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

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Tapped Harmonics
• Double-Stop Bends
• Unison Bends
• Pinched Harmonics
• Trills
• Tremolo Picking

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.