Song Rig
Clap
Steve Howe · The Yes Album · 1971
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
Steve Howe's solo acoustic showcase — a live performance (recorded at the Lyceum, London) that demonstrates his classical and ragtime acoustic guitar technique without amplification or band. The guitar is a Martin steel-string played in a variety of techniques within a single piece.
Signal Chain
- 1Martin D-28 or similar steel-string acoustic (or Gibson SJ-200)
- 2Live acoustic recording — no amplification
Amp Settings
Purely acoustic — Clap is one of the few Yes recordings entirely without amplification. The guitar's natural projection and Howe's dynamic right-hand technique create all the tonal variation.
Technique
How to Play It
Ragtime-influenced fingerpicking with classical technique — the clapping pattern (hence the title) in Clap comes from alternating bass and treble patterns at high speed, with Howe using his fingernails and thumb simultaneously for the two independent voices.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
Any quality steel-string acoustic → classic fingerpicking: thumb handles bass notes while index, middle, and ring fingers pluck treble strings independently. The ragtime feel requires strong rhythmic sense in the thumb's alternating bass pattern.
Your Gear
Adapt to My Amp
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