Tears In Heaven Guitar Lesson (Eric Clapton Unplugged)

Very few songs ever created move the world like this one…

The story behind it is powerful and emotional, and the chords and melody fit the sentiment of the tune perfectly.

It’s a complete masterpiece from beginning to end.  

So grab your guitar and let’s dive into this “Tears in Heaven” guitar lesson. 

What is the story behind Tears in Heaven? 

Tears in Heaven" was written by Eric Clapton and Will Jennings. It was released in January 1992 and is one of Clapton's most iconic and personal songs. 

The song was written about the tragic death of his four-year-old son, Conor. Conor fell from a 53rd-floor window in a New York City apartment building. The lyrics powerfully express Clapton's grief and his contemplations about the afterlife and whether he would be reunited with his son in heaven. 

Eric Clapton co-wrote "Tears in Heaven" with songwriter Will Jennings, who initially hesitated to write about such a personal and tragic subject but was ultimately persuaded by Clapton's determination to express his feelings through music. 

The song was first recorded for the soundtrack of the 1991 film "Rush," in which Clapton also composed the score. It was later included in his "Unplugged" album, released in 1992. The version from the "Unplugged" album was recorded live at Bray Studios, England, in front of a small audience, giving it an intimate and raw feel. It was this version that propelled the song to national recognition. 

The "Unplugged" album itself won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year.

The song remains a significant part of Clapton's legacy. It also deeply resonates with many fans due to its heartfelt and emotional nature.

Is Tears in Heaven easy to play on guitar?

“Tears In Heaven” is not a beginner guitar song. You will need to know many advanced techniques to be able to play it. Like sophisticated slash chords, key changes, fingerstyle guitar, and “thumb over” technique to play it like Eric Clapton. 

What Key is Tears In Heaven In?

Eric Clapton’s recording of “Tears in Heaven” from the Unplugged record is in the key of A major for the majority of the song. Then in the bridge section, it modulates to the key of G major but starts on the IV chord C. Exiting the bridge, it modulates back to the home key of A major and ends the tune.  

Tears In Heaven Chords 

There are 20 chords you’ll need to know to play “Tears in Heaven”. They are:, A, E/G#, F#m7, F#m7/E, D/F#, E7sus4, E7, A/E, E, Db/F, A7/E, F#, F#7sus4, F#7, Bm7, D/E, C, G/B, Am7, and G.

Many of these chords are slash chords. A slash chord is a type of chord notation that shows a chord with a particular bass note that differs from the chord's root. It is written in the format "Chord/Bass," where "Chord" indicates the chord to be played, and "Bass" specifies the note that should be played in the bass.

For example, E/G#. This is an E chord with the G# note played in the bass. 

Tears In Heaven Lead Guitar Lesson

Backing up Eric Clapton on the Unplugged record is a masterful guitarist by the name of Andy Fairweather Low. Here is a breakdown of his most iconic licks:

Conclusion: 

In conclusion, "Tears in Heaven" is a deeply emotional and musically intricate song. It showcases Eric Clapton's ability to channel his personal tragedy into a timeless masterpiece. 

The story behind the song adds a deeper layer, making it resonate with fans around the world. Learning to play it on guitar is a rewarding challenge, requiring mastery of advanced techniques and a variety of chords. 

Take your time with this one and to help you make sense of all the chords and better understand the fretboard make sure to grab my free fretboard guide PDF right here: