I Tried Learning Cliffs of Dover in 1 DAY. Here's What Happened...

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  • čas přidán 26. 04. 2024
  • Celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Fender Strat with Uncle Ben and my friends at Sweetwater HERE: sweetwater.sjv.io/R5Vg02
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    This week, ALL my Patrons get a TON of bonus goods! You'll get a SUPER EXTENDED 38 minute long AD-FREE cut of this video with WAY more detail and practice footage, PLUS my transcription of Cliffs of Dover, PLUS the Axer FX Ben Dover patch I made to use in this video! Sign up today!
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    You good buddy Uncle Ben Eller here tried learning the legendary intro solo to Cliffs of Dover by Eric Johnson in just ONE DAY.... here's what happened!
    In this video, I'm bringing you along for a mega challenge as I try my best to master this insane solo. I'll take you through my transcription process, details about Eric's signature downwards pickslanting technique, tips on how to practice this stuff, and SO much more! I'm also gonna show you something about this song that may potentially ruin it for you forever (you can thank my wife for this one)!!!
    Using my amazing Fender American Ultra Stratocaster into the Fractal Audio AXE FX 3. Grab the patch I made on my Patreon page now!
    What song should I attempt to learn at hyper speed next? Let me know in the comments!
  • Hudba

Komentáře • 633

  • @BenEller
    @BenEller  Před 21 dnem +62

    Thanks for watching my attempt to learn Cliffs of Dover by Eric Johnson in one day!!! Watch the super extended ad-free cut here, plus get my Ben Dover AXE FX 3 patch and super accurate transcription here: www.patreon.com/posts/103157404?

    • @eyeofefil
      @eyeofefil Před 21 dnem +2

      Love it uncle Ben!

    • @baduktiger7661
      @baduktiger7661 Před 21 dnem

      czcams.com/video/2BijTkVGAQU/video.html

    • @StratOCasterMIJ90
      @StratOCasterMIJ90 Před 21 dnem +1

      Excellent choice of instrument, if I do say so myself ;)

    • @Hollowbethynam-vz6ug
      @Hollowbethynam-vz6ug Před 21 dnem

      Why do it ? we need original songs from people.

    • @reaganbrowneofficialyoutube
      @reaganbrowneofficialyoutube Před 21 dnem +1

      I always run into the exact same problems that you ran into. so many things that Eric does on the guitar sprains the brain. Haha

  • @tomgsk
    @tomgsk Před 21 dnem +123

    “This shit is hard, really fucking hard” too right man. I finally managed to nail the first few bars at tempo then was fist pumping for the next 10 minutes. Small wins felt god like honestly

  • @andywoodmusic
    @andywoodmusic Před 21 dnem +78

    EJ is the goat. I love how he is like “oh yeah, I know that lick”
    You nailed it when u said he never plays it the same way twice. He has “those licks” all over the fretboard in every key in every position.
    Nicely done amigo!

    • @BenEller
      @BenEller  Před 21 dnem +13

      Put er there amigo! 🤚 thanks for the phone a friend option haha

  • @RayzaEFC
    @RayzaEFC Před 21 dnem +79

    You done better in 1 day than I will in a 100 years

  • @bleepblabloop
    @bleepblabloop Před 19 dny +15

    Just know that not only did Eric use his Gibson ES-335 for a lot of his recordings, he used it to record Cliffs of Dover. That's where his airy, mid rangey tone comes from.

    • @michaelmaier7262
      @michaelmaier7262 Před 16 dny

      OR split the difference and get the semi-hollow EJ Strat!

    • @TCMx3
      @TCMx3 Před 14 dny

      Both the 335 and the 54 were used on this track.

    • @bleepblabloop
      @bleepblabloop Před 14 dny

      @@TCMx3 the 54 for only part of the solo mid way through.

    • @D-Day-fb3pw
      @D-Day-fb3pw Před dnem

      Ahhh, but what speaker and cab? That also affects the tone 💯

    • @aaronsinger
      @aaronsinger Před 6 hodinami

      That does make a lot of sense, especially the airy part.

  • @CruedEP
    @CruedEP Před 16 dny +5

    And just think, for 10 minutes before the song actually starts, he sits there and runs through about 487,271 variations and combos of this whole passage.

  • @axepraise
    @axepraise Před 21 dnem +26

    You rock uncle Ben! You didn't just attempt to play it, you had to Create your Ben Dover tone, Learn it, Tab it, Film it, Then play it! Insane! Thank you for taking the time!

    • @DanJayMusic
      @DanJayMusic Před 17 dny

      uhuhuhhu you said bend over uhuhuhuh

  • @Feverdream7777
    @Feverdream7777 Před 20 dny +15

    You forgot the most important part of being Eric Johnson, you actually use the Tone Knob on the bridge pickup.

  • @SamBarvels
    @SamBarvels Před 21 dnem +104

    “Look at that dog!” -Uncle Ben

    • @BenEller
      @BenEller  Před 21 dnem +13

      That thing looked wild!!!

    • @SamBarvels
      @SamBarvels Před 21 dnem +1

      @@BenEller Are you sure wild? Or was it…..WYLDE?

    • @infinidominion
      @infinidominion Před 21 dnem +1

      His name was Eric Dogson

    • @zenlandzipline
      @zenlandzipline Před 21 dnem +2

      @@BenElleryou know what’s funny…there is a video somewhere on the tube of EJ playing a show, and out of nowhere a dog runs onto the stage. Eric looks surprised, but keeps playing.

    • @DannyHood-j
      @DannyHood-j Před 19 dny

      That dog shit on his lawn?

  • @hexpaul1714
    @hexpaul1714 Před 21 dnem +14

    I’ve been trying to learn this off an on since quarantine. One hour after watching this I’m already playing it faster and cleaner than ever. Thanks uncle Ben!

  • @uneartheros
    @uneartheros Před 21 dnem +26

    Please do more of these vids of you learning songs/riffs/solos!! They’re great inspiration for us step dads. Seeing a fantastic guitar player learning, really puts into perspective the amount of work and persistence it takes to become fantastic.

    • @michaeleaster1815
      @michaeleaster1815 Před 21 dnem +2

      really great and the self-deprecating humor is a winner (reminiscent of Joe Bonamassa)

  • @GnRmike
    @GnRmike Před 21 dnem +10

    KC and JoJo😂😂😂. Thanks Uncle Ben, I can’t un-hear it now either 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

  • @aaronkaaimarino
    @aaronkaaimarino Před 21 dnem +5

    I once watched guitarist Alex Hutchings learn Cliffs Of Dover in basically a day, and was ready to play the entire song for a press filled product launch party! It was for the Roland Eric Johnson Blues Cube Tone Capsule. Crazy how good Alex is. 👍

  • @halfhourpowerhour
    @halfhourpowerhour Před 21 dnem +6

    “Did he just say making f**k?” Love the shirt.

  • @silvertear87
    @silvertear87 Před 21 dnem +15

    I had the pleasure of seeing him play this as his encore. Absolutely incredible tone and technique. So glad you're going after this one!

    • @silvertear87
      @silvertear87 Před 21 dnem +1

      Would also like to add using your ears and a DAW is the way to go. I try to only use tabs when I'm REALLY stuck. You retain so much more when you learn it on your own

  • @michaelwade379
    @michaelwade379 Před 21 dnem +6

    I've worked on it on and off for decades, managed to get it close at one point. So many great lines to bring into your own. Then there is his iconic tone, I gave up trying to get that right lol!

  • @jamesgoddard2321
    @jamesgoddard2321 Před 21 dnem +13

    I saw EJ test-drive this in a club in the mid-80s before A Via Musicom came out and I remember he had a much longer intro for it, kind of like a whole guitar solo passage for about a minute or two, then noticed when the record came out that it became much more condensed and economical. I had no idea at the time how legendary that intro would be, although it has always seemed blisteringly impressive (I still struggle with just the chorus!). Nice job working it up Ben, and great job with the tone on that patch. It’s phenomenal.

    • @Lance37a
      @Lance37a Před 21 dnem +4

      His intro on Austin City limits in the 80's is legendary.

    • @metalheadrelic9873
      @metalheadrelic9873 Před 16 dny

      ​@@Lance37aI remember that performance on ACL. My teenage mind was blown. 🤯

  • @keenanwhitham4920
    @keenanwhitham4920 Před 18 dny +2

    EJ is one of the very few guitarists that have masterful precision and speed but still maintain the raw emotion in everything he plays. That guitar sings.

  • @andrewpappas9311
    @andrewpappas9311 Před 21 dnem +7

    Still remember being blown away by this song after hearing it for the first time on Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock and I'm still baffled every time I hear it, Eric Johnson is a fucking beast and I still love it

    • @mikesurel5040
      @mikesurel5040 Před 21 dnem

      I still remember being blown away hearing it when it was first released.
      I am going to go take my Geritol and have spot of tea and a nap now.
      This is one of those timeless pieces of music.

  • @eddiejr540
    @eddiejr540 Před 21 dnem +13

    I learned this from tab back in the 1800’s when it first came out…I never could get that beginning part up to speed…well done Uncle Ben 👍

    • @zenlandzipline
      @zenlandzipline Před 21 dnem +6

      Wow. You’re really old. Like…REALLY old.

    • @vorpalblades
      @vorpalblades Před 21 dnem +6

      I was totally a thresher back in 1887.

    • @eddiejr540
      @eddiejr540 Před 20 dny +3

      @@zenlandzipline ….hahaha…but it feels like yesterday 🤣

  • @13lake
    @13lake Před 21 dnem +14

    It's the Transformers 40th Anniversary this year. Perfect timing for Ben's guide to the guitar parts for "The Transformers Theme" by Lion on the original 1986 TFTM soundtrack!

  • @rustyshackleford288
    @rustyshackleford288 Před 21 dnem +3

    Been learning basically this song and nothing else for 3-4 months. Have the intro 95%down, the first 2 verses and choruses 95% and half the solo. It's a beast, I can't believe you learned so much of the intro in 1 day

  • @SonOvLaw
    @SonOvLaw Před 21 dnem +30

    Not trying to stir up trouble here, but I heard ol' Douglas Bubbletrousers knocked this solo out just before lunch.

    • @BenEller
      @BenEller  Před 21 dnem +5

      I’m no Bubbletrousers, that’s for sure!

    • @Punchy361
      @Punchy361 Před 21 dnem

      Douglas Bubbletrousers is a cowardly drunk!

    • @scsreaper
      @scsreaper Před 18 dny

      Great video, edutainment supreme (with sour cream) gotta ask though, been wracking my brain for months and Bubbletrousers is still going over my head.

  • @han1075
    @han1075 Před 21 dnem +7

    Hey Ben, GREAT JOB! I was lucky enough to watch Eric play this from about 5 feet away a few times back in 1987 when he played small clubs and bars. Truly mind blowing! To this day I still can't wrap my head around that level of talent. Although completely different playing styles, Eric reminds me of EVH in that many times I have to ask just how did they dream this stuff up in the first place?

    • @gneric85
      @gneric85 Před 20 dny

      He's been playing it live in one form or another since 1984. I first heard of him thru a guitar magazine that had the breakdown of his song Zap.

  • @captaincanada8872
    @captaincanada8872 Před 21 dnem +2

    I LOVE these types of vids Ben… you should do more like this.

  • @michaeljulius5895
    @michaeljulius5895 Před 21 dnem +1

    One of the best lessons I've seen on CZcams. Thanks Ben!

  • @FernandoOliveira1979
    @FernandoOliveira1979 Před 19 dny +1

    I have been following you since forever. Great content!

  • @sepiarain
    @sepiarain Před 21 dnem +2

    This is such a joy to watch. His melodic vocabulary is dreamy and cosmic, with tasteful bluesy parenthesis and seeing you work through it quickly but respectfully is so impressive.

  • @chuckcunningham8618
    @chuckcunningham8618 Před 20 dny +3

    Very nice work Uncle Ben! Thank you for this classic broken down into digestible parts! Rock on

  • @hotblackdesiato3451
    @hotblackdesiato3451 Před 20 dny +1

    Ben, your lessons and videos make the world a little more betterer.

  • @WyattScott
    @WyattScott Před 21 dnem +6

    I am a huge Tourets guy fan as well, 😂

  • @BrianH020
    @BrianH020 Před 21 dnem +3

    Dude, major props for laying it all out there for the world to see. That last lick coming right on the heels of the hybrid w/pedal tone is a first class B#@* for sure! And then the pure harmonic to top the whole thing off... Definitely well done Sir! 🤘

  • @jimforce2690
    @jimforce2690 Před 15 dny

    It was fun seeing a bit of the process, Thanks for that.

  • @christophorhill2320
    @christophorhill2320 Před 21 dnem +2

    You're killin it, man. I got goosebumps when you played it straight through at the end - very inspiring effort! 👊😎

  • @OverpoweredByMonk
    @OverpoweredByMonk Před 19 dny +1

    Love your channel man! Keep on keepin on!

  • @iuffjfu
    @iuffjfu Před 7 dny

    Awesome job bro !!! Seriously great video

  • @richmonksgtr
    @richmonksgtr Před 20 dny +3

    If I’m not mistaken, it was recorded on a ES-335. 🤷🏽‍♂️

  • @fabiotarcisio2269
    @fabiotarcisio2269 Před 20 dny +3

    The last part, where he loops those 5 notes 3 times, at first i learned exactly the way u did in the video, but after analysing him playing on that famous performance in austin city limits, i felt like he does hammer ons from knowhere on the last note of each loop(5th string) to avoid this weird picking movement. Damn dude, impressive how far u got in just one day, u rock

  • @Double_0_7_Strings
    @Double_0_7_Strings Před 21 dnem +2

    This was me learning tornado of souls a little while ago. Luckily, I had your incredibly well made video to assist my shred pilgrimage. Thanks, uncle Ben.

  • @jimmyowenmusic
    @jimmyowenmusic Před 21 dnem +1

    Love it Ben ❤ getting that mix between being a "touch" player and the faster stuff is such a tricky thing to nail and you smashed it brother ❤

  • @marksr12
    @marksr12 Před 21 dnem +1

    Fantastic video and cover of that intro, Ben. Eric's playing always reminds me of that warning on a firecracker, "Light Fuse and Get Away"

  • @richtoomsen9100
    @richtoomsen9100 Před 20 dny +1

    Great job on this. Appreciate your transcription skills, your playing skills, your explanation skills, and your humility skills as you approached this holy grail of guitar licks.

  • @Mythki11er
    @Mythki11er Před 21 dnem +3

    I put this song on the Bluetooth at work and several people that I NEVER would have expected to know it recognized it. They knew it from Guitar Hero. I thought that was pretty cool

  • @ChanceSteward
    @ChanceSteward Před 21 dnem +2

    I still think this is the best guitar instrumental ever recorded.
    Was super excited to see you post this, ive seen dozens of videos on how to best play this but this is easily the best. Loved seeing you break this down in the classic Uncle Ben way, you've just got such a relatable way of teaching. Great job as always!

  • @ScottfromBaltimore
    @ScottfromBaltimore Před 21 dnem +1

    I appreciate the tips on getting the hard parts down.

  • @guitaristinterrupted3558

    Loved this lesson, saves time for us busy dads! Thank you Ben!

  • @hexn00b52
    @hexn00b52 Před 21 dnem +1

    Epic song.
    Great job uncle Ben!

  • @TheEwingTube
    @TheEwingTube Před 20 dny +2

    I’ve played for, a lot more years than I care to admit, and what you did in a day would take me a year or more to do. Excellent job!

  • @leaharrington4472
    @leaharrington4472 Před 21 dnem +3

    Dude, i encountered this song first as a transcription in a magazine, back when i had been playing for about a year and the record was new, and tried to learn it from there... then bought the album and realized i had a looooooooong way to go. Bravo to you!

  • @joker57
    @joker57 Před 21 dnem +1

    Thanks Ben

  • @dominicijavier1575
    @dominicijavier1575 Před 21 dnem +2

    lol every guitar player in the 90s who tried to learn this song knew it was all my life if you slow it down.

  • @Spider._.dust_music
    @Spider._.dust_music Před 21 dnem +1

    Nice job Ben🤘🤘🤘

  • @michaelgiordano6490
    @michaelgiordano6490 Před 17 dny

    Holy crap! Great job!!!

  • @ErikCIng
    @ErikCIng Před 19 dny +2

    That Strat is noice!

  • @GuillermoSmyser
    @GuillermoSmyser Před 21 dnem +1

    Lovely. The colors on that strat are like hot cinnamon roll icing to my eyes. Delicious.
    And this was exactly the video I needed. I was just about to tackle CoD myself.

  • @Unibabble
    @Unibabble Před 16 dny

    I admire your willingness to show the process of learning a difficult piece. I especially like that you are willing to show the failures, and the work you did to understand and overcome them. I see a lot of videos of perfectly performed feats (not just musical ones mind you) that would make you think that advanced skills are just something that happen, or that you are born with, when they are usually the result of a whole lot of analysis, thinking, trial and error, patience, hard work. Great video, thanks so much for sharing it!

  • @JohnWalker262
    @JohnWalker262 Před 12 hodinami

    I have been trying to figure this out since it was released. Nice job Ben!

  • @DisruptedSinner
    @DisruptedSinner Před 21 dnem +2

    Great video, and I love how you show the progress ups and downs and potential ways to overcome certain areas. That's a brutal intro to tackle for sure. One of the tunes I'd love to see you cover is Technical Difficulties by Paul Gilbert. That's a hard one for me. Thanks, Uncle Ben! :)

  • @thegolfingmusician6345
    @thegolfingmusician6345 Před 20 dny +2

    As guitarists, Why do we subject ourselves to such torcher. I laughed when you were dropping f-bombs in that intro. Reminds me of someone else. 😂

  • @io3010
    @io3010 Před 19 dny +1

    Ben, your Cliffs sound awesome!! Thanks for sharing this with us! We love EJ!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • @dannyspitzer1267
    @dannyspitzer1267 Před 21 dnem +1

    Thanks Uncle Ben
    Long-time EJ fan

  • @justsomeguy727
    @justsomeguy727 Před 21 dnem +1

    Thanks for showing the process and all that . Its always nice to see even amazing players like uncle ben are just as human and have to practice just as much as anybody else. Its easy to forget how much work and time gets put in when we're so used to seeing the perfect final product recordings.

    • @BenEller
      @BenEller  Před 21 dnem +3

      Thanks a lot for watching! It’s really a goal of mine to bring some more REALITY to the online guitar scene. Perfection is boring and discouraging to watch all the time.

  • @chrisdaviesguitar
    @chrisdaviesguitar Před 21 dnem +5

    Troy Grady is awesome.

  • @reverb508
    @reverb508 Před 21 dnem +2

    And then there's a whole song after that!

  • @clintwatts9863
    @clintwatts9863 Před 18 dny

    Great vid sir

  • @algill71
    @algill71 Před 21 dnem +3

    Tried and failed to break the COD many times...this will help.
    PS...nice to bump into you at the the Beacon a few weeks ago ...cheers!

    • @BenEller
      @BenEller  Před 21 dnem

      Hey man, cheers! And good luck!

  • @jfrockon
    @jfrockon Před 18 dny

    Great lesson Ben..

  • @heathdavidsonmusic
    @heathdavidsonmusic Před 20 dny +1

    You're my peer hero! This is fantastic.

  • @TheZynMan
    @TheZynMan Před 21 dnem +1

    good stuff, well done

  • @giveusascream
    @giveusascream Před 21 dnem +1

    Nailed it

  • @PostalPaulyShredz
    @PostalPaulyShredz Před 21 dnem +1

    Well done, young man. Super challenging piece.

  • @actualturtle2421
    @actualturtle2421 Před 20 dny +1

    I always like to watch other people's learning process. This was really insightful and I nabbed a trick or two to help me learn more better. Can't believe I never thought to use flex time!

  • @GregsGarage
    @GregsGarage Před 21 dnem +1

    Not too shabby at all Ben! I'll grab your transcription and start pounding my head against the wall!!!

  • @jamwayofaiken-augustarockb7643

    I think this is my favorite video. You've made so far. I've never tried to learn that song. Now. You make me wanna try to learn a sound

    • @BenEller
      @BenEller  Před 18 dny

      That means a lot! Thanks!

  • @pauljams6565
    @pauljams6565 Před 16 dny +1

    Thx again Uncle Ben🎉✨

  • @mf9309
    @mf9309 Před 16 dny

    Nice job! Subscribed!

  • @Rico__B
    @Rico__B Před 16 dny +1

    Awesome playing!

  • @robbaultman2447
    @robbaultman2447 Před 21 dnem +1

    Ben - you are the best. Love watching your vids.

  • @Nuker54
    @Nuker54 Před 21 dnem +1

    Sick!!!👍

  • @RoMurphy
    @RoMurphy Před 19 dny +1

    Amazing work

  • @breathtimebreath4934
    @breathtimebreath4934 Před 17 dny

    Thank you brother!!!!

  • @patandmacmusic
    @patandmacmusic Před 21 dnem +1

    Cracking the Code is what brought me to you. I love CtC but I find that you have been able to break down the concepts in a way that makes a lot more sense to my lizard brain

  • @tonyferguson9315
    @tonyferguson9315 Před 21 dnem +1

    Haha just yesterday I was trying to learn the famous live version of the song so funny timing this came out! Thanks Ben!

  • @waynepatton689
    @waynepatton689 Před 20 dny +1

    Dude! I love it!!

  • @isaiahmarquez9717
    @isaiahmarquez9717 Před 21 dnem +1

    You’re one bad hombre, Uncle Ben. 🤙🏼🔥

  • @deltalegendsguitaramplific5450

    Thanks Uncle Ben !

  • @JimDewdGuitars
    @JimDewdGuitars Před 20 dny +2

    Well my weekend will now be spent in frustration trying to learn this for the 70th time 😂 thanks Ben

  • @dangolguitartech
    @dangolguitartech Před 21 dnem +1

    Sweet Brown!🤠

  • @TheSeraphim75
    @TheSeraphim75 Před 20 dny +1

    I can't unhear Kci & Jojo now!

  • @musicbypetegonzales4814
    @musicbypetegonzales4814 Před 20 dny +1

    Great video!

  • @timothystorm9576
    @timothystorm9576 Před 21 dnem +1

    Fun video, Ben! I do the same sort of freeze frame approach to when trying to nail riffs too. Think it's just sort of something our brain does naturally.

  • @stx4905
    @stx4905 Před 20 dny +2

    Excellent video as always!
    Would love to see the same "dissection" of Eugen's trick bag...

  • @trevorseghers5415
    @trevorseghers5415 Před 21 dnem +1

    great lesson 😮

  • @SimonEichingerGuitarist
    @SimonEichingerGuitarist Před 20 dny +1

    Incredibly accurate lesson. :)
    This intro has always been hell for me as a natural upward pickslanter...

  • @StuPedassol
    @StuPedassol Před 21 dnem +1

    'Ain't nobody got time fuh dat!"
    Thanks, Uncy Bang!

  • @kristjan1338
    @kristjan1338 Před 18 dny

    Didn't really care about learning the song but when I heard your way of looking at the shapes and techniques I have to learn it! Genious insight man, thanks:)

  • @danielsaturnino5715
    @danielsaturnino5715 Před 21 dnem +1

    Well done Uncle Ben. Bendover was a genius play.

  • @meljohnson5579
    @meljohnson5579 Před 20 dny +1

    Yes 😊

  • @TechMetalRules
    @TechMetalRules Před 18 dny

    Love Strats. Love EJ. Love Troy Grady. Love downward pick slanting. LOVE that "Berserker" shirt!

  • @Dan-zq5wt
    @Dan-zq5wt Před 21 dnem +1

    I love this guy! We all need humor when hacking through the most challenging licks of the great masters.