This is the full guitar lesson for Signe by Eric Clapton.
Clapton wrote Signe in 1992 after the tragic death of his son Conor. Clapton opened with the song for his MTV unplugged live album and played the piece as a beautiful ensemble with fellow guitarist Andy Fairweather Low.
Signe is fairly demanding to play, mainly because of the tricky syncopation, but it really is a lot of fun once you've mastered it.
Alright, let's pick up our guitars and learn how to play Signe!
Song Details:
- Key - A major
- Tuning - standard
- Difficulty - high intermediate
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Signe Guitar Lesson
Really the intro is just two chords (A and A/E) but the rhythm is pretty busy. Make sure that you get this section of the song mastered before moving on, as it'll make learning the rest of it much easier.
Part 2
Often times in Signe the chords are changing off the beat. This will likely be tricky. It may be easiest for you to just try and feel the rhythm, as counting may trip you up.
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Part 3
The C#m7 really adds a great lift when the bridge comes along. It's no harder than any other part of the song but it's far from easy!
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Outro
For the ending you repeat this progression six times. Halfway through on the fourth time round you want to play a little softer and gradually decrease the volume (decrescendo). It's a nice, very tasteful little touch that's worth getting in.
Want to learn more fingerstyle arrangements of famous songs?: Can't Help Falling In Love (Elvis Presley), Take Me Home, Country Roads (John Denver), Don't Look Back In Anger (Oasis), Ticket to Ride (The Beatles), Have You Ever Seen The Rain (Creedence Clearwater Revival).
Alternatively you can browse the whole song catalogue: Song Lesson Library
Let me know what you thought of the lesson in the comments section below. Say what you found hard/easy, what level you're at and what your fingerpicking goals are.
hi, I have to do this piece for an exam and couldn’t get it until I found your lesson. Ive learned more in an hour on this than I thought possible. Thank you.
PS is that an APX 5 (6) 00 your playing?
cheers
Hey, well I’m really glad that I’ve been able to help you out. I’ve always loved this song!
It’s a CPX 500vs. Similar to an APX I guess.
Thanks a lot.
Thank you for the great work it must have been, and all for free. This is so great!
You’re welcome Jens.
To be honest this is the best guitar tutorial I have ever seen. You are great at playing and explaining, thank you so much for uploading!
Thanks Leo, I’m really pleased that you like my lessons.
May have ruined this great song for my wife who has had to listen to my relentless practice! Got it down now and am well pleased. Really clear and thorough lesson. Huge Thanks
Thanks Tom, really glad you enjoyed the lesson.
Really truly! Free ? Wow, Enjoyed learning this from you, thank you so much!
It’s a pleasure Stuart.
Great lesson, thank you very much. In your opinion what is the best type of string to fingerpicking? Mine is too hard to make it (0.12).
Thanks
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. I think the best type of string for fingerpicking is the one you like the best. Try loads and pick your favourite.
thank you so much. it is very helpful.
Pleasure.
Love this. So annoying when tutorials insult your intelligence by over explaining the simplest concepts.
Thanks Zephan, glad you like it.
Thanks. Great tutorial. Really cool to see how you continue to reply to comments left on a year old tutorial.
Thanks Ryan, glad you like the lesson. It’s a great song this one.
Hey, thanks for the fantastic tutorial. I must be going crazy but I can no longer find the tab on the page?
Cheers!
Hey Ray, all the remaining free tabs were removed due to copyright laws. They’ll be back soon but they won’t be free anymore I’m afraid.
Ah man – I was half way through learning the song – what timing! Let us know when they are available again. Thanks!
This one is now back Ray, albeit not free anymore I’m afraid.
Thanks!