Classic Blues Rock

Eric Clapton, ZZ Top, and Led Zeppelin were some of the most prominent artists that took the blues and electrified it for a new generation. Learn how to play "Crossroads" as made famous by Cream, and "La Grange" by ZZ Top. There are so many blues songs that we love, we couldn't possibly fit them all on this list. There are just some of our favorites. Learn how to play these blues rock classics today!

Artist / Title / Progress
Difficulty / style
Eric Clapton with Cream image
Crossroads Eric Clapton with Cream

Tom will show you all the licks and riffs to "Crossroads" as recorded live by Cream in 1967 for the Wheels of Fire album. This song is effectively a rocked out 12 bar blues full of timeless Clapton riffs and licks. The guitar alternates between rhythm playing, melodic playing and full on soloing. This is a great example of how one guitar and a rhythm section can create a full and rocking sound. Behold, the power trio!

Published: 09/04/2014 Upgrade
Led Zeppelin image
I Can't Quit You Baby Led Zeppelin

Tom will show you how the guitar weaves super tasty lines and occasional chords between and around the vocals to create an exciting and dynamic arrangement of a simple form!

Published: 05/05/2015 Upgrade
Led Zeppelin image
You Shook Me Led Zeppelin

Tom will show you the 2 electric guitar parts that are played in this tune. There is lyrical slide work playing call and response with the vocals, low grinding rhythm work and a scorching lead solo! This is post-psychedelic blues rock at its best!

Published: 05/21/2019 Upgrade
Cream image
White Room Cream

In these ten lessons, Anders Mouridsen will take you through the classic rock song "White Room", by Cream. Anders will talk about the gear and tone, then teach you the iconic intro and main riff. Then we're off into the rhythm guitar playing and chorus parts, followed by all the lead fills and main solo. We'll finish things off with a full performance of the song, and a jam along sans guitars.

Published: 12/20/2011 Upgrade
Cream image
Spoonful Cream

Mike will show you how this song is essentially one chord, one riff, and plenty of dynamics. The lone electric guitar plays single note lines throughout, adding both unison, as well as call/response support to the vocal. The whole performance is a great opportunity to practice how to hold down the song with only one guitar layer in the context of a power trio.

Published: 04/25/2016 Upgrade
Eric Clapton & John Mayall's Bluesbreakers image
Telephone Blues Eric Clapton & John Mayall's Bluesbreakers

Tom will show you the intro, verses, solo and outro to this classic blues tune. This is an excellent study in blues soloing and call and response phrasing with the vocals.

Published: 04/08/2016 Upgrade
Eric Clapton & John Mayall's Bluesbreakers image
Steppin' Out Eric Clapton & John Mayall's Bluesbreakers

Mike will show you how to play this tune that features one overdriven electric guitar playing killer licks in Clapton's distinctive style overtop the 12 bar blues form in a swinging blues groove.

Published: 12/21/2016 Upgrade
The Yardbirds image
I Ain't Got You The Yardbirds

There are 2 lightly crunched electric guitar layers in this tune. Guitar 1 plays some double-stop laden riffs and a searing solo, while Guitar 2 is a rhythm guitar that holds it all down with some lower single note lines and power chords.

Published: 05/09/2017 Upgrade
ZZ Top image
Tush ZZ Top

In this set of lessons, Anders Mouridsen will teach you "Tush", by ZZ Top. After giving an overview of the song and talking about the gear and tones, Anders will dive right into the main intro riff and the verse. The we're on to the slide solo in two parts, followed by solo #2. The we'll look at how to play all the parts using one guitar, to help in playing this song live. We'll end with a play along, then you take over and jam by yourself with the backing track.

Published: 10/11/2012 Upgrade
ZZ Top image
Cheap Sunglasses ZZ Top

In this set of song lessons, Mike Olekshy will teach you "Cheap Sunglasses", by ZZ Top. Mike will give a song overview and talk about gear and tones, then launch into the main riff followed by the chorus. Next up is the interlude and "dive bombs"; then we're off to solo rhythm part and the 1st two solos and the outro rhythm parts and outro solo. We'll end with a full performance, a single guitar performance, and a jam along.

Published: 04/29/2013 Upgrade
ZZ Top image
Dust My Broom ZZ Top

Mike will show you all the parts to both guitars tuned to an open D tuning. Guitar 1 is the rhythm guitar with a distorted, grinding tone, laying down some boogie diad riffing through the 12 bar progression. Guitar 2 is the lead slide guitar featuring a cleaner tone that stands out in the mix.

Published: 04/13/2015 Upgrade