"Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love by Van Halen" - Note for Note Guitar Lesson

Van Halen’s Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love stands as one of the most iconic songs in rock history, showcasing Eddie Van Halen’s ability to craft riffs that are both technically engaging and universally memorable. This comprehensive guitar lesson explores the key techniques in the song: palm muting, arpeggiated chord progressions, tremolo picking, and octaves. Each element plays a critical role in creating the signature sound of this track, and mastering them will elevate your guitar skills to new heights. This lesson is taught by Jamie Humphries.

Technique Breakdown

Palm Muting

Palm muting is foundational in Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love, creating the chugging rhythmic drive that underpins the track. By lightly resting your picking hand on the strings near the bridge, you can dampen the strings to produce a percussive, controlled tone. This technique not only keeps the riffs tight but also enhances dynamics by contrasting muted sections with ringing open notes.

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to perfect palm muting, focusing on precision and consistency. The benefits of mastering this technique extend beyond this song, as palm muting is a cornerstone of rock and metal rhythm guitar, enabling you to play with greater clarity and groove.

Arpeggiated Chord Progressions

The arpeggiated chord progressions in Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love lend a melodic quality to the track, showcasing Eddie’s knack for blending rhythm and lead playing. Arpeggios involve playing the individual notes of a chord in sequence, creating a fluid and harmonically rich sound.

This lesson breaks down the intricate picking patterns and finger positioning required for arpeggiated progressions. By practicing these passages, you’ll develop greater finger independence and picking accuracy, skills that are vital for playing more complex melodies and harmonies in the future.

Tremolo Picking

Tremolo picking is featured prominently in the song's solo and various melodic embellishments. This technique involves rapidly alternating your pick across a single string, producing a rapid-fire effect that adds intensity and flair to the music.

Our lesson focuses on building the speed and control necessary for clean tremolo picking. You’ll learn how to maintain consistent timing and tone while executing this technique, making it a valuable addition to your lead guitar toolkit. Tremolo picking not only enhances your ability to play fast passages but also adds texture to your solos.

Octaves

Octaves are another essential component of Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love, used to add depth and movement to the riffing. Octaves involve playing two notes that are twelve semitones apart, often with one string muted in between to create a clean, resonant sound.

This lesson teaches you how to properly position your fingers and execute octaves with clarity and precision. Mastering octaves enhances your ability to create dynamic and melodic lines, a technique often used in rock and funk genres to add richness to the rhythm guitar parts.

About Eddie Van Halen and His Influence

Eddie Van Halen revolutionized the guitar world with his innovative approach and virtuosic playing. In Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love, Eddie demonstrates how simplicity and complexity can coexist, creating a track that’s both accessible to listeners and a playground for guitarists. His use of techniques like tremolo picking, arpeggios, and palm muting inspired generations of guitarists to experiment with their sound and push their technical limits.

Learning this song provides not only insight into Eddie’s genius but also an opportunity to study the foundational elements of rock guitar. His influence extends far beyond Van Halen, shaping the sound of modern rock and metal.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Palm Muting
• Arpeggiated Chord Progressions
• Tremolo Picking
• Octaves

With this detailed lesson, you’ll gain the skills needed to faithfully recreate Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love while expanding your guitar-playing abilities. By mastering palm muting, arpeggiated chord progressions, tremolo picking, and octaves, you’ll not only pay homage to Eddie Van Halen’s genius but also enrich your own musical journey. Dive in and experience the joy of playing one of Van Halen’s most timeless tracks!