Eric Clapton Wonderful Tonight Guitar Chords & Lesson

I wanted to do a guitar lesson on an Eric Clapton song. But I wanted to target my audience of beginner guitarists. Like Eric Clapton Wonderful Tonight Guitar Chords and more.

Well that’s not so easy when your dealing with such a Super Star Guitarist such as Eric Clapton.

After searching through a lot of his songs. I decided that I will show that Iconic song. Step by step how to play. It’s one of the easy songs on guitar. All of Eric Clapton Wonderful Tonight guitar chords, and lots more.

In this Eric Clapton Wonderful Tonight guitar lesson I will show you:

  • How to play Eric Clapton Wonderful Tonight
  • The Eric Clapton Wonderful Tonight Chords
  • Wonderful Tonight Strumming Pattern
  • Lyrics to Wonderful Tonight
  • Intro Riff to Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton
  • Tab to Wonderful Tonight
  • Bonus Video

That should be enough to get you up and running. So if your ready grab your guitar and lets learn this easy song on guitar; Wonderful Tonight


Guitar Fingerboard Breakthrough

Eric Clapton Wonderful Tonight Guitar Chords

Let’s start with the chords that we will be using in this beginners version of the song. The chords are the same as in the song. But Eric uses Arpeggios. Like I said I wanted to create a lesson that you could understand and play with some practice.

The chords in the song are: G C D Em.

Let me break these down with chord diagrams. If you need help reading a chord diagram you can look at this quick explanation of how to read chord charts.

If your good with reading them take a look at the G chord.

Wonderful Tonight Eric Clapton Guitar Lesson

Making the G Major Open Chord. There are several Ways to place your fingers to make the G Major Chord. I will explain two. You choose which one is more comfortable for you to play.

  • First finger is at the second fret fifth string.
  • Second finger is at the Third fret of the sixth string.
  • Third finger is at the first string on the third fret.
  • Strum all strings when playing the G chord.

The way I play the G is:

  • Second finger is on the fifth string at the second fret.
  • Third finger is on the sixth string at the third fret.
  • Pinkie is on the first string at the third fret.
  • Strum all strings when playing the G chord.

Either way you place your fingers is a G Major chord. It just depends which is easier for you.

Next we have the C Chord. This may be a little hard for you to play due to the stretch when making this chord. Here is a tip. Always play on the tips of your fingers. If you need help with fretting and technique. Take a look at 10 things every beginner guitar player needs to know.


Sharon’s Guitar Academy

Discover a step by step proven process so that you can play guitar like your favorite guitarist

How to Position Your Fingers for C Major Chord

Playing the C Major Chord.

  • On the second string place your first finger, at the first fret.
  • Second finger is on the fourth string, at the second fret.
  • Then your third finger is on the fifth string, at the third fret.
  • Do not strum the 6th string.

Easy Blues Composition

Learn a Complete Blues Song on Your Guitar. Everything You Need in One Course

Discover Techniques So That You Can Play Blues & …Rock & Roll

Learn Rhythm, Licks & Techniques, So That You Can Play; Easy Blues Song on Guitar.

Catch the BIG Sale Now!


Finger Position D Major Chord

First take a look at the chord diagram of the D open chord finger position.

Learn Basic Guitar Chords

To play the D open chord place your fingers like this:

  • At the second fret of the third string, place your first finger.
  • The second fret of the first string, place your second finger.
  • Then at the third fret of the second string, place your third finger.
  • Make sure you don’t strum the 5th and 6th string.

Link to Reverb and Get the Latest Gear


Finally the Em chord. Spelled E minor. One of the easiest chords to play. Here is how it looks on the chord diagram.

Learn Basic Guitar Chords

To play this chord simply place your second finger on the 5th string at the second fret. right under that on the fourth string place your third finger. Play all the strings when strumming.

I’m assuming you all ready know how to transition between the chords. If you need a refresher take a look at The Ultimate Guide How to Learn Guitar Chords.


All Instruments including guitar. All levels and Any age group. Self paced, step by step video courses. LEARN More >>

Wonderful Tonight Lyrics

It’s Late in the evening, she’s wondering what close to wear. She Put’s on her make up and brushes her long blond hair. And then she asks me, do I look alright? And I say yes you look wonderful tonight.

We go to a party and everyone turns to see. This beautiful lady that’s walking around with me. And then she asks me, Do you feel alright? And I say yes, I feel wonderful tonight.

I feel wonderful, because I see the love light in your eyes. And the wonder of it all, is that you just don’t realize how much I love you.

It’s time to go home now and I’ve got an aching head. So I give her the car keys and she helps me to bed. And then I tell her as I turn out the light. I say, my darling, you were wonderful Tonight. Oh my darling you were wonderful tonight. Source


Related Article: How to Play Bell Bottom Blues.

Wonderful Tonight Strumming Pattern

So we have four easy chords, but another reason this is an easy song on guitar for beginners is; The Strumming Pattern. The pattern is: Down Down Up Up Down Up. Down Down Up Up Down Up. If you need help with strumming take a look and get an eye opener How to Get Better at Strumming Guitar.


#GuitarLessons

All Access Get your ticket to 40,000 + Lessons. 30,000 + Tabs, Notation and Instructors for all Genre’s. Beginners, Intermediate and beyond. All access streaming anytime anywhere. All Access On Sale Now! See how much You can Save. A small window of time before the sale ends on All Access.

Intro Riff to Wonderful Tonight By Eric Clapton

Start on the B string at the 8th fret. You want to pick that note. Then using three fingers bend the B string. Especially on an acoustic guitar bending strings are a little tricky.

This is why if you use three fingers to help bend the 10th fret of the B string. It becomes easier. So keep that in mind when practicing bending strings.

When you bend the string, keep your fingers on the string so that it rings out after you bring the string back down.

Then after you bring the B string back down you want to pick the 8th fret again. Then the 10th fret of the B string.

After that Pick the note at the 8th fret of the B string again. Bend the note at the 10th fret, up and down. Remember to keep your fingers on the string to let it ring out on the way down from the bend.

Next you pick the 9th fret of the G string. Then pick the note at the 8th fret of the B string one more time. Bend that 10th fret. When you come down pick the 10th fret, 12th fret, 13th fret of the B string.

Finish the Riff off with picking the 12th and 10th frets of the high E string. Then the verse starts.


Related Articles: Call and Response Blues Guitar Lesson Simplified.

Fender Custom Shop

Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster

Link to the Price on Amazon

Nobody Plays the Blues like Eric Clapton!

How to play Eric Clapton Wonderful Tonight Guitar Lesson

The Song starts out with that Iconic Riff. After that the verse starts. The chord progression is: G D C D. That chord progression is performed two times. Then there are two notes that are played.

You play the G note on the 6th string. Next play the open 5th string. Which is the A string, and then play the third fret of the 5th string. Which is the C note. Make sure you are using your pinkie to play the C note.

Reason being is you are going to go right into the C chord. So you want the pinkie on that C note. Since when you are playing a C chord that is the finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th string.

Then the chord progression is C D G D Em C D G. If that seems like a lot to remember don’t worry get the Tab. After that you play the Riff again. It is exactly the same as in the beginning of the song.

Next after the Riff is the second verse. The chord progression is: G D C D. Same notes as before G note on the 6th string. Open A string, 5th string, and C on the 3rd fret of the 5th string.

Rember to use your pinkie because the next chord is the C chord. D, G D Em, C D G. When you get to that G chord. You want to do an Arpeggio. That sounds BIG and Bad, but really its not.

Related Article: What is the Best Looper Pedal?

G Chord Arpeggio

Position your fingers for the G chord. Then you are going to play individual strings. The first three strings starting with the 1. The high E string, then the B string, and end on the G. Do that two times fairly quick. After that pick the first string and second string. Next strum two times down on the G string.

This might take some practice if your not used to picking individual strings. I have a beginner lesson for picking on my YouTube Channel to help with that. Or you could just play the G chord, and slowly practice your way into picking the 3 strings.

After the Arpeggio here are the rest of the chords in the progression C D G D Em C D C D G. There is one more verse that is the same as the first two verses. If you want all the notes and chords get the tab below.


Eric Clapton’s Wonderful Tonight Guitar Chords Tabs

What a Wonderful Song. Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton Guitar Lesson and tabs. Click this link to get the Wonderful Tonight Chords Tab.

Get the Tab When You Signup for my Patreon. Check out the different membership levels. Trading your support for Extra Content.


Related Questions

Wonderful Tonight Chords PDF

Click this link to get the Wonderful Tonight Chords PDF.


If you enjoyed this Eric Clapton lesson maybe you will like this one too. How to Play Sweet Home Chicago.

Easy Guitar Songs

If you like this lesson check out some of the other guitar lessons. Right here on YourGuitarGuide.com . 11 Easy Songs on Guitar.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *