Learn how to play the iconic intro to Eric Clapton’s “Tears in Heaven” on acoustic guitar! In this quick guitar tutorial, we break down the fundamental chord shapes, inversions, and counting techniques needed to build a smooth foundation before diving into the main fingerpicking pattern.
Watch the full tutorial below.
Key Chords & Inversions in the Intro
To master this fingerstyle intro, it helps to understand the chord inversions and voicings used throughout the progression [02:07]:
- A Major: Your starting root-position harmony [00:11].
- E/G# (E Major First Inversion): Played with the G\sharp as the lowest note on the 6th string [00:21].
- F#m (F-sharp Minor): Plucked using the 6th, 3rd, and 2nd strings [00:44].
- A/E (A Major Second Inversion): Lift the F\sharp to let the open E serve as the bass note [00:58].
- D/F# (D Major First Inversion): Framed with F\sharp as the lowest bass note [01:15].
- Dmaj7/E (D Major 7th Third Inversion): Adding the open E string (7\text{th}) to transition back [01:32].
- E7 / E Major: Lowering to the G\sharp bass note before resolving back to A Major [01:57].
Right-Hand Technique & Rhythm Tips
- Plucking Hand Setup: Use your thumb, index, and middle fingers to pluck the 6th, 3rd, and 2nd strings cleanly [00:32].
- Count in 8th Notes: Before attempting complex fingerpicking, practice changing these shapes while counting out loud: 1 – and – 2 – and – 3 – and – 4 – and [02:22].
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