A switch to a more song-oriented approach in the early ’70s has garnered Clapton massive popularity as a solo artist ever since, but his recent projects—a Cream reunion in 2005, tours with his own guitar-intensive band, and a pair of 2007 appearances with Steve Winwood—confirm that Clapton’s original flame still burns brightly. Always an elegant player and a pioneer of exquisite tone, E.C. was the first to introduce the kind of smooth, repetitive triplet-based pentatonic figures in Examples 1-4 to the blues-rock pantheon. Practice ’em until they flow like water, then append them with the trio of sweet Clapton-isms in Examples 5-7. Strive for that “Slowhand” vibrato—a study in itself—and watch the sparks fly.