: 12,198

Re: The Ultimate Challenge

xavier wrote:

Seems I almost win my challenge. After 2 days solid work at it, I can now get from beginning to end without stopping, not perfectly, but it's a start.

There you are! EJ is a modern master and one of the players any young artist should emulate. He sets the standard with those fluid arpeggios and runs. Start slow and work to the full speed version. Licks you should master if you want to move forward. smile

Free download from Vienna! http://mbsy.co/bNLR
Lots of unique videos of Joe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwd5vL8fXTw
Buy Joe's merchandise here. http://www.jbonamassa.com/affiliates/id … hp?id=1381

RickB's Website

  • From: Glasgow, Scotland
  • Registered: 2012-05-31
  • Posts: 170

Re: The Ultimate Challenge

I read an interview in which Joe himself said he never learned 'Cliffs..' because he thought it was too hard (even though he managed to learn 'Eugene's trick bag'), so i suppose it puts into perspective how difficult it is to emulate EJ's tunes note for note. Best of luck though, you've nothing to lose & all to gain

Me playing Joe's actual Ibanez Tubescreamer pedal - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76jk58_vl2s

frazerburns19's Website

  • From: Benicia, Ca.
  • Registered: 2006-05-08
  • Posts: 5,828

Re: The Ultimate Challenge

xavier wrote:

Seems I almost win my challenge. After 2 days solid work at it, I can now get from beginning to end without stopping, not perfectly, but it's a start.

C'mon X, Man Up! Who doesn't love a challenge? I'm in yer corner amigo!!! BTW, I don't listen to EJ, fer what it's worth.

What is success? Is it do yo' own thang, or is it to join the rest?   -Allen Toussaint