Eddie didn’t start tapping and using the tremolo bar until about a year before they recorded the 1st VH album. There are pics of Eddie playing a Les Paul, or a strat with no tremolo bar in the early days. So he perfected his tapping and tremolo techniques in only about 1 year of doing it. Amazing talent.
Eddie's book is really good. Can't put it down. ERUPTION: Conversations with Eddie Van Halen. You will learn about his family, vision, his sound, and of course, the band stuff.
David Lee Roth explained the secret of Eddie's unpredictable solos in later recordings. He would improvise many takes and the mixer would quickly blend licks from different takes, prompting Eddie to try to learn the overall shape of the solo (not necessarily note for note) to play live. The Jump solo being a good example.
I’m not so sure about this. I think they were different takes, but I don’t think it was “patchwork”. If that’s what you think DLR is saying. Ed was amazing, and if he didn’t like something he’d redo it. His reach, and ear made his playing fit no matter the scenario. He could blast you…or be tasteful…it was up to him in that moment. Edit….i think he improvised a lot, but were also talking about a man who would do lots of drinking and such. As we get older, I know for me…I can’t do what I once did while being hammered…but slightly buzzed and relaxed once in a while is a nice time to let go! I like your point about Jump, which was I think his favourite solo. Al’s drumming doesn’t get enough credit either, as he kept Ed and Mike on the tracks, or Wolf too who played more of a lead style bass(flashy) while in VH almost doubling as rhythm guitarist. Rock On! Man I miss Ed! ❤
@Kinger1625 Yeah, tbf...as much as I love DLR, his grandiose BS makes it hard to tell which of his lies are the truth or not 😂. Although, I could certainly buy it on the Jump solo, as it's all over the place. If not the truth, it's a pretty hot yarn anyway.
Nothing astounding here... very common practice in the studio to "comp" a guitar solo by selecting best bits from multiple takes. Jimmy Page did it as well as almost everybody that records multitrack.
Eddie's book is really good. Can't put it down. ERUPTION: Conversations with Eddie Van Halen. You will learn about his family, vision, his sound, and of course, the band stuff.
Tapping, which is actually called right-handed hammer on, was a small part of his playing. Eddie's songwriting, rhythm and timing were his greatest strengths.
not really, Leo Fender actually invented the tele, strat and all the amps that all modern guitar amps are based on. Eddie made a few adjustments thats all. EVH is seriously overrated
Jimi Hendrix was Jimi Hendrix! He invented the rotovibe and helped design the wah pedal and octave pedal. Flanger and more. He made everything up, based on his understanding of the blues.
That's an excellent point. Hendrix also had a bit of the Mad Scientist going on. He coiled his own pickups and heavily modded all his equipment. Eddie Kramer tells some incredible stories about Hendrix in the studio and what he could do with technology.
I’m glad you mentioned both classical and jazz influenced. I did a project on this in University. His ear for lead lines, and melodic passages, all while staying so rhythmic and musical….i mean there is no doubt he was a musical genius. Only a few guys can push the limits of the guitar, and many of them do not play in bands like Ed did. Frank Zappa was a musical genius too…and he saw this in Ed, as still does his son Dweezil who can tear it up playing either man’s material. Wolfgang and Dweezil should collaborate. lol.
From Grok :Could Eddie Van Halen read music? Answer Eddie Van Halen was known more for his intuitive and innovative approach to music rather than formal training. He did not rely heavily on reading sheet music. Instead, Van Halen was famous for his ear and ability to play by feel. He learned much of his technique through experimentation and listening rather than through traditional music notation. This is quite common among many self-taught musicians who develop their skills through playing rather than formal education in music theory. However, there's no definitive public statement from Eddie himself saying he could or couldn't read music, but his approach to guitar was primarily through listening and playing.
Eddie was a curious , energetic , and experimental musician genius , that’s what the 1% have , oh and natural talent and a love for the guitar 🎸.. Pure genius !!
Eddie was way more than just an amazing guitarist. Every VanHalen album created a feeling and mood through the compositions and attitude in the music. People can copy his playing , but almost nobody can create original music like the VanHalen albums.
In 200 years, EVH will still be talked about and listened to; his music analyzed for that elusive thing that can't be bought or taught. Satriani won't. Like Satriani, there are ten thousand little kids and teenagers on UA-cam with perfect technique and "theory", and nobody will ever recognize what they write and play after hearing just a few bars unless they're sound engineers or robots.
You're deluded about Satriani. He's the most successful solo guitar artist is rock n' roll. He's styles are extremely varied and being able to portray EVH, Blackmore, and more as a man asked to perform on tours from landmark groups alone should make you laugh at your own comment. Satriani admired EVH's harmonies and melodies. Like respects like. Satriani introduced a new ear of guitarist when Not of this Earth, Surfin' with an Alien, Flying in a Blue Dream, then The Extremist from 86-92. Musicians will be drawing from his compositions easily as long as EVH. Satriani is a Blues, Jazz and Progressive Rock guitarist who puts melodies and harmonies as the key to song composition: he writes music that easily could be adapted to many vocalists. EVH brokered a new era in the late 70s through the mid '80s and then it was Satriani. In between SRV, Malmsteen, Vai and many others left their mark. Today, who is still in the game and continuing to sell out tours around the world? Satriani. He can do Pop, straight up Rock, Blues, Jazz/Fusion, Metal, Progressive. I love EVH and was disappointed he was suck an addict for so much of his time after VH1 that we missed out on what could have been. Satriani is one of those artists that never put drugs before music. He never needed it.
If you look at his solos you can see that he would start in a good place, end in a good place, and in between he would play every note except the flat 2 and the flat 6. I don't think that's the reason why Van Halen never covered Eleanor Rigby.
Eddie was largely musically illiterate... when he played slower stuff he would stick to minor pentatonic scale like Clapton but when he went for faster shredding he would just revert to finger patterns that he made up himself and had no basis on any logical musical scale... just a blur of essentially random notes. Most other shredders of the day had a technical background and would use legitimate modal scales. That's what joe is talking about... must be painful for him to transcribe this stuff that is basically nonsensical from a music theory standpoint.
EVH has raised the bar in music with that tapping on electric guitar. The new kids, with the guitar, will make us all look weak; thanks to EVH. I love it. Yes, my personality is behind my music that I make. Nobody like me.
Joe and Ed are actually pretty similar thinkers when it comes to guitar in my opinion. Eddie was more into discovering things that no one else did though, improving on old ways and coming up with stuff no one ever considered. They are both amazing though. You don't get as far as either one of them got in the music world by being ok.
yes, ed is a musical genius, i always thought and knew that the first time i heard him. i was 11yrs old when vh1 hit, been a loyal fan ever since, his rhythm is what i like best, i'm more of a rhythm guitar fan so when i heard him, i was in awe. all of his mad scientist talent with equipment, not taking guitar lessons and learning on his own, tapping and guitar wizard playing, composing, how fast he was on the guitar (lightening fast), his cool guitars, brilliant creativity, just everything about him and his wizardry. if i had only two words to describe eddie would be guitar wizard, like an mid evil times wizard walking around with a guitar and performing magic on it or with it. he's always been my number 1 guitarist of all time, hands down, no one else is even close in my ratings and opinion. i sure do miss him and neil peart.
While there are a few guitar players here on youtube who can do EVH and do the EVH feel/sound justice. Joe cannot do it. It's more than playing the correct notes with EVH. There is more to it. You can tell that it's EVH after about 3 notes. Not just the leads either.
For a rock guitarist attitude is the most important attribute besides skills. Personality and attitude don't always follow each other! But Eddie had both. Who would have thought he played a large venue with Music Man head. Those were solid amps thanks to Leo Fender.
He played guitar like a percussionist IMO. I was at both of those Texxas Jams when the played the cotton bowl in Dallas. That was the VH1 and VH2 tours.
I never hear Anyone notice this but he has a guitar strapped to him in every picture,, video wherever he's at.ive only seen him with out it on when he would be with Valerie at a movie debut.i know he played a lot.I think it would be very hard to find a picture.On flight he wouldn't.i will Google to see pictures
Of course EVH was a musical genius--but just as obvious is that his persona augmented his reputation. There are thousands of musical geniuses who will never see the light of day just due to sheer luck or lack of ambition etc.
EVH liked to live in the pentatonic scale most of the time. That's where Van Halen made their money. Party chords. His forays into other modes(Or scales) were merely flash. EVH did not invent "Tapping"...
Eddie was a gifted guitar technique innovator, but he never composed enough interesting music to be a musical genius. Compared to Hendrix and Page who were true musical geniuses and each wrote dozens of memorable, incredible and celebrated pieces of music, Eddie has practically zero artistically credible compositions to his name
Eddie was an incredible innovator in many ways. This extends to his compositions, and his incredible sense of groove (The Right Hand aspect most DON'T talk about.) The tapping and the whammy tricks/screams/harmonics plays were very unique as well, and definitely are a trademark that many can pick him by, but don't forget Ed's studio inventiveness too. Using the Variac to lower the voltage on his Marshall, etc - his pioneering use of the Floyd Rose tremolo system, and his constant tinkering with guitars to bring them closer to the visions he had in his head. The list here is endless... I believe has had more of an influence on guitarists worldwide than maybe even Hendrix...
What a shame and huge loss that Eddie is gone.A onetime great .I’m glad I was around to hear and see him.
There's playing by the book (Joe), and then there's writing your own book (Ed).
Not really. Joe wrote his own book also, it's just different.
Eddie once said the only rule of music theory is " if it sounds good, it's right" .
There are no rules!!!
He was a musical genius
There can be only one: King Edward the Van Halen.
Eddie didn’t start tapping and using the tremolo bar until about a year before they recorded the 1st VH album. There are pics of Eddie playing a Les Paul, or a strat with no tremolo bar in the early days. So he perfected his tapping and tremolo techniques in only about 1 year of doing it. Amazing talent.
That's an important point I'd never really considered...
Eddie's book is really good. Can't put it down. ERUPTION: Conversations with Eddie Van Halen. You will learn about his family, vision, his sound, and of course, the band stuff.
I didn't even know about that book. Sounds pretty good!
Great player. One of the best there will ever be.
David Lee Roth explained the secret of Eddie's unpredictable solos in later recordings. He would improvise many takes and the mixer would quickly blend licks from different takes, prompting Eddie to try to learn the overall shape of the solo (not necessarily note for note) to play live. The Jump solo being a good example.
I’m not so sure about this. I think they were different takes, but I don’t think it was “patchwork”. If that’s what you think DLR is saying. Ed was amazing, and if he didn’t like something he’d redo it. His reach, and ear made his playing fit no matter the scenario. He could blast you…or be tasteful…it was up to him in that moment.
Edit….i think he improvised a lot, but were also talking about a man who would do lots of drinking and such. As we get older, I know for me…I can’t do what I once did while being hammered…but slightly buzzed and relaxed once in a while is a nice time to let go! I like your point about Jump, which was I think his favourite solo. Al’s drumming doesn’t get enough credit either, as he kept Ed and Mike on the tracks, or Wolf too who played more of a lead style bass(flashy) while in VH almost doubling as rhythm guitarist. Rock On!
Man I miss Ed! ❤
@Kinger1625 Yeah, tbf...as much as I love DLR, his grandiose BS makes it hard to tell which of his lies are the truth or not 😂. Although, I could certainly buy it on the Jump solo, as it's all over the place. If not the truth, it's a pretty hot yarn anyway.
@ definately, and Roth was king of creating interest…funny nobody has debunked it though?
Nothing astounding here... very common practice in the studio to "comp" a guitar solo by selecting best bits from multiple takes. Jimmy Page did it as well as almost everybody that records multitrack.
@@rockdanger Agreed, I merely present it as a possible explanation to Satriani's comment about Eddie's playing not making musical sense.
Edward was the modern day Mozart! History will look back and realize what a genius he really was.
Eddie's book is really good. Can't put it down. ERUPTION: Conversations with Eddie Van Halen. You will learn about his family, vision, his sound, and of course, the band stuff.
Eddie was both a musical (and engineering) genius **and** a flashy lightning boy. That combination is what made him great.
Tapping, which is actually called right-handed hammer on, was a small part of his playing. Eddie's songwriting, rhythm and timing were his greatest strengths.
Agree!
Edward was tesla of guitar. Playing and gear innovations. No one can come close
not really, Leo Fender actually invented the tele, strat and all the amps that all modern guitar amps are based on. Eddie made a few adjustments thats all. EVH is seriously overrated
Jimi Hendrix was Jimi Hendrix! He invented the rotovibe and helped design the wah pedal and octave pedal. Flanger and more. He made everything up, based on his understanding of the blues.
That's an excellent point. Hendrix also had a bit of the Mad Scientist going on. He coiled his own pickups and heavily modded all his equipment. Eddie Kramer tells some incredible stories about Hendrix in the studio and what he could do with technology.
@ Yes and he developed the Octave pedal as well as helped Jim Marshall design his amps.
I’m glad you mentioned both classical and jazz influenced. I did a project on this in University. His ear for lead lines, and melodic passages, all while staying so rhythmic and musical….i mean there is no doubt he was a musical genius. Only a few guys can push the limits of the guitar, and many of them do not play in bands like Ed did.
Frank Zappa was a musical genius too…and he saw this in Ed, as still does his son Dweezil who can tear it up playing either man’s material.
Wolfgang and Dweezil should collaborate. lol.
They just might!!! lol
From Grok :Could Eddie Van Halen read music?
Answer
Eddie Van Halen was known more for his intuitive and innovative approach to music rather than formal training. He did not rely heavily on reading sheet music. Instead, Van Halen was famous for his ear and ability to play by feel. He learned much of his technique through experimentation and listening rather than through traditional music notation. This is quite common among many self-taught musicians who develop their skills through playing rather than formal education in music theory. However, there's no definitive public statement from Eddie himself saying he could or couldn't read music, but his approach to guitar was primarily through listening and playing.
Eddie was a curious , energetic , and experimental musician genius , that’s what the 1% have , oh and natural talent and a love for the guitar 🎸.. Pure genius !!
Eddie was way more than just an amazing guitarist. Every VanHalen album created a feeling and mood through the compositions and attitude in the music. People can copy his playing , but almost nobody can create original music like the VanHalen albums.
He is one of the most original songwriters and guitarists of his time for sure.
Satriani is a great player himself , shows it's hard as hell to play Edward's songs .
There will never be another EVH
That's a fact.
He was a true musical genius…..period!!!!
Okay, if you say so steve.
In 200 years, EVH will still be talked about and listened to; his music analyzed for that elusive thing that can't be bought or taught. Satriani won't. Like Satriani, there are ten thousand little kids and teenagers on UA-cam with perfect technique and "theory", and nobody will ever recognize what they write and play after hearing just a few bars unless they're sound engineers or robots.
You're deluded about Satriani. He's the most successful solo guitar artist is rock n' roll. He's styles are extremely varied and being able to portray EVH, Blackmore, and more as a man asked to perform on tours from landmark groups alone should make you laugh at your own comment. Satriani admired EVH's harmonies and melodies. Like respects like. Satriani introduced a new ear of guitarist when Not of this Earth, Surfin' with an Alien, Flying in a Blue Dream, then The Extremist from 86-92. Musicians will be drawing from his compositions easily as long as EVH.
Satriani is a Blues, Jazz and Progressive Rock guitarist who puts melodies and harmonies as the key to song composition: he writes music that easily could be adapted to many vocalists. EVH brokered a new era in the late 70s through the mid '80s and then it was Satriani. In between SRV, Malmsteen, Vai and many others left their mark. Today, who is still in the game and continuing to sell out tours around the world? Satriani. He can do Pop, straight up Rock, Blues, Jazz/Fusion, Metal, Progressive. I love EVH and was disappointed he was suck an addict for so much of his time after VH1 that we missed out on what could have been.
Satriani is one of those artists that never put drugs before music. He never needed it.
If you look at his solos you can see that he would start in a good place, end in a good place, and in between he would play every note except the flat 2 and the flat 6. I don't think that's the reason why Van Halen never covered Eleanor Rigby.
Eddie was largely musically illiterate... when he played slower stuff he would stick to minor pentatonic scale like Clapton but when he went for faster shredding he would just revert to finger patterns that he made up himself and had no basis on any logical musical scale... just a blur of essentially random notes. Most other shredders of the day had a technical background and would use legitimate modal scales. That's what joe is talking about... must be painful for him to transcribe this stuff that is basically nonsensical from a music theory standpoint.
Just shows how much of a guru Ed was in his playing getting a nod from another guitar god JS !
EVH has raised the bar in music with that tapping on electric guitar. The new kids, with the guitar, will make us all look weak; thanks to EVH.
I love it. Yes, my personality is behind my music that I make. Nobody like me.
Joe and Ed are actually pretty similar thinkers when it comes to guitar in my opinion. Eddie was more into discovering things that no one else did though, improving on old ways and coming up with stuff no one ever considered. They are both amazing though. You don't get as far as either one of them got in the music world by being ok.
yes, ed is a musical genius, i always thought and knew that the first time i heard him. i was 11yrs old when vh1 hit, been a loyal fan ever since, his rhythm is what i like best, i'm more of a rhythm guitar fan so when i heard him, i was in awe. all of his mad scientist talent with equipment, not taking guitar lessons and learning on his own, tapping and guitar wizard playing, composing, how fast he was on the guitar (lightening fast), his cool guitars, brilliant creativity, just everything about him and his wizardry. if i had only two words to describe eddie would be guitar wizard, like an mid evil times wizard walking around with a guitar and performing magic on it or with it. he's always been my number 1 guitarist of all time, hands down, no one else is even close in my ratings and opinion. i sure do miss him and neil peart.
Well said!
While there are a few guitar players here on youtube who can do EVH and do the EVH feel/sound justice. Joe cannot do it.
It's more than playing the correct notes with EVH. There is more to it. You can tell that it's EVH after about 3 notes. Not just the leads either.
So true! He was an incredible rhythm guitarist and an incredible keyboard player. It's a shame so many people just focus on 'Eruption."
Nobody sounded like ED when he came out. Satriani sounds like ED when he came out.
Satch is awesome but he's heavily influenced by EVH.
Joe had a focused intent. They approach the instrument differently.
For a rock guitarist attitude is the most important attribute besides skills. Personality and attitude don't always follow each other! But Eddie had both. Who would have thought he played a large venue with Music Man head. Those were solid amps thanks to Leo Fender.
He played guitar like a percussionist IMO.
I was at both of those Texxas Jams when the played the cotton bowl in Dallas. That was the VH1 and VH2 tours.
I never hear Anyone notice this but he has a guitar strapped to him in every picture,, video wherever he's at.ive only seen him with out it on when he would be with Valerie at a movie debut.i know he played a lot.I think it would be very hard to find a picture.On flight he wouldn't.i will Google to see pictures
Shows how jealous people were that they wouldn't lend him an amplifier, pretty petty sad.cus he let people borrow or have all the time
Of course EVH was a musical genius--but just as obvious is that his persona augmented his reputation. There are thousands of musical geniuses who will never see the light of day just due to sheer luck or lack of ambition etc.
That's true. I just did a vid on that very topic, called "Is Ritchie Blackmore Right About Hobby Musicians.?" Hope you'll check it out. 😎
EVH liked to live in the pentatonic scale most of the time. That's where Van Halen made their money. Party chords. His forays into other modes(Or scales) were merely flash. EVH did not invent "Tapping"...
Eddie was a gifted guitar technique innovator, but he never composed enough interesting music to be a musical genius. Compared to Hendrix and Page who were true musical geniuses and each wrote dozens of memorable, incredible and celebrated pieces of music, Eddie has practically zero artistically credible compositions to his name
Eddie was an incredible innovator in many ways. This extends to his compositions, and his incredible sense of groove (The Right Hand aspect most DON'T talk about.) The tapping and the whammy tricks/screams/harmonics plays were very unique as well, and definitely are a trademark that many can pick him by, but don't forget Ed's studio inventiveness too. Using the Variac to lower the voltage on his Marshall, etc - his pioneering use of the Floyd Rose tremolo system, and his constant tinkering with guitars to bring them closer to the visions he had in his head. The list here is endless... I believe has had more of an influence on guitarists worldwide than maybe even Hendrix...
Well Satriani is great but he will never sounds like EVH because it's not his style. Why they don't just hire Cameron Cooper