Eddie Van Halen - Tech Session

Unlock the revolutionary guitar techniques of a rock icon with the ‘Eddie Van Halen - Tech Session,’ an immersive online guitar course from Licklibrary.com. This comprehensive program is your gateway to mastering the groundbreaking innovations that made Eddie Van Halen one of the most influential guitarists of all time. If you have ever been mesmerized by his lightning-fast two-handed tapping, expressive whammy bar tricks, or signature “brown sound,” this course provides the expert guidance you need to incorporate these elements into your own playing. Guided by the expertise of renowned instructor Nick Jennison, you will deconstruct the essential components of Eddie Van Halen’s style, from his aggressive rhythm playing to his explosive solos. This is more than just a collection of licks; it’s a deep dive into the mindset and mechanics of a true guitar legend, designed to help you elevate your playing and develop your unique voice on the instrument.
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Nick Jennison Tutor, Professional Guitarist
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Lessons Included in this Course

1 Lesson
2 Performance

Course Content Overview

This course offers a structured and in-depth exploration of the techniques that defined Eddie Van Halen’s sound. You will learn to execute his most iconic moves with precision and confidence, while also understanding the musical context in which they are used. The lessons are designed to be progressive, building your skills from the ground up and providing you with the tools to tackle even the most challenging Van Halen tracks.

Here’s a breakdown of the lesson contents:

  • **Two-Handed Tapping:** Master the art of two-handed tapping, the technique that revolutionised rock guitar and became synonymous with the Van Halen sound.
  • **Tapped Harmonics:** Learn to create bell-like tones and screaming harmonics with Eddie’s signature tapped harmonics technique.
  • **Vibrato and Bends:** Develop a powerful and expressive vibrato, and learn to execute the wide, aggressive string bends that were a hallmark of his style.
  • **Whammy Bar Techniques:** Explore the creative use of the whammy bar, from subtle flutters to dramatic dive bombs, and learn how to keep your guitar in tune.
  • **Rhythm and Riffing:** Delve into Eddie’s unique approach to rhythm playing, including his use of syncopation, power chords, and intricate strumming patterns.
  • **Soloing Concepts:** Understand the scales, arpeggios, and melodic ideas that formed the basis of his most memorable solos.
  • **The “Brown Sound”:** Discover the secrets behind his iconic tone, and learn how to dial in a similar sound with your own gear.

This Course is Ideal for Players Who...

This course is perfect for intermediate to advanced guitarists who are looking to take their playing to the next level. It is particularly well-suited for those who want to:

  • Master the essential techniques of Eddie Van Halen.
  • Improve their speed, accuracy, and dexterity on the guitar.
  • Develop a more dynamic and expressive playing style.
  • Understand the theory and concepts behind rock guitar improvisation.
  • Learn to play classic Van Halen songs and solos.

What will I achieve from completing this course?

The ‘Eddie Van Halen - Tech Session’ is more than just a series of video lessons; it’s a comprehensive learning experience that is designed to get you results. Nick Jennison’s clear and concise teaching style breaks down complex techniques into manageable steps, while the high-quality video and close-up camera angles ensure that you don’t miss a single detail. With the included backing tracks and performance examples, you will have everything you need to practice and apply your new skills in a musical context. This course will not only teach you how to play like Eddie Van Halen, but it will also inspire you to push the boundaries of your own creativity and become the guitarist you’ve always wanted to be.

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1-ON-1 COACHING

Access to thousands of lessons is great, but without a plan you can feel like you’re practicing in circles. Book your FREE 1-on-1 video call with a Licklibrary pro to fix your technique, build a practice plan, get motivated, or overcome any challenge. It's all included in your membership!

** Disclaimer **
*This product is not endorsed by or made in association with Eddie Van Halen nor does Eddie Van Halen perform or appear on this course.*

Eddie Van Halen - Tech Session by Nick Jennison

Overview

"Eddie Van Halen - Tech Session" by Nick Jennison offers guitar enthusiasts an in-depth exploration of the legendary guitarist's techniques and style. This comprehensive lesson package includes detailed breakdowns of Eddie Van Halen's signature techniques, along with full performance examples by Nick Jennison. By engaging with these lessons, viewers can enhance their technical skills, understand the intricacies of Van Halen's playing, and see how these techniques are applied in a musical context.

Lesson Breakdown

Vibrato

Vibrato is a technique where the pitch of a note is slightly varied, creating a quivering sound. This technique adds expressiveness to your playing, making your notes sound more dynamic and emotionally charged. Learning vibrato will enhance your ability to convey feeling through your music.

Alternate Picking

Alternate picking involves striking the strings with both downstrokes and upstrokes in a consistent alternating pattern. This technique increases your picking efficiency and speed, allowing you to play fast passages with greater precision and control. Mastering alternate picking is essential for tackling Van Halen's rapid, articulate runs.

Legato

Legato playing involves smoothly connecting notes using hammer-ons and pull-offs rather than picking each note individually. This technique produces a fluid, seamless sound that is crucial for executing Van Halen's blistering solos and melodic lines. Developing strong legato skills will improve your overall dexterity and smoothness.

Tapped Harmonics

Tapped harmonics involve lightly tapping a string at a specific fret to produce a bell-like harmonic tone. This advanced technique adds a unique, ethereal quality to your playing. Learning tapped harmonics will expand your sonic palette and allow you to incorporate more diverse sounds into your solos.

Double-Stop Bends

Double-stop bends require bending two strings simultaneously, creating rich, harmonised tones. This technique adds depth and texture to your playing. By mastering double-stop bends, you'll be able to infuse your solos with a distinctive, harmonically complex sound.

Unison Bends

Unison bends involve bending one string to match the pitch of another string that is fretted. This technique creates a powerful, tension-filled sound. Unison bends are a staple of Van Halen's solos, and learning them will enhance your ability to create impactful, dramatic moments in your playing.

Pinched Harmonics

Pinched harmonics are produced by lightly pinching the string with the thumb or finger immediately after picking, creating a squealing, high-pitched sound. This technique adds an aggressive edge to your playing. Mastering pinched harmonics will give your solos a cutting, distinctive tone.

Trills

Trills are rapid alternations between two adjacent notes. This technique adds speed and excitement to your playing. By incorporating trills, you can create intense, fast-moving passages that capture the listener's attention.

Tremolo Picking

Tremolo picking involves picking a single note rapidly and repeatedly. This technique creates a sustained, shimmering effect that is a hallmark of many fast guitar solos. Learning tremolo picking will enhance your ability to maintain high-speed, sustained notes.

Performance by Nick Jennison

The performance segments by Nick Jennison demonstrate how these techniques are applied in a real musical context. Watching these performances helps viewers understand how to seamlessly integrate each technique into their playing, providing a practical application that reinforces the lessons. Seeing the techniques in action inspires confidence and offers a clear example of how to achieve a polished, professional sound.

Techniques Covered

By engaging with "Eddie Van Halen - Tech Session" by Nick Jennison, you will not only master these techniques but also gain a deeper appreciation of Eddie Van Halen's innovative guitar style. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced player, these lessons provide invaluable insights and practical skills that will elevate your playing to new heights.

Nick Jennison playing the guitar.

About The Tutor

Tutor Profile

Nick Jennison

I’m Nick Jennison, a guitarist, vocalist, producer and educator from the North East of England. It’s pretty cold up here, which seems like the perfect excuse to stay inside and make a bunch of great guitar-related videos for your viewing pleasure. I’ll be covering topics from technique, tone and musicality,...

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