Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Tiny Dancer
  • Browser DAWs
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Restring your guitar
  1. Tutorials
  2. Guitar Lessons & Tutorials

Quick licks: intermediate #7

News
By Guitar Techniques
Published 26 October 2011

Merle Travis picking and Clapton lead

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Intermediate lick one: Merle Travis picking

Intermediate lick one: Merle Travis picking

A Merle Travis influenced fingerstyle exercise that requires palm muting the bass notes to make them stand out. You'll want to create as much independence as possible between the treble and bass strings and give this exercise a relaxed swing at 95 bpm.

Page 1 of 2
Page 1 of 2
Intermediate lick two: Cream/Clapton lead

Intermediate lick two: Cream/Clapton lead

A gem in the style of Eric Clapton's classic Cream era. The entire lick is played an octave above where it is written at the 17th fret position in the A blues scale (A, C, D, Eb, E, G, A). Be sure to apply a singing vibrato where indicated. Bridge humbucker and Marshall distortion are ideal.

Page 2 of 2
Page 2 of 2
Guitar Techniques
Read more
Chords
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials Confused by guitar tabs and notation? Use this complete guide to reading music for guitar
 
 
Eric Clapton performing on stage with Cream during their first live appearance in 1966
Artists How Eric Clapton’s mission to spread the blues gospel was the making of the first guitar ‘god’
 
 
Human League
Artists Replicate the sonic magic of the Human League’s defining synth-pop anthem
 
 
Steely Dan
Artists From the Purdie shuffle to its extended jazz chords - analysing Steely Dan's Babylon Sisters
 
 
Sadler Vaden takes a slide solo on a Rickenbacker
Artists “It’s a funny thing to imagine but it changes how you play”: Sadler Vaden's approach to slide guitar
 
 
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE -- Episode 1904 -- Pictured: Musical guest Paul McCartney performs "Days We Left Behind" on Saturday, May 16, 2026 -- (Photo by: Lloyd Bishop/NBC via Getty Images)
Artists Paul McCartney shows you how to play the mystery guitar chord that kickstarted his new album
 
 
Latest in Guitar Lessons & Tutorials
Guitar Tricks Summer Black Friday promo
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials Get almost $1k of guitar tuition from our number one online platform for only $99 with this epic Summer Black Friday deal – over 11,000 lessons, plus bonus gifts
 
 
Chords
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials Confused by guitar tabs and notation? Use this complete guide to reading music for guitar
 
 
Scale
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials "Don't play scales just to get faster. Speed is a happy by-product of playing more accurately": Beginner Guitar Lessons - nailing scales
 
 
Guitar maintenance
Guitars "There isn't one correct answer": 6 things you need you need know about how to clean and condition your guitar fretboard
 
 
Tom Morello
Artists How Tom Morello used his guitar to drill into the off-limits domain of the turntablist
 
 
Close up of a person playing guitar
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials With a massive 89% discount, $99 for a year's worth of Guitar Tricks online lessons is the best way to upgrade your guitar playing this Black Friday
 
 
Latest in News
Singer-songwriter, music producer and member of Coldplay Chris Martin performs in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026
Gigs & Festivals 'I thought it was crap": Gallagher, Rooney and others share their views on World Cup half time show
 
 
Jennifer Finch of music group L7 performs onstage at The Art Of Elysium Presents WE ARE HEAR'S HEAVEN 2020 at Hollywood Palladium on January 04, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.
Bands “A true original who lived entirely on her own terms”: L7 announce that bassist Jennifer Finch has died
 
 
roget
Tech "If I was going away on a trip and could only bring one keyboard, I’d bring that one": Rogét Chahayed on the stage keyboard he can't live without
 
 
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Mick Jagger during the photocall for the launch of the Rolling Stones' 25th album "Foreign Tongues" at St Clement Hotel on July 08, 2026 in London, England.
Artists “I said, ‘What does it matter?": Mick Jagger didn’t see the point in using tape on the new Stones album
 
 
Lorde performs during day three of Glastonbury festival 2025 at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 27, 2025 in Glastonbury, England.
Artists "I’m going to go out on a limb and say we don’t want this”: Lorde slams Spotify's About the Song feature
 
 
fdrumbrute
Samples SampleRadar: 493 free hardware drum machine samples
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...