Learn How to Play 5 Van Halen Songs on Guitar

Van Halen – a name that resounds with eons of rock and roll history. If you're setting out to learn how to play Van Halen songs on guitar, you're not just learning songs; you're stepping into a legacy. With our extended guide and free video guitar lessons, we'll not only teach you the techniques but also immerse you in the story behind each song. Let's set the stage!

Eddie Van Halen was more than just a guitarist; he was an innovator, a trendsetter, and a legend. The songs chosen for this guide offer a glimpse into the band's journey, shedding light on their evolution in both sound and storytelling.

Hey, this is Chris Buono, and I'm going to show you how to play "Ain't Talkin' About Love" by Van Halen from their debut album. This tune is deceptively simple, ranking alongside iconic riffs like "Crazy Train," "Iron Man," and "Smoke on the Water." It's the kind of riff that sticks in your head because it's just so awesome.

We'll be diving into all the main parts that Eddie played, as well as a secondary part buried within the solos, where he produces a sitar sound using a copy of a sitar that Dan Electro crafted. We'll delve deeper into this as we progress. Additionally, there's a beginner-friendly version of this tune, making it highly accessible even if you're just starting out.

It's crucial to note that I'm tuned down a half step. So, you'll need to adjust your E, A, D, G, B, and E strings down to E flat, A flat, D flat, G flat, B flat, and E flat. You can achieve this tuning using a tuner, by ear, or however you're accustomed. Sound-wise, I'll be replicating Eddie's signature tone: a Marshall amplifier cranked to the max, producing a massive gain. I'll also incorporate his three staple effects: an analog phaser, an analog flanger, and a tape delay. And of course, you'll hear a liberal dose of reverb, reminiscent of what was used in the original mix.

With the right sound settings and riffs at our disposal, we're all set. We'll kick things off by exploring an arrangement encompassing all the parts. After that, we'll dissect each section in detail. Ready? Let's dive in!

Next, I'll teach you how to play "Feel Your Love Tonight" from Van Halen's debut album. Released on February 10th, 1978, this record truly set the tone. They've produced fantastic albums since, but there's something iconic about that first one. We still jam to it today. Its sales even outpaced some of their later albums, mainly because it was such a game-changer upon release.

A big part of its appeal? Tracks like "Feel Your Love Tonight." This song showcases Eddie at his best, with captivating riffs and an electrifying solo, not to mention the intriguing shifts throughout. We'll dive into all of it, ensuring there's a version even beginners can jam to. Sound-wise, I'm going for that classic Eddie vibe: cranked up, lots of gain, mirroring his '70s Super Lead style.

I'll be tuning down a half step, so make sure you adjust your guitar to E flat, A flat, D flat, G flat, B flat, and E flat. For that authentic solo tone, beyond the gain and a hearty dose of reverb, you'll want a phaser effect. An MXR phaser, especially a script logo or its reissue, would be perfect.

Armed with this knowledge, we're about to tackle one of the more challenging tracks from that album. But trust me, with a bit of guidance, you'll nail it. We'll start by listening to the complete arrangement, followed by a detailed breakdown of each section.

Ready to rock? Let's dive in!

Next, I'm going to show you how to play "Finish What You Started" from Van Halen's eighth studio album, OU812. It's a Van Hagar tune, and it really stands out. The song has a clean tone, really spanky clean. Think Fender Strat in the number two position. Eddie played it straight into a console, but you can play it into whatever you like.

He played it using all fingers, no pick. There's also an acoustic part that Sammy handles. This is one of the rare times Sammy recorded with an acoustic for Van Halen. Combine these elements, and you get some fantastic interplay, especially when you add in Michael Anthony on bass and Alex Van Halen on drums.

A couple of fun facts about this song. First, Sammy and Eddie were neighbors. One night, Eddie came knocking on Sammy's window with a new idea. By morning, they had the song down. The riff was set, Sammy had the lyrics, and they went on to record the track. Despite being added late in the album's creation, it became one of their biggest hits. The second fun fact: this song was used as the intro and outro for a short-lived sitcom that Valerie Bertinelli starred in called "Sydney." The show might have faded, but the song didn't. If you look it up, you'll find a unique version of the song used for the show.

Next, we're going to explore all the parts: the electric, the acoustic, even a version for beginners, and then we'll break each one down. Ready? Let's get started!

Next, I'm going to show you how to play "Running with the Devil" from Van Halen's debut album—the one that started it all. "Running with the Devil" kicks off with that iconic car horn sound, transitioning into the dominant riff. We'll be tackling that riff, the verse riff, the solos, and everything else packed in there.

To get started, you'll need to do what I did: tune your guitar down a half step. That's how they had it on the debut record and throughout all the Roth-era tracks, to match his vocal range. For the tone, Eddie famously used a super lead setup. Without diving too deep: expect a lot of gain and a touch of delay. I've set my tape delay to 300 milliseconds. You'll also want a humbucker on your guitar—it doesn't have to look like mine.

Interestingly, while this guitar style is iconic for Van Halen, Eddie didn't use this specific design to record "Running with the Devil." Instead, he used an Ibanez Destroyer. Fun fact: that distinct "clink" sound at the start? Eddie produced it by playing between the bridge and the tailpiece of a non-tremolo guitar. I did it differently, but hey, we work with what we have. I've prepared both the exact version and a beginner-friendly one. Remember, both are tuned a half step down.

We'll start by exploring all the parts in the song, and from there, I'll break everything down for you. Ready? Let's dive in. "Running with the Devil"—let's have a blast.

Finally, I'll guide you through how to play "Dance the Night Away" from "Van Halen 2," the band's second album. Interestingly, this track marked Van Halen's debut on the pop charts, and rightly so. Its catchy, pop-infused vibe was initially a concern for Eddie, making him hesitant to present it to the band. However, when he did, David Lee Roth was instantly captivated and promptly penned the lyrics that truly defined the song. Roth initially toyed with different lyrical themes, even contemplating naming it "Lolita Dancing." Fortunately, the band persuaded him to stick with "Dance the Night Away." Musically, the tune revolves around the key of E, mainly employing the I, IV, and V chords (E, A, and B).

It consists of two primary sequences, along with a bridge and an interlude featuring tapped harmonics. A secondary part also exploits these harmonics. We'll delve deep into all these elements, and beginners, fear not; there's a section tailored just for you to play along. The song inherently carries a fair amount of distortion, typical of many Van Halen tracks.

While you could opt for a clean tone, I'd recommend a slightly overdriven sound to stay true to the original. Our plan is to initially familiarize ourselves with a complete arrangement, post which we'll dissect each segment meticulously.

Before we dive in, a vital note on tuning: I'm tuned down a half step, emulating Eddie's preference during the Roth era to suit David's vocal range. This means adjusting E, A, D, G, B, E down to E flat, A flat, D flat, and so forth. Grab your tuner and ensure you're pitch-perfect.

For effects, I'll be leveraging two quintessential Van Halen staples. First, there's the phaser; Eddie favored the MXR script logo. Any similar phaser will suffice, but remember to dial the rate all the way down. Additionally, I'll incorporate a touch of delay, mirroring Eddie's penchant for tape delay back in the day. Aim for an analog delay setting around 300 milliseconds, and you're on point.

Couple these effects with a generous helping of reverb and a good dose of gain, and you'll nail that signature sound. With these elements in place, I'll then walk you through the intricacies of playing "Dance the Night Away," helping you channel your inner Eddie Van Halen.