Push Comes To Shove – Van Halen

Learn to Play Push Comes To Shove by Van Halen

Push Comes To Shove is one of the most distinctive tracks from Van Halen's Fair Warning album, revealing a very different side to Eddie Van Halen's playing. Rather than relying on high-speed pyrotechnics, this song blends blues, jazz, and rock influences into a laid-back groove filled with expressive phrasing, subtle dynamics, and tasteful lead work. It's a fantastic study in musical restraint while still showcasing the creativity and technical brilliance that made Eddie one of the greatest guitarists of all time.

In this note-for-note guitar lesson, Sam Bell breaks down every section of the song in detail, allowing you to understand not only the notes but also the feel, timing, and articulation that make the performance so memorable. You'll develop greater control over your phrasing while learning many of the techniques Eddie uses throughout the track, helping you become a more expressive and versatile guitarist.

Song Breakdown

The lesson begins with the song's relaxed rhythm guitar parts, examining the subtle groove that drives the verses. Although technically less demanding than many Van Halen classics, the rhythm work requires excellent timing and control to capture the laid-back swing that gives the song its character. Careful attention is given to muting, dynamics, and articulation to recreate the original performance accurately.

As the lesson progresses, you'll explore the melodic fills that appear throughout the verses. These short lead phrases demonstrate Eddie's ability to blend blues vocabulary with chromatic passing notes and fluid legato phrasing. Rather than overwhelming the listener with speed, every lick serves the song, making this an excellent lesson in tasteful solo construction.

The standout guitar solo receives a complete note-for-note breakdown, highlighting Eddie's expressive bends, flowing legato passages, melodic phrasing, and inventive use of the tremolo arm. The solo demonstrates how technical ability can support musical expression, offering valuable ideas that can easily be applied to your own improvisation.

Throughout the lesson you'll also gain insight into Eddie's choice of scales, phrasing ideas, and rhythmic placement, helping you understand why this performance remains one of his most unique recordings.

Legato

Legato plays a major role throughout Push Comes To Shove, allowing Eddie to create smooth, flowing lines without excessive picking. You'll learn how hammer-ons and pull-offs combine to produce seamless melodic phrases that sound effortless. Developing strong legato technique improves finger strength, increases speed, and helps create a more vocal style of guitar playing that's perfect for blues and rock lead work.

String Bending

Expressive string bending is central to the emotional character of this song. The lesson demonstrates how Eddie carefully controls pitch, vibrato, and release to make every bend sound musical. Mastering accurate bends improves your phrasing, ear training, and expressive control, allowing your solos to sing with confidence and precision.

Bluesy Bends

Many of the lead phrases feature subtle blues-inspired bends that sit somewhere between the major and minor tonalities. These nuanced bends are a hallmark of Eddie's playing and contribute greatly to the song's relaxed feel. Learning this approach helps develop a deeper understanding of blues phrasing while adding more personality and emotion to your own solos.

Vibrato

Eddie's vibrato throughout the track is wide, confident, and incredibly expressive. Rather than applying vibrato to every note, he uses it selectively to emphasise sustained phrases. This lesson demonstrates how controlled vibrato enhances sustain and gives individual notes greater vocal quality, making your lead playing sound far more expressive.

Slides

Slides are used extensively to connect phrases smoothly while maintaining the relaxed feel of the song. You'll learn how Eddie uses slides both as transitions and as expressive devices within melodic lines. Developing accurate slide technique creates more fluid phrasing and helps avoid overly mechanical sounding solos.

Alternate Picking

Although much of the lead work relies on legato, alternate picking remains essential for maintaining articulation and rhythmic precision during certain melodic passages. The lesson explains where efficient picking should be used alongside legato to achieve the balance heard in the original recording. Improving alternate picking leads to cleaner execution and greater consistency at any tempo.

Pull-Offs

Pull-offs form an important part of many blues-inspired licks throughout the song. Learning to execute clean, even pull-offs ensures every note speaks clearly without losing volume or timing. Developing this technique also improves left-hand coordination and contributes to smoother legato playing.

Hammer-Ons

Hammer-ons allow many of Eddie's phrases to flow naturally while adding subtle dynamic variation. The lesson demonstrates how controlled hammer-ons contribute to the song's relaxed groove while reducing unnecessary picking movement. Strong hammer-on technique builds finger independence and creates more effortless melodic playing.

Whammy Bar Tricks

Although used tastefully, Eddie still incorporates subtle tremolo arm movements to add expression to sustained notes and selected phrases. Rather than dramatic dive bombs, these gentle whammy bar techniques enhance the vocal quality of the guitar. Learning this controlled approach improves your ability to add tasteful expression without overpowering the music.

Chromaticism

One of the defining characteristics of Eddie's solo is his use of chromatic passing notes to connect melodic ideas. These brief outside notes add tension before resolving naturally back into the key. Understanding chromaticism expands your improvisational vocabulary and helps you create more sophisticated and interesting lead lines.

Chord Progressions

The rhythm guitar demonstrates how interesting chord voicings and tasteful movement can create a rich musical backdrop without excessive complexity. The lesson explores the harmonic movement of the song and shows how the guitar complements both the vocal melody and rhythm section. Understanding the chord progression also provides valuable insight for improvisation and songwriting.

Eddie Van Halen's Influence

Eddie Van Halen remains one of the most influential guitarists in rock history, and Push Comes To Shove highlights an often-overlooked side of his musicianship. While many players associate Eddie with revolutionary tapping and high-energy rock riffs, this song demonstrates his appreciation for blues phrasing, melodic storytelling, and tasteful restraint. His ability to blend technical mastery with feel has inspired generations of guitarists across rock, blues, fusion, and metal. Studying this performance offers valuable lessons in musical maturity, showing that great guitar playing is often about expression rather than sheer speed.

Techniques Covered

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Chord Progressions
• Pull-Offs
• Hammer-Ons
• Slides
• String Bending
• Whammy Bar Tricks
• Bluesy Bends
• Chromaticism