Quick Licks - In The Style of Van Halen
Course Content Overview
This course provides an arsenal of killer rock licks in the style of Eddie Van Halen, complete with a professional backing track for you to practice and perfect your new skills. You will gain an in-depth understanding of the following core techniques:
- Fast Pentatonic Licks
- Two-Hand Tapping
- Tremolo Picking
- Whammy Bar Use
Technique Breakdown
Fast Pentatonic Licks: The Foundation of Rock Fury
Eddie Van Halen redefined the use of the pentatonic scale in rock music. This section of the course focuses on developing the speed, precision, and melodic intuition to turn simple scales into powerful, memorable solos. You will learn how to construct rapid-fire licks that are not only technically dazzling but also full of the musicality that characterized Van Halen's most famous solos, making this an essential part of your journey to learn Van Halen guitar.
Two-Hand Tapping: The Signature Sound
No Eddie Van Halen guitar tutorial would be complete without a deep dive into his legendary two-hand tapping technique. This course breaks down the mechanics of this iconic style, teaching you how to use both hands on the fretboard to create fluid, complex, and lightning-fast melodic runs. This is more than just a guitar trick; it’s a transformative approach to the instrument, and our lessons make it accessible to players ready to expand their horizons.
Tremolo Picking: Building Intensity and Drive
Tremolo picking is a key ingredient for creating the high-energy sound that is synonymous with Van Halen. These lessons will guide you in developing a consistent and powerful tremolo picking technique, a crucial skill for adding a sense of urgency and excitement to your riffs and solos. Mastering this will allow you to replicate the driving rhythm and intensity found in classic tracks like "Hot for Teacher."
Whammy Bar Use: From Subtle Expression to Dive-Bombing Mayhem
Eddie Van Halen was a master of the whammy bar, using it to create a vast array of sounds, from subtle vibrato to his signature "dive bomb" effects. This part of the course explores the creative and expressive potential of the whammy bar, teaching you how to incorporate it into your playing to create dramatic, vocal-like phrases and unique sonic textures that will make your solos stand out.
This Course is Ideal for Players Who...
This course is ideal for intermediate to advanced guitar players who are fans of classic rock and want to incorporate the innovative and high-energy techniques of Eddie Van Halen into their own playing. If you are looking to improve your soloing, learn iconic rock guitar licks, and understand the musical thinking of a true guitar pioneer, this course is for you. By studying the Van Halen guitar style, you will learn not just the techniques, but how to apply them with the same sense of power, creativity, and flair that defined a generation of rock guitar.
What will I achieve from completing this course?
By mastering the techniques in this Licklibrary.com course, you will not only learn to play like a rock legend but also fundamentally improve your own skills as a guitarist. You will:
- Significantly enhance your soloing ability with fast, melodic pentatonic phrases.
- Master the art of two-hand tapping to create complex and impressive solos.
- Develop a powerful and consistent tremolo picking technique for added intensity.
- Learn to use the whammy bar as an expressive tool to create a unique sonic signature.
- Gain a deeper appreciation for the musical genius of Eddie Van Halen and his contribution to rock guitar.
WE CAN HELP...
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
Van Halen
nor does
Van Halen
perform or appear on this course.*
Quick Licks - In The Style of Van Halen: Mastering Iconic Guitar Techniques
"Quick Licks - In The Style of Van Halen" is an extensive guitar tutorial series taught by Jamie Humphries. tailored for guitarists eager to master the groundbreaking style of one of rock's most influential and innovative guitarists. This series zeroes in on Eddie Van Halen's signature techniques: fast pentatonic licks, two-hand tapping, tremolo picking, and whammy bar use. Each lesson is meticulously crafted, not only to teach these techniques but also to imbue the same electrifying energy and inventiveness that Van Halen brought to his music.
What You Will Learn in This Course
Killer rock licks in the style of Eddie Van Halen. This course also includes a backing track to play over. The techniques you will learn include:
- Fast Pentatonic Licks
- Two Hand Tapping
- Tremolo Picking
- Whammy Bar Use
Technique Breakdown
Fast Pentatonic Licks: The Speed and Melody Fusion
Eddie Van Halen revolutionised the use of pentatonic scales in rock guitar. These lessons focus on mastering fast pentatonic licks, a staple in Van Halen's repertoire. You'll learn how to combine speed with melodic phrasing, turning these scales into a powerhouse tool for crafting memorable solos. This technique is key to capturing the essence of Van Halen's solos, characterised by their rapid-fire yet tuneful nature.
Two-Hand Tapping: Redefining the Guitar's Potential
Van Halen's two-hand tapping technique is legendary, pushing the boundaries of what was thought possible on the guitar. This series breaks down his approach to tapping, teaching you how to use both hands on the fretboard to create fluid, lightning-fast runs that are both technically impressive and musically expressive. You'll explore the nuances of this technique, learning how to integrate it seamlessly into your playing.
Tremolo Picking: Creating a Rapid-Fire Sound
Tremolo picking, involving picking a note rapidly to create a continuous sound, is another technique frequently used by Van Halen. These lessons will guide you through developing a consistent and speedy tremolo picking technique, crucial for adding intensity and a sense of urgency to your playing. This skill is vital for replicating the high-energy style that is synonymous with Van Halen's music.
Whammy Bar Use: Adding Expressive Flair
The whammy bar was a tool that Van Halen used to great effect, using it to add vibrato, dive bombs, and other expressive sounds to his playing. This part of the series teaches you the various ways Van Halen used the whammy bar, showing you how to incorporate it into your playing to create dramatic and unique sound effects.
Practicing Over a Backing Track: Real-World Application
Each technique and lick is practiced over a backing track, providing crucial context for applying what you've learned. Playing with backing tracks helps you understand how these techniques fit within a song, enhancing your timing, rhythm, and improvisational skills. It's a vital step in learning how to apply these techniques in live playing and jamming scenarios.
Eddie Van Halen’s Guitar Style
Eddie Van Halen's guitar style is a blend of raw power, technical mastery, and musical innovation. Known for his work with Van Halen, his playing combined elements of rock, classical, and blues, all delivered with a distinctive flair and creativity. His influence on guitar music is profound, and learning his style provides valuable insights into playing guitar with both technical skill and expressive power.
The Benefits of Learning These Techniques
By mastering these techniques, you will:
- Enhance your ability to play fast, melodic pentatonic licks.
- Gain proficiency in two-hand tapping for more intricate solos.
- Develop a rapid and consistent tremolo picking technique.
- Learn to use the whammy bar for expressive, dynamic guitar playing.
Guitar Techniques Used in "Quick Licks - In The Style of Van Halen"
Through the "Quick Licks - In The Style of Van Halen" lesson series, you will gain proficiency in the following techniques:
Embrace the spirit of Eddie Van Halen with "Quick Licks - In The Style of Van Halen" and let these lessons transform your approach to the guitar, paving the way for you to become a more versatile and expressive guitarist.
* THIS PRODUCT IS NOT ENDORSED BY OR MADE IN ASSOCIATION WITH VAN HALEN, NOR DOES EDDIE VAN HALEN PERFORM OR APPEAR ON THIS COURSE *
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...