Crossroads | TAB
Let’s break down how to play this iconic improvised performance note for note—after all, this is music history.
Intro
The intro begins with the riff. Pay close attention to the small details, as they define the feel:
- Clapton often mixes straight rhythms with triplets.
- The first beat is a quarter note in bar one, with the open A ringing through—this never happens again.
- The A9 is achieved by playing both strings 2 and 3.
- In bar 8, the A9 is not followed by a 3rd above.
Verse
The verse blends the honky-tonk idea with the dominant 7th riff. Make sure you really drive the rhythm—this is not played in a laid-back way.
Solo
Towards the end of the intro, we use licks based on the minor pentatonic with an added 3rd, which also reflects the vocal melody.
As the solo begins, there’s a noticeable lift, with the opening phrases drawing from F# minor pentatonic/A major pentatonic. The shift back to A minor pentatonic happens in the bar before moving to the IV chord.
Using the minor pentatonic of chord I over chord IV is a common sound, and this blanket scale idea continues through the first half of the solo.
In the second half, the solo opens with long bends in a Cm-shaped A minor pentatonic. We then move up to the Am shape, only returning to the Cm shape to catch the minor 3rd and b7th on strings 4 and 5.
As we reach the final D7 (chord IV), Clapton briefly shifts to A major pentatonic/F# minor pentatonic. This is relatively rare, as the minor sound is more commonly used here. This move to a major tonality gives the solo a more uplifting, resolved ending.
Once you can play the full TAB, begin to move away from it. Use these ideas as a foundation for improvisation, aiming to stop overthinking and instead play more freely and expressively.
Remember the core language:
- A minor pentatonic
- Add the 3rd
- Add the 6th
- F# minor pentatonic
- A major pentatonic
Use the original recording as inspiration, and the chord chart as your guide.
Crossroads Backing Tracks + TAB | Related Pages
Crossroads | Chords + Lyrics
Learn how to play the live version of Crossroads by Cream using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| A7 | D7 | A7 | A7 |
I went down to the crossroads, fell down on my knee…
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