This Before You Accuse Me guitar lesson breaks down one of Eric Clapton’s most soulful blues performances. Originally written by Bo Diddley, Clapton’s interpretation brings a more relaxed, acoustic-driven approach that’s perfect for intermediate players looking to work on their blues fundamentals. The song combines straightforward chord progressions with subtle fingerpicking elements and classic blues phrasing that’ll help you develop that authentic blues feel. What makes this tune special is how it balances accessibility with genuine blues character, giving you plenty of room to work on your rhythm, timing, and expression without overwhelming technical demands.
Song Story & Context
Clapton recorded his version of “Before You Accuse Me” during the sessions for his 1989 album “Journeyman,” though it gained more prominence when he performed it during his famous MTV Unplugged session in 1992. The song showcases Clapton’s ability to take a classic Bo Diddley rhythm and blues number and transform it into something more intimate and acoustic-focused. What’s fascinating about this version is how Clapton strips away the electric intensity of the original while maintaining all its emotional impact. He uses a combination of fingerpicking and light strumming that creates a conversational feel, almost like he’s telling you the story directly. The recording features Clapton on acoustic guitar with minimal accompaniment, making it an excellent study piece for players who want to understand how much music you can create with just an acoustic guitar and solid technique.
What You’ll Learn
- Classic 12-bar blues progression in the key of E
- Fingerpicking patterns combined with strumming techniques
- Open chord voicings and smooth transitions between E, A, and B7
- Blues rhythm guitar fundamentals and timing
- How to add subtle bass note emphasis for that classic blues feel
- Proper muting technique to keep your rhythm tight and clean
Chord Progression Breakdown
The foundation of “Before You Accuse Me” sits on a traditional 12-bar blues in E major, but Clapton’s approach makes it feel fresh and conversational. You’ll spend most of your time on three main chords: E major, A major, and B7.
For the E major chord, use your standard open position but pay attention to how you’re hitting the bass notes. Clapton often emphasizes the low E string with his thumb or pick, giving the chord a solid foundation. Place your second finger on the 2nd fret of the A string and your third finger on the 2nd fret of the D string. Keep your first finger free – you won’t need it for the basic chord, but having it available helps with transitions.
The A major chord transition is where many players stumble. Instead of lifting all your fingers and replanting them, try sliding your hand position slightly. Your second finger moves from the A string to the D string, staying on the 2nd fret. Add your first finger to the 2nd fret of the G string and your third finger to the 2nd fret of the B string. This fingering might feel different if you’re used to other A major fingerings, but it sets you up better for the smooth transitions Clapton uses.
For B7, you’ll use the standard open position: second finger on the 2nd fret of the A string, first finger on the 1st fret of the D string, and third finger on the 2nd fret of the G string. The key with B7 in this song is the timing. It often comes in for just two beats before returning to E, so practice that quick change until it feels natural.
Strumming Pattern & Rhythm
Clapton’s rhythm approach on “Before You Accuse Me” blends fingerpicking with light strumming in a way that creates a relaxed, conversational feel. The basic pattern emphasizes beats 1 and 3, but with a slight shuffle feel rather than straight timing.
Start with a simple down-up pattern, hitting the bass note (usually the root of whatever chord you’re playing) on beat 1, then a light upstroke on the “and” of 1. Follow this with a slightly harder downstroke on beat 2, focusing on the middle strings, then another upstroke. This creates a “boom-chicka” pattern that forms the backbone of the song.
The tricky part is adding the fingerpicking elements. Clapton often plucks individual bass notes with his thumb while his fingers handle the higher strings. If you’re more comfortable with a pick, you can simulate this by hitting the bass note with a downstroke, then immediately hitting the higher strings with an upstroke.
Practice the rhythm slowly at first, focusing on keeping the bass notes strong and clear while keeping the higher strings lighter and more percussive. The shuffle feel comes from slightly delaying the upstrokes, giving the whole rhythm a laid-back, bluesy swing.
Tips for Playing This Song
Focus on your bass notes first. Before you worry about complex strumming patterns or fingerpicking, make sure you can play the chord progression with strong, clear bass notes on beats 1 and 3. This foundation is what gives the song its driving feel, and everything else builds on top of it.
Don’t rush the chord changes. One of the most common mistakes is hurrying through the transitions, especially that quick B7 to E change. Practice the chord progression slowly with a metronome, focusing on landing each chord exactly on the beat. The laid-back feel of this song comes from confident timing, not from playing fast.
Use your palm for subtle muting. Rest the side of your picking hand lightly on the strings near the bridge. This adds a percussive quality to your strumming and prevents the chords from ringing out too much, which can muddy the rhythm in a blues context.
Work on string-by-string clarity. Even when you’re strumming, you should be able to hear each string clearly. Practice playing each chord slowly, hitting one string at a time to make sure every note rings out clean. This attention to detail is what separates good blues rhythm playing from just strumming chords.
“Before You Accuse Me” is one of those songs that sounds simple but teaches you fundamental skills you’ll use in countless other blues tunes. Take your time with the rhythm and chord transitions, and don’t forget to play along with the video lesson to get the timing and feel just right.