Crossroad Blues timing question

daacrusher2001 · July 19th, 2008, 08:22 PM

Probably a simple thing for many of you, so I'm hoping you can help...

I've been working on Crossroad Blues (started with the Cream version) for a little while, and I can't seem to get two aspects of the timing correct. So, I picked up some other versions, including a great live version from Clapton where the song is slowed down quite a bit.

So two questions for those who know this song, and play it as an A shuffle:

First...where does clapton, or anyone, begin to sing on this song...specifically, is it during the D portion of the shuffle, or does it start on the 4-and up stroke, which seems to be the C with a slight bend? Or...is he singing during the A shuffle portion over the top of his little riff?

Second...Does the start of the signature riff always begin with either the open A or the slightly bent C on the 5th string? I can't quite tell...

Thx

nickonbass · July 22nd, 2008, 02:46 AM

"I went down to the crossroads....."

The "down" is on the an just before the 1 of the first beat of the first bar of the 12 bar. ie on the A chord.

So the I went is the lead in

1 an 2 an 3 I went down

(with the 'I' on the an of 3, the 'went' on 4 and the 'down' on an of 4).

Clap that rhythm.

If you clap it slowly you'll get ......... slow hand clap ton

July 19th, 2008, 08:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
daacrusher2001 NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: nj Age: 49 Posts: 9	Crossroad Blues timing question Probably a simple thing for many of you, so I'm hoping you can help... I've been working on Crossroad Blues (started with the Cream version) for a little while, and I can't seem to get two aspects of the timing correct. So, I picked up some other versions, including a great live version from Clapton where the song is slowed down quite a bit. So two questions for those who know this song, and play it as an A shuffle: First...where does clapton, or anyone, begin to sing on this song...specifically, is it during the D portion of the shuffle, or does it start on the 4-and up stroke, which seems to be the C with a slight bend? Or...is he singing during the A shuffle portion over the top of his little riff? Second...Does the start of the signature riff always begin with either the open A or the slightly bent C on the 5th string? I can't quite tell... Thx

July 22nd, 2008, 02:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
nickonbass TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Melbourne Posts: 38	"I went down to the crossroads....." The "down" is on the an just before the 1 of the first beat of the first bar of the 12 bar. ie on the A chord. So the I went is the lead in 1 an 2 an 3 I went down (with the 'I' on the an of 3, the 'went' on 4 and the 'down' on an of 4). Clap that rhythm. If you clap it slowly you'll get ......... slow hand clap ton