Been almost too weeks and it is still hard to get over. Glad I got the opportunity to hang out with him at 5150 for a couple of days. One of the nicest, humble person on the planet.
Learning to play riffs both the "right way" and the wrong way (i.e. the right notes in the wrong position on the neck) is a great way to learn the fretboard
Also, apparently a great way to learn awkward, seriously challenging fingerings. I have an old instruction DVD by an MIT guy that played Bark at the Moon (I think it's BATM, I'll have to look) all funky, mid fretboard with spider fingers that looked like they were playing a hand version of Twister. Then, I looked on TH-cam at Jake playing the same riff and found... Ta-Da! Jake's version was easier and made a lot more sense.
My two cents, is that either way is great! If you really insist on pushing yourself to learn to play a specific way, and conquer that, more power to you! If you have to do it your own way, but can play in a more unconscious musical level by butchering it a little, then more power to you! After all, isn’t playing music what it’s all about?
Unchained was also the first VH tune I heard too. I will never forget. I found the cassette laying in the street in 82’. Popped it in and was changed forever. I still have the tape.
@@ssolo8 I must've been around 11 years old when I saw their first album in the store. It was late 1970s... it probably had just recently been released.
Actually, both Lay it Down and Unchained are awesome low-end riffs from the 80's. Whenever people ask "Why are you such an 80's riff guy?" I play Lay it Down. Jaw drops on cue. Play Unchained, jaw smashes through floor. Play solo from either, and its instant conversion to listening to either on their playlists.
Fair Warning is probably the best VH album other than the first one. I have heard (and I agree) that Fair Warning is a guitarist album and not so much a commercial album. It was dark, extremely raw and the playing and tones was real and emotional.
Leon...you nailed it....Fair Warning is the Van Halen fans Van Halen Album...super crunchy and meaty...The first Van Halen song I ever heard was Unchained and it blew me away...the riff is my ringtone on my phone and has been for years.
You are indeed correct about the B string being just a hair detuned! A lot of people miss out on that fact. However, "a perfect third on those suspended chords" is inaccurate regarding terminology. A suspended chord (a sus chord) can only be suspended when the third is replaced by either the fourth (sus4) or the second (sus2). In this riff, Eddie switches between major and sus chords, but it's only the major chords that have the major 3rd in them - the suspended chords do not.
As a lifelong Eddie Van Halen fan since 1982 when I was in 3rd grade, that may be the most profound statement regarding his playing ever. I've listened to everything and everyone analyzing his technique all my years and never heard that. That's pretty damn awesome.
It was a mime act from 1978 to 1984. Every TV show performance was FAKE. THEY PRETENDED TO PLAY for the cameras. Every TV show in the early years was a fake performance.
@@Mike-In-Florida dumb. Every live TV show they did for years was PRETEND PLAYING OF INSTRUMENTS. They faked every performance for TV for years. VH was still faking their performance in 1984.
The important part of the flanger strumming for me is definitely getting that descending sound on each of the four chunks. It's amazing how important such a minor detail really is to capturing the riff.
Some people think they punched in the flanger at the board, since it consistently gets the sweep in alternating directions. However, it's masterful. And an example of how Ed played effects as well as he played amps and his guitars... masterfully.
Fair Warning has also been my favorite Van Halen album, which also seems to be their most underrated album. Everything about that album was just peak Van Halen. What no one talks about his how awesome the bass tone was on that album!
There has been scuttlebutt for 40+ years that Michael Anthony was in rehab during the bulk of the recording of fair warning and that most of the bass playing on the album is actually Eddie. I tend to believe that this is true because some of those lines on the record would have been a pretty solid challenge for Mike to pull off. They just don't fall Within his standard Groove , they are far more dynamic. Sinners swing and dirty movies are two of my top candidates in this regard but there are a few others that definitely fit into the same analysis. One foot out the door is similar for sure. That is Monster bass playing on that track. This was certainly a strange point in time for the band. For my tastes? Fair warning is the Pinnacle of Dave era Van Halen in terms of composition from Edward.
A&D strings played together, chug the low E. 2nd fret twice, open A&D once, 2-0-0 2-2-0 0-0-0 All on A&D strings played together. Then 5- hold... 6-7-5 fret, back to 2nd fret (if you understand that, it's a start) 😀 it's easy if you know how the song goes 👍 I'll do more later
You made several great points in this excellent video. First, RIP King Edward. Second, take the inspiration but don't clone. My take on it is that it doesn't matter how you play it as long as you're close enough to get the feel and energy across! Keep rockin it man. Subbed.
Man..I have tell you..you re the only guitar/geek/demo player I've been watching in the last months..you re such spontaneous..not always aiming at advertising everything..unlike all the other guitar youtubers which seem to have lost their primal vocation..you just enjoy what you do..playing the guitar....and of course you like Van Halen;)10 points here
Van Halen and guitar are some of my favourite things in the world, I'm pretty fortunate to have the means to make these vids and I'm so stoked to know people dig them!
WTF - just pick any live version of EVH playing it live and that’s all there is to it - period. He wrote the fucking song - watch him. The rest is bullshit.
When you talked about not playing exactly like Eddie Does kind reminds of Nuno Bettencourt, he always say the same thing in some interviews, about not being a clone of some guitarrist, but to play that songs on your own way, developing a identity. I Think both of you are right. Talking about Nuno, you should dig into his tone on the Axe FX 3, especially the tones from pornografitti, man, that album is insane! Nice video, man.
This is exactly what I thought! In that old video where he's showing how to play his stuff and urges you to do it yourself by ear, yep. It's like DNA, that little bit of difference goes on to create a whole ecosystem of great variations.:)
Let me guess you're probably North American. I'm not 100% on that, but definitely not Antipodean? Or are you an Aussie with our self-deprecating sense of humour?
Great video, Fair Warning was one of my favorites and got me interested in playing which was a struggle hanging out in music shops and pulling tab out of guitar magazine and with the birth of the internet came multiple versions of tab, ugh!! Lay It Down actually brought me to your site, thx for making the video!
I feel like Vitto bratta really took what eddie was doing and made it better... You should do a video on some of his stuff. Guy does not get the credit he deserves. He also had really amazing guitar tone too. I'm a huge 80's guitar guy too and Vito really sticks out to me as probably the best in terms of the full package. Tone, melody, technique, song writing... So much win.
I've always been of the attitude when someone says to me Hey dude you're playing it wrong, play it like Eddie. I tend to respond, when I get paid like Eddie I'll play it like Eddie...
Ed is a master at making really simple riffs really hard to play I think it's all about timing with him. I saw an interview once and he said he plays in 3s and 5s instead of 2s and 4s. Either way that dude has made some of the most memorable music ever!
Gerry Kay - Hey now! I don't know this person and nor do I agree with or condone the statements that he is making. I just happened to be standing here but I am going to leave now.
If it sounds right, that's what matters. Unlike the piano, or the saxophone, the guitar gives you options to play the same thing in different ways. Making those note choices is part of what makes the guitar such a special instrument.
Parallel universe’s ?! Dude ! I subscribed before i knew you liked physics......laughed out loud at the parallel universe noodling around to make a song....thanks for the insight.... You motivate me to actually quit watching YT and start learning all my favorite licks and songs.
Yeah, I know Eddie plays it with bar chords but I much prefer the chunkier sound I get when playing the drop C# and A together over just the single drop C#.
I think at least half of the early EVH "brown" tone is due to 9's tuned down to drop C#. And Fair Warning had the brownest tone ever! So thick you could chew it!
Just compared it to a piano and you're right Raul, thanks. I guess that explains why tutorials show playing it at the 5th fret instead of the 4th ... because the guitar is tuned to Eflat with drop C#.
@@LeonTodd HI Leon, FX2 or 3? I'd have to sell a lot of gear to get one of these, but in your opinion, for the long sake keepsake, it it worth it? I'm not a professional muso, but a lifetime noodler. All my gear is valve, but it's always a pain in the arse to fire it up, and change and dial in tones for different songs when you try to play covers. Plus, it's too loud to get a decent tone. Currently trying out VST amps in a DAW (amplitube, Guitar rig, etc), but the thing that always nagged me about it was the slight latency. Does the Axe FX have any latency at all? How about the Kemper? It's a bit cheaper, how does that fare? Love your work man, it would be great if you did a shoot-out between say FX2, Kemper, and a VST like Amplitube or Guitar Rig.
So Very Cool, Thankyou. Love to see Decent Into The Maelstrom by Australian Punk/New Wave Band Radio Birdman. And Maybe do a Bio Vid on Deniz Tek Lead Guitarist from Radio Birdman (Amazing solo in this song). He left the band in early 1980's when band "disbanded" studied to became a Doctor/Surgeon and Became a Top Gun Pilot. WOW Over-Achiever, So Awesome.
Fun piece of trivia - my Dad was invited to jam with a proto-Birdman lineup and for whatever reason it never happened. He's another force of nature, good at anything he applies himself to bloke.
Only somewhat related, but I find people often forget that Black Sabbath did C# standard (ok, not drop C#, but still) way back in 1971, but pretty much no one else seems to have tuned down besides sabbath before 1981. I have to wonder why more metal bands didn't tune down in the 70's.
Brian May used Drop D in Prophet's Song from "A Night at the Opera". Also, Hendrix tuned half step down from Bold as Love (if I remember correctly) and often tuned even lower when playing live
It's not "somewhat related." Sabbath absolutely was the inspiration for EVH's compositions on Fair Warning. VH covered Sabbath tunes in their Pasadena days. They toured with Sabbath in 1978. EVH quizzed Tony Iommi specifically about "Master of Reality, side 2 track 2." Tony told him to fuck off, how was he supposed to remember that? Someone pulled the same shit on Ed years later, he understood how Tony felt. That's from Dodds' biography.
Hey Leon, how about a go at “Razor KIng” from Gamma 1, The great Ronnie Montrose! I’d love to see/hear your take on that! p.s. love your channel /playing ! Jeff
Thank you for the fun piece, you’re not alone in butchering other players stuff😆... but I actually heard this come out of Eddie Van Halen‘s mouth,” that’s why they calling music theory, not music fact” really appreciate that comment, because Eddie was right!
IMO, "Fair Warning" is The best VH album! That whole intro to "Mean Streets" and me, cranking my car stereo to 11! "Dirty Movies" with Alex' driving, shuffle beat, Michael's bass harmonics and Eddie pounding his guitar and then dive-bombing. How about Eddie's solo on "One Foot Out The Door?" This was a BEAST of an album and deserves to be played LOUD and on a continuous loop, everywhere! Especially at my job, where I have the pleasure of listening to the most horrible music ever recorded, Mexican pop music! No offense but, do you guys really listen to that shit or is it just tradition? 'cause it's horrible! A jumbled mess of Accordion, some kind of horns, drums and a lot of yelling. It gives me a headache, literally!
Agree Leon. For me 'Fair Warning' is the best rock album of all time. So much going on in the guitar area, also the vocals of David Lee Roth are at his finest. Still sounds great after so many years and his soloing is like no other.
Four years late here, but yes, you are playing the Jerry Cantrell riff incorrectly as well! A couple quick youtube searches or “official” guitar tab searches will have you squared away in no time. (My little cover band plays that song in clubs around Seattle.) Regardless, you’re an amazing guitar player and have a very cool youtube channel. Best wishes!!
Maybe I’m wrong but I thought EVH used a MXR Phase 90. Even though I’m an old guy who’s spent most of his time play bass (albeit Rush I was playing) I hope to get mor comfortable on guitar like yo are. My fingers struggle getting on the right strings. Then strumming ads more complexity. I feel like that meme of that old guy yelling and pounding on his hand hoping that will help his fingers work better. Thanks for the vid.
This fascinating! I have been a "Keef Richards" in a Stones tribute band from age 15-22 and I really obsessed getting things completely right. Up to the point that I can still do it from muscle memory. But my mum once said when I was rehearsing: "Why not give it your own spin? What is the use of carbon copying someone else?" And it planted a seed in my 17 year old brain, that by the time I was 22, I was DONE with exactly copying people. But just hearing what they play and make you own interpretations from it, learn that technique but not necessarily the lick or riff note fo note. And that's when I actually discovered, that I could write my own music -- never thought before I could or was good enough. But then it actually becomes you and is you! And your own thing and style. Like Eddie took inspiration and ideas that he put into his own style from rock 'n roll legends.
it is always best to play it exactly as it is recorded in the version of the song that youre emulating. The person who wrote it always has figured out the best way to play it, Ive never encountered an exception. I hate when people play things wrong/differently whether on purpose or not.
@@joejones9520 I’m sorry but I don’t agree. Most artists aren’t perfectionists and only play what and how is in their ability, there’s no conscious “let’s do it like this”. Music (especially in bands) logically flow like language. And let’s look at all these artists performing live, they can’t come close to their own recordings. So they don’t even bother and also evolve. As they get older more proficient and more knowledgeable. And if you got to watch a cover band last thing I want is an exact copy of that band they play. Otherwise I can get a DJ and I loathe parties with DJs over live music. Oh and I maybe your first exception many of my own songs I never intended to come out the way it was. And if I’d redo them they’ll sound and feel different.
If I had a dollar for every time you mention Warren DeMartini.....;-) These "position purists" are yet to learn guitar allows inversions of the same melody/riff/chord at MULTIPLE locations on the neck. This is bc its an ensemble instrument and position should be dictated by band/format sonic space requirements and hopefully in original and compelling ways that tell the audience something about you and stay true to the spontaneous nature of rock. As opposed to being a tool for reciting note perfect sterile reproductions of yesterdays heroes for Instagram in your mom's basement ;-) MOM QUIET I"M TYPING HERE!
REAL guitar players do not do copy versions of the studio album they had to do to make the bean counters happy. You'll never find a vid of Terry Kath or Ritchie Blackmore doing a solo they did on a studio album. They both laughed at fools that tried to do so. The internet has create a ton of highly talented technicians...and has ruined music. Music requires thought and feeling, not robot technique...like a cut and paste solo in a Rush concert...unless you have a sleep disorder.
As long as you recognize that the different voicings do sound different, I think you are cleared hot to play it however you want to... Unfortunately however, a good number of people don’t really use their ears before they use their fingers, leading to the torturing of Long and McQuade employees on a Saturday afternoon with “their interpretation “ (for an American version of “Long and McQuade, just read: Music Center). 😏
Wow! I can't stop playing this backwards. Oh well just keep on learning. I bet E.V.H. played it different sometimes. And then there's the tone. Very few get the edward sound. And which era anyway! Rock On!
I had a similar experience with Castles Made of Sand by Hendrix. Pre-TH-cam, I I learned it by ear. It’s so NOT what Hendrix did. I eventually learned the “right” way but still like “my” way 🤷♂️
That pre-chorus is a testament to Van Halen's genius! Who writes a pre-chorus that is the most interesting and complicated part of the song?!? It's BANANAS! I love it!
You're really close on that opening riff, Leon. But, Ed plays the Bflat and C without their 5th string roots. He only plays that major shape you're doing on the D chord each time and then on the F. You can see it on the Jimmy Kimmel live footage if you look closely. th-cam.com/video/RFuIrUsadog/w-d-xo.html
That's super cool 😎 brother, Just like KING EDDIE VAN HALEN said... "Nothing is wrong on playing guitar 🎸, it's playing, and practicing, just like DR.s and Lawyers, they practice law and medicine,they don't have it right, it's called practicing"
Fair Warning was a mind blower, as much as the first Van Halen album. They had risen from amazing on the first albums to magnificent by this album. Peak of their creativity here.
Wrong. You're not allowed to rewrite history. Fair warning was a disaster. They were known world wide as a mime show. They pretended to play for the cameras.
@@Gma7788 Haha! Worldwide? Maybe worldwide on your block, because in the real world they ruled it at that time. But if you remember it differently who can tell you different. Talk about rewriting history right there.
![[ TEASER ] เงาะป่า - วงL.กฮ. | TMG RECORD](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/M4ObdFfcPww/mqdefault.jpg)
R.I.P EVH. Long live the king.
Showed this lesson to a student tonight and we both learned a tonne from it! RIP King VH...
Changed the way we look at the guitar forever, like no one else.
Been almost too weeks and it is still hard to get over. Glad I got the opportunity to hang out with him at 5150 for a couple of days. One of the nicest, humble person on the planet.
My lifelong guitar hero and the reason I switched from drums to guitar in 1978
just plain SH&T NEWS
My greatest talent is butchering Van Halen riffs.
It's my Super Power. It's why I need a secret identity.
@@tinman5322 I like to think of it as my trademark. Kinda like Nigel Tufnel.
@@matthewschiavi7353 Then you are in fine company indeed!
I used to play a version of "Eruption" that I called "Abortion"...nuff said!
@@trsgringo Oh, I'm dying!!! Lol!
Learning to play riffs both the "right way" and the wrong way (i.e. the right notes in the wrong position on the neck) is a great way to learn the fretboard
My guitar teacher was all about this.... Transposition....
Also, apparently a great way to learn awkward, seriously challenging fingerings. I have an old instruction DVD by an MIT guy that played Bark at the Moon (I think it's BATM, I'll have to look) all funky, mid fretboard with spider fingers that looked like they were playing a hand version of Twister. Then, I looked on TH-cam at Jake playing the same riff and found... Ta-Da! Jake's version was easier and made a lot more sense.
binface9 “Error” is a great teacher.
My two cents, is that either way is great! If you really insist on pushing yourself to learn to play a specific way, and conquer that, more power to you! If you have to do it your own way, but can play in a more unconscious musical level by butchering it a little, then more power to you! After all, isn’t playing music what it’s all about?
Yes I'd agree and so would other guitar players. I like some of the chords john frusciante uses.
Unchained was also the first VH tune I heard too. I will never forget. I found the cassette laying in the street in 82’. Popped it in and was changed forever. I still have the tape.
That is wicked! :D
Fkin cool
cool story.
@@vladimirerfan7721 wrong.
4 years later.
Obviously you have no business jumping on the band wagon.
@@Gma7788 What band wagon?
Fair Warning is the best VH album and Hear About it Later is the jewel of that album.
1984.
Fuck yes!!!! Most underrated VH song ever!
Great song! The breakdown solo is badass.
Dirty Movies is another stunning hidden jem
My favorite off FW is Push Comes to Shove. You can almost hear where Vai got many of his ideas in that single song.
"Way back in early 2000 when I first started...... I'd never heard of Van Halen...."
Lolz. I'm old
I don't remember a time in my life when I DIDN'T know VH! They've been there since the beginning of my consciousness.
@@ssolo8 what he said
yeah when said that i felt really old.
Same! 😂
@@ssolo8 I must've been around 11 years old when I saw their first album in the store. It was late 1970s... it probably had just recently been released.
Unchained was kind of a turbo charged Stones riff.
I've always thought that Unchained sounds like the riff at the beginning of Brown Sugar.
@@Larry-ks8bo Yes, exactly! It's that same idea/pattern, but through a blazing marshall.
Yes, there is some similarity.
Not really, stones use 1-4 chords
Start Me Up’s dirtier cousin...
😏
Eddie is such an underrated rhythm guitar player. He’s always known for his solos but a lot of his rhythms are pretty tough to play and unique
You're delusional.
Get help.
There isn't a corner in the industry where he was ever underrated in any aspect
He's not underrated as a rhythm player. People have been talking about his percussive sound and funky rhythm since the day the first album dropped.
spot on
Listen to "Dirty Movies". You got everything in that song. Pay attention to the rhythm. Its a fucking banger
Actually, both Lay it Down and Unchained are awesome low-end riffs from the 80's. Whenever people ask "Why are you such an 80's riff guy?" I play Lay it Down. Jaw drops on cue. Play Unchained, jaw smashes through floor. Play solo from either, and its instant conversion to listening to either on their playlists.
Music isn't about right or wrong, it's about feeling and everyone has a different feeling when playing...
Correct! If you are going to play something wrong, be sure it has feeling!
Fair Warning is probably the best VH album other than the first one. I have heard (and I agree) that Fair Warning is a guitarist album and not so much a commercial album. It was dark, extremely raw and the playing and tones was real and emotional.
And it made Diver Down look bad.
Back in 92 when I figured this out, I ended up getting it down the way Ed played it. Cool.
Dude I love this “sounds like” thing you’ve done again. Lay it down was one I never bothered with until you dropped the cheat. Thanks man.
Leon...you nailed it....Fair Warning is the Van Halen fans Van Halen Album...super crunchy and meaty...The first Van Halen song I ever heard was Unchained and it blew me away...the riff is my ringtone on my phone and has been for years.
You gotta detune the B string just a hair to make Unchained sound like the album. It makes for a perfect third on those suspended chords.
You are indeed correct about the B string being just a hair detuned! A lot of people miss out on that fact. However, "a perfect third on those suspended chords" is inaccurate regarding terminology. A suspended chord (a sus chord) can only be suspended when the third is replaced by either the fourth (sus4) or the second (sus2). In this riff, Eddie switches between major and sus chords, but it's only the major chords that have the major 3rd in them - the suspended chords do not.
Does he turn flanger on only on the linebass part or in all riff?
I love Fair Warning. Dirty movies riff is so sick. So much of the 80's scene that I love comes from that riff.
I like the way your mind works. Thanks Leon
One thing Eddie had over alot of guitarists was not his soloing but his timing,maybe being a drummer first gave him that?
He admittedly stated he wasn't a good drummer but he was studying piano before guitar and yeas his rhythm playing was every bit as good as his lead.
As a lifelong Eddie Van Halen fan since 1982 when I was in 3rd grade, that may be the most profound statement regarding his playing ever. I've listened to everything and everyone analyzing his technique all my years and never heard that. That's pretty damn awesome.
It was a mime act from 1978 to 1984.
Every TV show performance was FAKE.
THEY PRETENDED TO PLAY for the cameras.
Every TV show in the early years was a fake performance.
@@Mike-In-Florida dumb.
Every live TV show they did for years was PRETEND PLAYING OF INSTRUMENTS.
They faked every performance for TV for years.
VH was still faking their performance in 1984.
The important part of the flanger strumming for me is definitely getting that descending sound on each of the four chunks. It's amazing how important such a minor detail really is to capturing the riff.
Some people think they punched in the flanger at the board, since it consistently gets the sweep in alternating directions. However, it's masterful. And an example of how Ed played effects as well as he played amps and his guitars... masterfully.
@@ranger5281yeah definitely production/after effects.
woa you got some crunch going, nice tone love it
Fair Warning has also been my favorite Van Halen album, which also seems to be their most underrated album. Everything about that album was just peak Van Halen. What no one talks about his how awesome the bass tone was on that album!
Yeah MA was firing on all cylinders on that album
There has been scuttlebutt for 40+ years that Michael Anthony was in rehab during the bulk of the recording of fair warning and that most of the bass playing on the album is actually Eddie. I tend to believe that this is true because some of those lines on the record would have been a pretty solid challenge for Mike to pull off. They just don't fall Within his standard Groove , they are far more dynamic. Sinners swing and dirty movies are two of my top candidates in this regard but there are a few others that definitely fit into the same analysis. One foot out the door is similar for sure. That is Monster bass playing on that track. This was certainly a strange point in time for the band. For my tastes? Fair warning is the Pinnacle of Dave era Van Halen in terms of composition from Edward.
Accept! Balls to the wall mannnnnn! Must know riff!
Yessssss
A&D strings played together, chug the low E.
2nd fret twice, open A&D once, 2-0-0 2-2-0 0-0-0
All on A&D strings played together. Then 5- hold...
6-7-5 fret, back to 2nd fret (if you understand that, it's a start) 😀 it's easy if you know how the song goes 👍 I'll do more later
I can play that wrong on the drums, as well!!😆🤣
Up To The Limit!
SUPER simple
AWESOME LEON! I really enjoyed this video!
Awesome thank you!
You made several great points in this excellent video. First, RIP King Edward. Second, take the inspiration but don't clone. My take on it is that it doesn't matter how you play it as long as you're close enough to get the feel and energy across! Keep rockin it man. Subbed.
Music is ultimately a way in which we can pass ons tories from one generation to the next, and interpretation is key to that!
great insights.... cheers to you for letting me re-hear with fresh ears again.
Man..I have tell you..you re the only guitar/geek/demo player I've been watching in the last months..you re such spontaneous..not always aiming at advertising everything..unlike all the other guitar youtubers which seem to have lost their primal vocation..you just enjoy what you do..playing the guitar....and of course you like Van Halen;)10 points here
Van Halen and guitar are some of my favourite things in the world, I'm pretty fortunate to have the means to make these vids and I'm so stoked to know people dig them!
WTF - just pick any live version of EVH playing it live and that’s all there is to it - period. He wrote the fucking song - watch him. The rest is bullshit.
eddie rhythm > solos. So many amazing rhythm concepts both roth and hagar. Can you do some george lynch mr scary
Marty Friedman said it best. Learn the right way to do something. Then break it.
My fave Unchained interpretation is Eatin' Ain't Cheatin' by Steel Panther. :)
When you talked about not playing exactly like Eddie Does kind reminds of Nuno Bettencourt, he always say the same thing in some interviews, about not being a clone of some guitarrist, but to play that songs on your own way, developing a identity.
I Think both of you are right.
Talking about Nuno, you should dig into his tone on the Axe FX 3, especially the tones from pornografitti, man, that album is insane!
Nice video, man.
This is exactly what I thought! In that old video where he's showing how to play his stuff and urges you to do it yourself by ear, yep. It's like DNA, that little bit of difference goes on to create a whole ecosystem of great variations.:)
An Aussie on youtube that's not doing burnouts? Im impressed.
Ford Driver that’s hilarious
Let me guess you're probably North American. I'm not 100% on that, but definitely not Antipodean? Or are you an Aussie with our self-deprecating sense of humour?
Lay it down, Mutha don’t wanna go to school today, Eatin ain’t cheatin. All the Unchained riff.
Eating for sure....
Great channel man! Really great.
Great video, Fair Warning was one of my favorites and got me interested in playing which was a struggle hanging out in music shops and pulling tab out of guitar magazine and with the birth of the internet came multiple versions of tab, ugh!! Lay It Down actually brought me to your site, thx for making the video!
The golden era of olympic guitar playing!
Randy loved Ed , he watched a ton of his shows.
I feel like Vitto bratta really took what eddie was doing and made it better... You should do a video on some of his stuff. Guy does not get the credit he deserves. He also had really amazing guitar tone too. I'm a huge 80's guitar guy too and Vito really sticks out to me as probably the best in terms of the full package. Tone, melody, technique, song writing... So much win.
I have the isolated gtr track and If you listen closely to the outro solo it sounds like he's using a sub octave effect on it, very interesting.
I've always been of the attitude when someone says to me Hey dude you're playing it wrong, play it like Eddie. I tend to respond, when I get paid like Eddie I'll play it like Eddie...
Of course that is backwards. If you could play like Eddie... you WOULD be paid like Eddie.
@@trevorwesterdahl6245 well I probably could if I had a few more beers.
David Ash That may be true.
Tell that to Satchel of Steel Panther.
You know you're getting old when the music you listen to is now played on the classic rock channel.
Just wait until it starts showing up in commercials for paper towels
Killer crunch tone dude !!! 🎸😳
Ed is a master at making really simple riffs really hard to play I think it's all about timing with him. I saw an interview once and he said he plays in 3s and 5s instead of 2s and 4s. Either way that dude has made some of the most memorable music ever!
My favorite VH song is Mean Street. This album is just the best they ever recorded.
With you !!!! Mean Street makes Hendrix sound like a chump!!
Gerry Kay - Hey now! I don't know this person and nor do I agree with or condone the statements that he is making. I just happened to be standing here but I am going to leave now.
If it sounds right, that's what matters. Unlike the piano, or the saxophone, the guitar gives you options to play the same thing in different ways. Making those note choices is part of what makes the guitar such a special instrument.
Maiden
-Back in the Village
Great vid.
im diggin' your honesty, cheers!
When in doubt go to live concert footage. Something I didn't have as a kid since the Internet wasn't a thing.
Parallel universe’s ?! Dude ! I subscribed before i knew you liked physics......laughed out loud at the parallel universe noodling around to make a song....thanks for the insight....
You motivate me to actually quit watching YT and start learning all my favorite licks and songs.
I'm glad that one didn't go unnoticed!
Yeah, I know Eddie plays it with bar chords but I much prefer the chunkier sound I get when playing the drop C# and A together over just the single drop C#.
Your realness is refreshing.
I'm not even finishing the video before I comment this: Everybody Needs an Uncle Tony in Their Lives (mine was Uncle Marc). #solidarity
Jake E Lee was actually IN RATT. Mickey Ratt that is. George Lynch always used to steal their amps and Warren and Jake had to steal em back 😂
If it can be played along with the recording and sounds right - it’s right. I like covers to be somewhat different anyways.
Lol I play it down side like you for years till I saw Ed playing it live
It's just more rock and roll!
What are the white knobs on your headstock? Why did you remove the locking tabs on the nut?
This is my music store go-to... I need to come correct.
Nice analysis of the song, and good playing. Fair Warning is my favorite VH album. Love Sinners Swing.
Killer tone, can you share your settings?
I think at least half of the early EVH "brown" tone is due to 9's tuned down to drop C#. And Fair Warning had the brownest tone ever! So thick you could chew it!
Since VH tuned exclusively in Eflat, then they were playing in drop C, not C#, even though it's at the 4th fret.
@@jamesgreenberg4786 no, drop c#. the lowest string is dropped down to c#
Just compared it to a piano and you're right Raul, thanks. I guess that explains why tutorials show playing it at the 5th fret instead of the 4th ... because the guitar is tuned to Eflat with drop C#.
I'm guessing you're using the Axe-FX in this clip? Nails the EVH tone. Love it.
Yes indeed
@@LeonTodd HI Leon, FX2 or 3? I'd have to sell a lot of gear to get one of these, but in your opinion, for the long sake keepsake, it it worth it? I'm not a professional muso, but a lifetime noodler. All my gear is valve, but it's always a pain in the arse to fire it up, and change and dial in tones for different songs when you try to play covers. Plus, it's too loud to get a decent tone.
Currently trying out VST amps in a DAW (amplitube, Guitar rig, etc), but the thing that always nagged me about it was the slight latency. Does the Axe FX have any latency at all? How about the Kemper? It's a bit cheaper, how does that fare?
Love your work man, it would be great if you did a shoot-out between say FX2, Kemper, and a VST like Amplitube or Guitar Rig.
My saying is *If it sounds good you're playing it right*
Yeah hell anybody can play It right
So Very Cool, Thankyou. Love to see Decent Into The Maelstrom by Australian Punk/New Wave Band Radio Birdman. And Maybe do a Bio Vid on Deniz Tek Lead Guitarist from Radio Birdman (Amazing solo in this song). He left the band in early 1980's when band "disbanded" studied to became a Doctor/Surgeon and Became a Top Gun Pilot. WOW Over-Achiever, So Awesome.
Fun piece of trivia - my Dad was invited to jam with a proto-Birdman lineup and for whatever reason it never happened. He's another force of nature, good at anything he applies himself to bloke.
Every, absolutely every, teenager should have an 'Uncle Tony' !!
Only somewhat related, but I find people often forget that Black Sabbath did C# standard (ok, not drop C#, but still) way back in 1971, but pretty much no one else seems to have tuned down besides sabbath before 1981. I have to wonder why more metal bands didn't tune down in the 70's.
Brian May used Drop D in Prophet's Song from "A Night at the Opera". Also, Hendrix tuned half step down from Bold as Love (if I remember correctly) and often tuned even lower when playing live
Standard is lower than just dropping the lowest string down one.
It's not "somewhat related." Sabbath absolutely was the inspiration for EVH's compositions on Fair Warning. VH covered Sabbath tunes in their Pasadena days. They toured with Sabbath in 1978. EVH quizzed Tony Iommi specifically about "Master of Reality, side 2 track 2." Tony told him to fuck off, how was he supposed to remember that? Someone pulled the same shit on Ed years later, he understood how Tony felt. That's from Dodds' biography.
Half of Sabbath’s raddest hits from the 70’s were in C#. Sabbath influences everyone.
Best VH album for sure!!!agreed
Hey Leon, how about a go at “Razor KIng” from Gamma 1, The great Ronnie Montrose! I’d love to see/hear your take on that!
p.s. love your channel /playing ! Jeff
“Goes out to his cahhh...”
🙂❤️
If you happen to have a good uncle, there's really nothing better as a kid.
Yes!
I love Van Halen. The music demolishes my brain. 🤘🏻🤘🏻
Thank you for the fun piece, you’re not alone in butchering other players stuff😆... but I actually heard this come out of Eddie Van Halen‘s mouth,” that’s why they calling music theory, not music fact” really appreciate that comment, because Eddie was right!
I'm 55, I play it the way you did.
I'm not changing now.
IMO, "Fair Warning" is The best VH album! That whole intro to "Mean Streets" and me, cranking my car stereo to 11! "Dirty Movies" with Alex' driving, shuffle beat, Michael's bass harmonics and Eddie pounding his guitar and then dive-bombing. How about Eddie's solo on "One Foot Out The Door?" This was a BEAST of an album and deserves to be played LOUD and on a continuous loop, everywhere! Especially at my job, where I have the pleasure of listening to the most horrible music ever recorded, Mexican pop music! No offense but, do you guys really listen to that shit or is it just tradition? 'cause it's horrible! A jumbled mess of Accordion, some kind of horns, drums and a lot of yelling. It gives me a headache, literally!
Good to know! Thank you!!
Agree Leon. For me 'Fair Warning' is the best rock album of all time. So much going on in the guitar area, also the vocals of David Lee Roth are at his finest. Still sounds great after so many years and his soloing is like no other.
It's the sound of pure charisma
Four years late here, but yes, you are playing the Jerry Cantrell riff incorrectly as well! A couple quick youtube searches or “official” guitar tab searches will have you squared away in no time. (My little cover band plays that song in clubs around Seattle.) Regardless, you’re an amazing guitar player and have a very cool youtube channel. Best wishes!!
It's all part of the fun isn't it?
I’ve been playing for 30 years.. I want to know where the bands played the riffs.. then I adjust it to my level. Gotta go with what you got…haha
Maybe I’m wrong but I thought EVH used a MXR Phase 90.
Even though I’m an old guy who’s spent most of his time play bass (albeit Rush I was playing) I hope to get mor comfortable on guitar like yo are. My fingers struggle getting on the right strings. Then strumming ads more complexity. I feel like that meme of that old guy yelling and pounding on his hand hoping that will help his fingers work better. Thanks for the vid.
no,its a flanger...a more aggressive wave sound than a phase...
And john lennon is the dude that coined the term for that effect.
2:04 Why wouldn't you just watch a video of Edward playing it ???
Bamm
Because his video would only last two minutes.
Christo Volksto Because you learn in a different way when you use your ears, not your eyes. Sometimes the most difficult way is the better way.
Fair Warning is my favourite. There is only 1 song I don't like during the DLR ere and that's Jump.
Can you tell me the notes you were playing in the first riff
Intrigued as to why you have the locking tabs off the nut on your Wolfgang?
I don't ever use the bar on this guitar so it's easier for me
Here's Ed playing Unchained
th-cam.com/video/8L6cefSzrxg/w-d-xo.html
You just popped up in my feed and I've got a big grin on my face. Love the video. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Control that flanger with an expression pedal. Problem solved \m/
This fascinating! I have been a "Keef Richards" in a Stones tribute band from age 15-22 and I really obsessed getting things completely right. Up to the point that I can still do it from muscle memory.
But my mum once said when I was rehearsing: "Why not give it your own spin? What is the use of carbon copying someone else?"
And it planted a seed in my 17 year old brain, that by the time I was 22, I was DONE with exactly copying people. But just hearing what they play and make you own interpretations from it, learn that technique but not necessarily the lick or riff note fo note.
And that's when I actually discovered, that I could write my own music -- never thought before I could or was good enough. But then it actually becomes you and is you! And your own thing and style. Like Eddie took inspiration and ideas that he put into his own style from rock 'n roll legends.
it is always best to play it exactly as it is recorded in the version of the song that youre emulating. The person who wrote it always has figured out the best way to play it, Ive never encountered an exception. I hate when people play things wrong/differently whether on purpose or not.
@@joejones9520 I’m sorry but I don’t agree. Most artists aren’t perfectionists and only play what and how is in their ability, there’s no conscious “let’s do it like this”. Music (especially in bands) logically flow like language.
And let’s look at all these artists performing live, they can’t come close to their own recordings. So they don’t even bother and also evolve. As they get older more proficient and more knowledgeable.
And if you got to watch a cover band last thing I want is an exact copy of that band they play. Otherwise I can get a DJ and I loathe parties with DJs over live music.
Oh and I maybe your first exception many of my own songs I never intended to come out the way it was. And if I’d redo them they’ll sound and feel different.
If I had a dollar for every time you mention Warren DeMartini.....;-) These "position purists" are yet to learn guitar allows inversions of the same melody/riff/chord at MULTIPLE locations on the neck. This is bc its an ensemble instrument and position should be dictated by band/format sonic space requirements and hopefully in original and compelling ways that tell the audience something about you and stay true to the spontaneous nature of rock. As opposed to being a tool for reciting note perfect sterile reproductions of yesterdays heroes for Instagram in your mom's basement ;-) MOM QUIET I"M TYPING HERE!
"MOM, MEATLOAF!"
REAL guitar players do not do copy versions of the studio album they had to do to make the bean counters happy. You'll never find a vid of Terry Kath or Ritchie Blackmore doing a solo they did on a studio album. They both laughed at fools that tried to do so. The internet has create a ton of highly talented technicians...and has ruined music. Music requires thought and feeling, not robot technique...like a cut and paste solo in a Rush concert...unless you have a sleep disorder.
Them Bones was wrong, 1st strum is an upstroke with a D chord and open Db, and palm muted all the way through the rest of the riff.
Should do a video on how hard it is to nail Malcolm Young playing. Sounds easy. Until you try it. 🤘
As long as you recognize that the different voicings do sound different, I think you are cleared hot to play it however you want to... Unfortunately however, a good number of people don’t really use their ears before they use their fingers, leading to the torturing of Long and McQuade employees on a Saturday afternoon with “their interpretation “ (for an American version of “Long and McQuade, just read: Music Center). 😏
Wow! I can't stop playing this backwards. Oh well just keep on learning. I bet E.V.H. played it different sometimes. And then there's the tone. Very few get the edward sound. And which era anyway! Rock On!
How to watch a Leon Todd video. Click play....click like...then watch video.
I had a similar experience with Castles Made of Sand by Hendrix. Pre-TH-cam, I I learned it by ear. It’s so NOT what Hendrix did. I eventually learned the “right” way but still like “my” way 🤷♂️
That pre-chorus is a testament to Van Halen's genius! Who writes a pre-chorus that is the most interesting and complicated part of the song?!? It's BANANAS! I love it!
umm i might be able to help.....that struggle.....wtf really.....?why teach if you don't know....?
You're really close on that opening riff, Leon. But, Ed plays the Bflat and C without their 5th string roots. He only plays that major shape you're doing on the D chord each time and then on the F. You can see it on the Jimmy Kimmel live footage if you look closely. th-cam.com/video/RFuIrUsadog/w-d-xo.html
That's super cool 😎 brother, Just like KING EDDIE VAN HALEN said... "Nothing is wrong on playing guitar 🎸, it's playing, and practicing, just like DR.s and Lawyers, they practice law and medicine,they don't have it right, it's called practicing"
Fair Warning was a mind blower, as much as the first Van Halen album. They had risen from amazing on the first albums to magnificent by this album. Peak of their creativity here.
Wrong.
You're not allowed to rewrite history.
Fair warning was a disaster.
They were known world wide as a mime show.
They pretended to play for the cameras.
@@Gma7788 Haha! Worldwide? Maybe worldwide on your block, because in the real world they ruled it at that time. But if you remember it differently who can tell you different. Talk about rewriting history right there.