Classic Albums – Van Halen

“Van Halen” by Van Halen: An In-depth Analysis for Guitarists
Released on February 10, 1978, Van Halen exploded on to the music scene with their self titled debut that would not only shake up rock and roll, but the world of guitar forever. Selling more than ten million copies worldwide, Van Halen contains many of the bands signature tracks, including “Runnin’ with the Devil”, “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love” and Eddie Van Halen’s solo guitar masterpiece, “Eruption.”
LickLibrary veteran and Van Halen fanatic Jamie Humphries teaches you to play all the classic tracks from this album.

Songs in this Guitar Course
Guitar Lesson 1: “Runnin’ with the Devil”
This song is built around a straightforward but powerful riff. The solo includes slides, vibrato, and string bending. The solo is mostly pentatonic, with Eddie adding his unique flair.

Guitar Lesson 2: “Eruption”
This is perhaps Eddie’s most famous piece, filled with two-handed tapping, dive-bombs, and harmonics. The piece showcases his ability to blend classical techniques with a rock edge, employing the E-minor scale.

Guitar Lesson 3: “You Really Got Me”
The Kinks cover is given a unique twist by Van Halen, using powerful power chords and adding a bluesy solo with some double-stops and string bending.

Guitar Lesson 4: “Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love”
Eddie’s use of palm muting and harmonic minor scale creates an iconic riff. His solo, featuring tapped harmonics and tremolo picking, is both musical and highly technical.

Guitar Lesson 5: “I’m the One”
With a blend of rock and jazz chord progressions, Eddie’s performance features alternate picking, hammer-ons, and an impressive use of unison bends in the solo.

Guitar Lesson 6: “Jamie’s Cryin”
An excellent demonstration of syncopated rhythms, this song also features vibrato and slides in the solo, with Eddie improvising within the E major pentatonic scale.

Guitar Lesson 7: “Atomic Punk”
This song displays Eddie’s expertise in power chords, palm muting, and dive bombs. The solo includes the use of whammy bar tricks and legato.

Guitar Lesson 8: “Feel Your Love Tonight”
Combining bluesy bends with precise alternate picking, Eddie’s playing is both rhythmic and melodic. The solo revolves around the E major scale.

Guitar Lesson 9: “Little Dreamer”
This song employs chord progressions, arpeggios, and slides. The solo is a mix of bluesy bends and pentatonic licks, showing Eddie’s versatility.

Guitar Lesson 10: “Ice Cream Man”
Beginning with finger-picking in the intro, the song then transitions into a hard rock style with power chords. The solo displays pinch harmonics and chromaticism.

Guitar Lesson 11: “On Fire”
Heavy with palm muting and octave melodies, this song showcases Eddie’s ability to make complex techniques seem effortless. The solo features sweeps and hammer-ons.

Eddie Van Halen and His Contributions
Eddie Van Halen’s playing on this album revolutionized guitar technique and introduced an original sound, particularly in the domains of tapping, harmonics, and use of the whammy bar. Eddie’s exceptional skills, originality, and influence make him one of the most eminent guitarists in rock history.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Album
• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking, Legato
• Tapped Harmonics
• Unison Bends
• Tremolo Picking
• Chord Progressions
• Dive-Bombs
• Harmonics
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Whammy Bar Tricks
• Bluesy Bends
• Octave Melodies
• Chromaticism
• Finger-Picking
• Slides
• Syncopated Rhythms
• Arpeggios
• Pinch Harmonics
• Hammer-Ons

“Van Halen” continues to be a fundamental album for aspiring rock guitarists, offering a comprehensive exploration of technical skills and creativity. It remains a timeless work, symbolizing the prowess and innovation of Eddie Van Halen, and will likely continue to inspire guitarists for generations to come.