Learn to Play Van Halen Volume 2 - A Deeper Dive Into the Legendary Guitar Universe

Immerse yourself in the world of Van Halen with the second volume of Licklibrary's meticulously designed guitar lessons, "Learn to Play Van Halen Volume 2". The product includes in-depth instructions on five of Van Halen's most beloved songs: "You Really Got Me", "I'm The One", "Mean Street", "Drop Dead Legs" and "Beautiful Girls". Each song is broken down by veteran tutor Jamie Humphries into easy-to-follow modules, highlighting different guitar techniques, solo analysis, and exploration of scales used, all to guide you in mastering these classic tracks.

You Really Got Me

Originally a Kinks' classic, "You Really Got Me" gained a new lease of life when Van Halen covered it. The song's arrangement is in E minor and uses pentatonic and blues scales. Eddie's distinct two-handed tapping technique is on full display here, transforming the song's original gritty vibe into an explosive rendition that defines the Van Halen sound.

The solo of "You Really Got Me" showcases Eddie's ability to seamlessly mix rhythm and lead parts, allowing him to make broad and rapid melodic jumps. He utilizes a combination of rapid pull-offs and hammer-ons interspersed with string bending to create an aggressive, yet melodic solo.

I'm The One

"I'm The One" is a high-energy track in E that showcases Eddie's seamless integration of rhythm and lead playing. The song employs a complex blend of major and minor pentatonic scales, offering a compelling study in how these scales can be mixed to create a unique sound.

The solo section of "I'm The One" features a mixture of bluesy bends and fast alternate picking runs, a testament to Eddie's vast musical vocabulary. This section ends with a series of tapped harmonics, adding a final touch of brilliance to the song.

Mean Street

"Mean Street", in F# minor, starts with a unique tapped harmonic intro that became one of Eddie's signatures. The song's rhythmic complexity demonstrates the use of syncopated rhythms, which contributes to its hard-driving feel.

The solo section features a flurry of techniques, including rapid legato runs, bluesy bends, and even more tapped harmonics. It's a perfect example of Eddie's knack for crafting solos that are as musically rich as they are technically demanding.

Drop Dead Legs

In "Drop Dead Legs", you will delve into the realms of A minor and D major scales. The song is a great example of how power chords can be used to create a heavy, driving rhythm. It features a strong rhythmic backbone enhanced by the strategic use of palm muting.

The solo section of "Drop Dead Legs" is a masterclass in the use of slides and vibrato, demonstrating how these techniques can be used to add expression to a solo. Eddie's use of double stops adds a bluesy feel to the mix.

Beautiful Girls

"Beautiful Girls" is an upbeat track in E major that shows off Eddie's ability to create catchy, melodic rock riffs. The song is structured around a series of open-string riffs and chord progressions that give it a bright, ringing sound.

The solo in "Beautiful Girls" uses an exciting array of techniques, including legato, trills, and tremolo picking. Here, Eddie shows how these techniques can be combined to create a solo that is as fun to play as it is to listen to.

Eddie Van Halen: A Revolutionary Guitarist

Van Halen's lead guitarist, Eddie Van Halen, played a pivotal role in shaping these songs. His revolutionary guitar playing techniques and approach to writing and arranging music made Van Halen stand out among their peers. Eddie's notable contribution to these songs ranges from introducing two-handed tapping to popular music to his innovative use of harmonics and legato playing.


Guitar Techniques Included in the Lessons:

Here's a comprehensive list of the guitar techniques you'll get to master with "Learn to Play Van Halen Volume 2":

With "Learn to Play Van Halen Volume 2", you are not only learning how to play iconic rock anthems, but also exploring the innovative guitar techniques that have defined Eddie Van Halen's legacy and shaped rock music. It's time to pick up your axe, plug in, and let the music begin!

About The Tutor

Tutor Profile

Jamie Humphries

Jamie is one of the mainstays of LickLibrary, having a stream of hugely successful best selling DVDs, Jamie is best known as Brian May's sideman who he's played shows with all over the world. Aside from this Jamie is a hugely popular clinician working all over the world with Ernie...

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