Bass Line Breakdown Club
Workshop 3
Crossroads
Cream
Lock in the bass line to Cream’s 'Crossroads' (original album version) over two focused sessions. We’ll map the 12‑bar form, build a solid jam‑night groove, then pick out key Jack Bruce phrases to explore walking ideas, rhythmic pushes, tone and phrasing, so you can play the song with confidence and authority, without needing to copy every note of the original.
Join This Monthly Workshop – £27 / $34
'Crossroads' is one of Cream’s signature rock‑blues tracks, captured in full flight on the original album version with Jack Bruce on bass, Ginger Baker on drums, and Eric Clapton on guitar. It’s a high‑energy 12‑bar that has inspired generations of blues and rock players.
The original bass part is famously busy and improvisational. In this workshop I’ll show you a simplified version that works perfectly at a blues jam, then we’ll zoom in on selected phrases from the record to understand what Jack Bruce is doing and how you can use those ideas in your own playing.
Check out the track...
What we’ll cover in this workshop
In this monthly workshop we look at the fast rock‑blues bass line from “Crossroads” to explore timing, note length, walking ideas, riff‑based playing and dynamics in a real musical context.
What you'll learn:
- Lock in a solid, jam‑ready groove for 'Crossroads'
- Understand the 12‑bar form and where the vocals and solos sit
- Play a dependable version of the line for blues jam nights
- Add tasteful Jack Bruce‑style fills and variations
- Improve muting, articulation and phrasing at higher tempos
- See how to steal concepts from the original line without needing to replicate every note
I'll show you a simplified version if you are struggling with the original bass line
How this particular workshop runs
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Session 1 – Learn the Jam‑Night Line:
Form, core groove, timing, note length, simplified 12‑bar line and a couple of “Bruce‑isms” you can drop in safely. -
Session 2 – Jack Bruce Ideas & Making It Your Own:
Short phrases from the original, how they work over the changes, articulation and dynamics, and a full‑song play‑through using your own Crossroads‑inspired line.
You'll get the following download materials:
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PDF TAB/notes for the line.
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Slow and full‑speed backing tracks minus bass to practise with.
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Replay access to both sessions if you can’t be there live.
No fancy tech needed – if you can join a normal Zoom call, you’re ready.
Michael Lyons
"I don’t even know if it’s legal in the United States to learn Skynyrd from a Brit but Greg taught this first workshop like he was born in the South. From beginner to intermediate to pro he walked us up in levels of difficulty of play. Chord charts, tabs, backing tracks (slowed and at speed) were available. A lot of preparation went into this workshop and it showed"
Dates, time and price
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Two live Zoom sessions at 3pm UK time (BST) on:
- Session 1: Tue 9th June
- Session 2: Tue 23rd June
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Around 60 minutes per session.
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Join from anywhere – if you can get on a normal Zoom call, you’re set.
Price for this monthly workshop
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Standard price: £27 ($34) for this monthly workshop.
There’s no long‑term commitment here – this page is just for the 'Crossroads' workshop. You’re booking this one workshop only.
Join the Cream 'Crossroads' Workshop – £27 / $34
Merle Peters
"I just wanted say how much I enjoyed the recent workshop GBS did on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Gimme Back My Bullets.
Busy southern rock line, but Greg did a great job of breaking it down and giving options that may not be the original line, but certainly something you can play along to.
The workshops are new and you can pick and choose which songs you want to work on. No long term commitment. Two hour long zoom lessons with replays if you can’t make the lesson time. Love it."
The workshops will be presented by myself, and if you don't know me yet, I'm Greg Hagger, a professional bass player, educator. and creator of Greg's Bass Shed.
I concentrate on teaching bass players real life-skills, with a focus on feel and confidence, rather than speed or flashy, busy playing.
Whether you're a bedroom player, attend jam sessions or a seasoned musician, you'll get a lot out of these sessions and have fun at the same time.
