Master Hybrid‑Picking Through Cliffs of Dover by Eric Johnson: Step‑By‑Step Hybrid Picking Tutorial

Ever wanted to sound like Eric Johnson—swift, fluid, and totally in control? Hybrid picking, the secret sauce behind his iconic 'Cliffs of Dover' licks, separates the good from the truly jaw-dropping. But this isn't just some abstract technique for showoffs. When done right, hybrid picking opens up intricate, ringing lines that picking alone just can't touch.

Here's the thing: Most players hit a wall trying to apply hybrid picking exercises in a real musical context. 'Cliffs of Dover' changes that. This tutorial isn't just about building finger speed—it's centered on real licks from the song, so every drill matters. Expect a clear path: theory to practice, with direct musical application. Get ready to tackle one of the most celebrated hybrid-picking showcases, all while dialing in both your chops and your tone.

What Is Hybrid Picking? (Cliffs of Dover Hybrid Picking Tutorial)

Hybrid picking blends the strengths of a flatpick with the fingers of the picking hand. Think of it as thumb (or pick) and finger teamwork: the pick takes bass or lower notes, and the fingers (usually middle and ring, sometimes even the pinkie) tackle higher strings. This technique unlocks speed, clarity, and impossible-seeming note spreads. For fast, skip-string arpeggios and intricate licks, it's a game changer.

Hybrid Picking Defined

In hybrid picking, guitarists use the pick for primary notes, while adding in plucked notes from at least one finger—not fingerstyle, not pure flatpicking, but a combination. Eric Johnson relies on this method for the signature intro and main themes in 'Cliffs of Dover.' The result? Crystal-clear arpeggiated lines that just can’t be done smoothly with flatpick only.

According to MusicRadar’s breakdown, Johnson’s hybrid approach allows for rapid-fire articulation, ringing upper strings, and precise dynamic control—elements that define his sound.

Why 'Cliffs of Dover' Is the Ultimate Example

'Cliffs of Dover' is the hybrid-picking holy grail for a reason. The intro and main themes revolve around rapid arpeggios and multi-string skips, written with hybrid picking in mind. Most drills just teach generic patterns—this song forces real-world coordination, timing, and clarity. LickLibrary’s Rick Graham points out that Johnson’s hybrid-picking isn’t just about speed: the phrasing, note length, and bounce make every lick sing.

Here’s what hybrid picking shapes in 'Cliffs of Dover':

• Wide interval arpeggios, impossible to sweep cleanly with a pick alone
• Snappy, piano-like attack on upper strings
• Musical phrasing—notes ring out, not choked or hurried
• Speed without sacrificing clarity or tone

If the goal is to actually play the main riff right—and sound like the record—hybrid picking is the only real answer.

Gear and Setup for Eric Johnson’s Hybrid Picking Tone

Eric Johnson’s hybrid picking pops for a reason—the tone is half the magic. The right gear and setup make those picked-and-plucked notes sparkle and sustain, not get buried or buzzy. Here’s how to get close to the iconic sound.

Guitar, Amp, and Effects

Johnson famously plays a vintage Stratocaster. For the closest result, use a Strat-style single-coil guitar. Amp-wise, aim for clean headroom: a Fender Twin Reverb with bright switch on, treble at 6, mid at 4, and bass around 5. Add a touch of overdrive—think Boss SD-1 stacked before the amp, gain at 10 o’clock for just a hint of push. Delay and reverb should be subtle: just enough to thicken without muddying.

Pick and Finger Choices

Pick selection changes everything in hybrid picking. Small, sharp picks like Dunlop Jazz III let fingers get in close—no excess plastic getting in the way. Medium to heavy gauges offer better control and snappier attack. Most hybrid patterns work best using the pick with the index, while the middle and ring fingers pluck higher strings. Nail length can help—many players keep their hybrid picking fingers a bit longer for added snap (but nothing fake, just a little past the tip).

Noise Control and Muting Techniques

Letting notes ring while muting excess noise is non-negotiable. As MusicRadar points out, palm-dampening with the right hand keeps things squeaky clean. Rest the heel of the hand gently on the lower strings to kill sympathetic buzz, especially during aggressive plucking. Use the thumb side of the picking hand for low E and A string muting. For the left hand, released fingers should touch unused strings lightly—never let the whole chord ring unless that’s wanted.

Step-by-Step: Cliffs of Dover Hybrid Picking Lick Breakdown

So, how does hybrid picking actually work in the ‘Cliffs of Dover’ intro? It’s all about breaking the main lick into small, manageable movements. Rick Graham (via LickLibrary) and practicing-guitar tutorials both stress this: Practice the hands separately—then integrate, slow to fast. Here’s a real-world breakdown using the iconic opening Hybrid Picking Lick (like bar one of most tab resources and LickLibrary’s video lessons).

Step 1: Learn the Fretting Hand Motions

Start without the picking hand. Walk through the note sequence slowly. Most licks begin on the G string at the 9th fret (E), then leap up to B string, back to G, and up to high E. Focus on wide string skips and clear finger placement. Try this exercise:

• Fret G string (9th fret), then B string (8th fret), then high E (7th fret).
• Keep the fingers close to the strings—don't fly off after picking.
• Repeat sequence slowly, getting comfortable with string jumps.

Tip: Don’t press harder than needed—light touch means less fatigue at speed.

Step 2: Master the Picking Hand Motions

Mute all strings with your left hand. Play the picking sequence using pick for lower note, middle or ring finger for upper notes. Typical pattern: pick on G, middle finger on B, ring on high E—then roll back, reversing. Loop just the right hand on muted strings, feeling the bounce and timing. The trick is: minimal motion. Flick the fingers, don’t strum or over-pluck.

• Alternate this pattern: pick, 2nd finger, 3rd finger
• Practice in 6/8 feel (triplets or dotted rhythm)—matches song’s swing
• Avoid snapping so hard the notes choke out

Try different roles: some licks use pick and just middle finger, others integrate the ring. Find what flows. Jazz III picks help fingers get close.

Step 3: Combine Both Hands Slowly

This is where the magic starts. Play the full lick, one note at a time, matching pick and finger to each fretted note. Play at 50% speed, using a metronome set to half the original tempo (try 66 bpm if original is 132). Focus on accuracy—timing between the hands, notes ringing, zero excess noise. If something buzzes or notes get lost, stop and isolate trouble spots. Don’t rush: clarity first.

• Play four-note cycles, then pause and reset
• Listen for even volume across pick and finger notes
• Make sure unused strings are muted (palm/right hand side or fretting fingers)

Rick Graham recommends "atomic" motion practice: if it falls apart, work with just two notes, then three, before building up.

Step 4: Gradually Increase Speed and Fluidity

Once both hands feel locked, inch up the metronome by 4 bpm notches—never jump too quick. As speed increases, don’t tense up! Johnson’s bounce comes from a relaxed right wrist and minimal finger lift. Check posture and breathing. If you tense, slow down again and focus on playing with effortless power, not brute force. Mix in tempo bursts—play two cycles at full speed, then drop back to slow. This builds both endurance and real-time control.

• Focus on relaxed right wrist (“bouncing” motion, not stiff)
• Use micro-pauses between cycles if needed
• Loop tricky bars instead of running the whole lick

Over time, accuracy and confidence grow. Hybrid picking becomes second nature—the hands know exactly when to flick, pluck, or let the note ring. Johnson’s main licks are now within reach.

Targeted Hybrid Picking Exercises Inspired by 'Cliffs of Dover'

Generic drills help, but the biggest progress comes from exercises based on actual song fragments. These practices turn hybrid picking from abstract to automatic—using licks modeled after Johnson’s real lines.

Exercise 1: Arpeggiated Hybrid Picking Patterns

Borrow the open-voiced arpeggio style from Johnson’s intro. Try this pattern:

• Fret 9th fret G, 8th fret B, 7th fret high E
• Pick G, pluck B with middle finger, pluck E with ring finger
• Move to 7th fret G, 7th fret B, 5th fret high E and repeat the picking sequence
• Loop each shape for 8 counts, then move to the next

Focus on clean, ringing notes—no extra noise. According to GuitarLessons365, aligning picking direction with string movement and keeping a relaxed wrist are key to success.

Exercise 2: Fast Lick Fragments

Want to nail those high-speed bursts Johnson is famous for? Try short, fast triplets on adjacent and skipped strings. Example fragment:

• On B and high E strings: Pick B, pluck E with middle, then back to B with pick
• Cycle at low speed, then ramp up metronome until confident

Don’t push for speed too soon—maintain note separation and clarity. LickLibrary’s Rick Graham recommends gradually expanding the fragment, adding one note at a time, always with the same “bounce” and relaxation.

Exercise 3: String Skipping and Noise Control

This one’s about precision, not just flash. Try:

• Pick D string, skip to B with middle finger, back to G with pick, up to high E with ring finger
• Mute all unused strings with both palms and fretting fingers
• Loop slowly, focusing on dead silent skips—listen for any ghost notes

For every exercise, mix in metronome work and ”micro-loops”—run just two or three notes repeatedly before adding the rest. This locks in timing and muscle memory.

Troubleshooting and Advanced Tips for Hybrid Picking Mastery

No matter how well you drill, hybrid picking brings its own share of sticking points. From tension to timing, here’s how to overcome the biggest hurdles—and add professional polish to every note.

Common Hybrid Picking Challenges

Problems sneak up fast: Excess tension locks up the picking hand, making fast licks feel awkward or choked. Missed strings and uncontrolled noise are common, too. Most hybrid picking issues boil down to these mistakes:

• Gripping pick too tight
• Lifting fingers too far off strings
• Over-plucking with fingers (notes snap or choke out)
• Poor muting—extra strings ring and muddy the lick

The fix? Loosen the grip, keep fingers close, and mute proactively.

Staying Relaxed for Speed and Endurance

Rick Graham teaches a “bounce-like” picking hand motion. It’s more of a gentle flick and rebound—not stiff wrist, not frantic elbow pumping. Let the hand swing lightly from the wrist, with fingers moving just enough to release each note. The less muscle used, the less fatigue and error. Practicing at low speed helps develop this feel. Play in bursts: two bars fast, then four bars slow. Over time, this micro-relaxation becomes automatic at higher tempos.

Adding Expression: Tone, Dynamics, and Phrasing

Hybrid picking isn’t just about speed. It brings dynamics—notes can pop or float, depending how they’re picked or plucked. Check out Rick Graham’s LickLibrary tutorial for phrasing tips: Try using volume swells (pick softly, then pluck hard for the accent) and blend in subtle vibrato after finger-plucked notes to make them sing. Experiment with picking hand position: plucking closer to the neck yields a warmer tone, while near the bridge brings out snap.

Conclusion

Hybrid picking, as shown through ‘Cliffs of Dover,’ blends speed, clarity, and musicality in a single, versatile technique. By dissecting the iconic intro, focusing on hands-separate practice, and tying every exercise to actual song phrases, guitarists move beyond drills to real music. Tone matters, too—Eric Johnson’s singing sound comes from more than just finger gymnastics.

No single method flips a switch overnight. But those who stick with hand-isolation, metronome training, and expression-building will find hybrid picking unlocking a whole new voice on the guitar. Keep pushing boundaries with actual songs: add fragments from other hybrid-picking classics, or tweak exercises for new licks. Mastering hybrid picking in the context of ‘Cliffs of Dover’ isn’t just a party trick. It’s a lifelong upgrade to phrasing, expression, and control. The journey is ongoing—but now there’s a map.