3 Cream Songs Every Guitarist Should Learn

Cream, the legendary British rock trio, gifted the world with a powerful blend of blues, rock, and psychedelic music. Their innovative approach to improvisation and raw energy influenced generations of musicians. For guitarists, learning Cream songs is like taking a masterclass in blues-rock guitar, walking a path paved by Eric Clapton’s rocky road of blues mastery.

His iconic tone and fiery playing are a must-study for anyone serious about the instrument. So, if you’re looking to expand your guitar skills and dive into some classic rock, following Clapton’s rocky road, here are three Cream songs that are perfect for learning: But first lets thank the photographer who allowed this photo of “Eric Clapton Live Aug. 15, 1975” by ultomatt is licensed under CC BY 2.0 to be used as the featured image.

1. Sunshine of Your Love: The First Step on Clapton’s Rocky Road To Guitar Greatness

“Sunshine of Your Love” is arguably Cream’s most recognizable hit. Its infectious, hypnotic riff, based on a descending chromatic scale, is instantly memorable and incredibly fun to play.

This song is a fantastic introduction to blues-rock riffing and teaches you how to build tension and release through simple, yet effective melodic ideas. Beyond the main riff, the song features Clapton’s signature bluesy licks, a taste of the rocky road ahead, and a powerful, driving rhythm section.

Learning “Sunshine of Your Love” will not only expand your riff vocabulary but also give you a solid foundation in playing within a 12-bar blues structure.

2. Crossroads: Where Blues Legends Meet Clapton’s Rocky Road

Originally a Robert Johnson blues standard, Cream’s electrifying rendition of “Crossroads” transformed it into a rock anthem. Clapton’s guitar playing on this track is nothing short of legendary, a testament to his journey down the rocky road of blues. His blistering solo showcases his mastery of the blues scale and his ability to blend technical prowess with raw emotion. Learning “Crossroads” is a great way to improve your soloing skills, particularly in the blues idiom. Pay close attention to Clapton’s phrasing, bending techniques, and vibrato – these nuances are crucial to capturing the authentic blues feel he forged on his rocky road. This song is a challenging but rewarding experience for any guitarist looking to take their playing to the next level.

3. White Room: A More Psychedelic Stop on Clapton’s Rocky Road

“White Room” is a slightly more psychedelic offering from Cream, featuring a haunting melody and a unique, almost Eastern-influenced guitar riff. This song demonstrates Clapton’s versatility and his ability to incorporate different musical styles into his playing, showing the diverse terrain of his rocky road. The main riff is a great exercise in fingerpicking and developing a smooth, controlled playing style. The song also features some beautiful clean tone guitar work and a memorable, soaring solo. Learning “White Room” will broaden your musical horizons and introduce you to some interesting chord voicings and melodic ideas.

These three Cream songs offer a fantastic starting point for any guitarist looking to explore the music of this iconic band, and to follow Clapton’s rocky road through the blues. They provide a great balance of challenging and rewarding material, and they will undoubtedly improve your playing in various aspects. So, grab your guitar, crank up the amp, and get ready to dive into the world of Cream! Happy playing! While you are here and interested in learning guitar why not check out this cool guitar course for building speed on guitar with Rob Mills an ex Diamondhead lead guitarist who previously featured in an interview here on the site.