Eruption - Van Halen - Violin Cover By Nina D

My journey to learn Eruption began a few years ago, when I only had access to a 5-string fretless violin. I learned a small bit of it, and quickly realized that I would need to compromise the octave range, and the finger tapping in order to perform it. There are a few covers out there of violinists doing just that, and they are very impressive.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I did not want to do that. I wanted to sound like Eddie. Thus began my journey with the 7-string fretted violin. Pretty much the entire reason for having this instrument custom-made (thanks Wood Violins crew!) was to see if I could play Eruption. At the time of purchase, I wasn’t even sure if it would be physically possible to do the finger tapping, even with the new instrument.
Upon its arrival, my first task was to learn how to play the darn thing- it’s like a completely different instrument, the neck is huge, I am tiny, and the low strings are super thick. (I also had to buy a special bow to properly play it). If your bow arm falters by a millimeter, you will hit the surrounding strings. Once I had this part somewhat down, I knew I had to dive into the hardest part right away- to answer the question, “but will it tap?” I began with transcribing this beast of a solo into notation. If you play guitar, and you want to learn how to play pretty much anything, you can go to KZbin and find slow note for note tutorials on EXACTLY how to do so. This doesn’t exist for trying to translate guitar things to a violin. You’re on your own.
I tried it out with my normal rig. Pretty much dead sound. Nothing happening but noise. I had a few ideas for specialty pedals. Since you can’t really go to the store and try pedals any more, I bought one, it didn’t work, shipped it back, bought a different one, didn’t work, shipped it back, etc. ad nauseam. Months went by. It seemed for every step forward I took in achieving this technique, I took two steps back with new problems. For months, my poor family listened to what sounded like a train wreck falling on top of a car wreck falling off the Empire State Building. Brody even said to me, “it ain’t gonna happen.” So I locked myself away until it did. Sometimes during this process, it really felt like me against the world. It was that bad for that long.
I struggled and fought the limitations of the instrument. I had some really hard practice days, but the best motivation for me is “it can’t be done.” It took a combination of newly learned left and right hand technique, played precisely, practiced slowly for clarity, FOREVER to even make the right sound. The spaces that you need to hit, quickly, on a fretted violin are much smaller than that of a guitar. I tweaked the effect chain and technique right up until the 11th hour on the very final day of doing this. One day near the end of it, I was practicing in the studio and Brody was taking a shower. When he got out, he said to me he thought I was playing the recording of Van Halen. That was my breakthrough day. I knew I was close.
I haven’t worked this hard since my masters recital on classical violin. I’ve ripped up my fingers to shreds, they bled, they blistered.
Eddie Van Halen was in a class all of his own. His sound, technique, rhythm, and musicality changed the game for all guitarists (and this electric violinist) that followed. I am a far better performer, a far better violinist, with a much larger range of abilities, thanks to the months (or years) I put into dissecting his style and taking the time to do this on a violin as close to how he did it (so effortlessly) on a guitar as possible. Thank you, EVH, for making so many of us better musicians. ❤️🤍🖤
Some thanks to my amazing team:
Audio Mixing/programming, Drone footage and video editing, Fog jets and laser programming: Brody Dolyniuk
Filming: Patrick Rivera Photography
Lighting: Robert Brassard
Custom Made Eddie Van Halen Outfit: 3x Emmy-nominated costume designer Diana Eden
Hair and Makeup: the MOBB Group
Graphics/Animation: Derryl Rice
*Special thanks to the entire Smith Center crew for allowing me to film this video at Reynolds Hall, the classiest venue in Las Vegas.
*During my process of learning to tap, I searched, but only came across one other single violinist, in which I saw a clip of him doing a tapping segment during a solo on a Mark Wood Viper page- and I have to recognize him for that, because it was not an easy technique to figure out. He plays metal violin, check out his page called Bowbreakerz.
*Thanks to John Wedemeyer for knowing the ins and outs of every single piece of analog gear in existence.
*Thank you to my entire family (including those who visited from out of town during this process) for listening to this 9 million times.
*Thanks to my husband Brody for not giving up on ME, even when he gave up on the idea of tapping on the violin- and continuing to help me see this project through to the end, with all the audio and visuals.

[@NinaDiGregorio]

Hey everyone! There seems to be a lot to confusion about the instrument I am playing. For those curious: I own many violins, ranging from a regular 4-string acoustic Klotz violin c. 1752 which I used heavily throughout my masters degree in classical violin, to the 7-String Wood Violins fretted Viper (created by Mark Wood) that can be seen in the Eruption video, and everything in between! I perform on many different violins both live on tour, and in my videos. I choose the instrument that best serves my needs for the repertoire (the same way a guitar player would have a rack of guitars for a show). Back to the 7-string violin; the top 4 strings are exactly like a regular violin. They are violin strings, tuned in 5ths, same fingering, same spacing (the Flying V shape doesn’t affect that). You can play all of your favorite Mozart, Paganini, Bruch or Mendelssohn on it exactly as you would an acoustic 4-string. There are 3 lower added strings for range (BbFC) also tuned in 5ths following a natural violin hand position. I use these strings so I can play guitar solos in the same range as a guitar (the top E string of a violin sounds an octave higher than the top E string of a guitar). The frets are not like guitar frets. They are smaller and curved, and you are supposed to play on top of them instead of in between them. Though they can come in handy in a live setting where you are playing rock or metal with a drummer, if your in-ears happen to go out and you really need to still play in tune, I find it harder to play with the frets and I use them for achieving certain guitar techniques like pinch harmonics, tapping, or power chords. I don’t use these violins for everything, and I much prefer a fretless to cover something like Pink Floyd. The removal of the chin rest in lieu of a chest support system on the Viper serves to free up your head while performing. I sing and play at the same time in my show, and I also use a talk box. It helps to have full range of your head. Adding extra strings or frets to an instrument does not change the mechanical makeup of said instrument, nor does it change the fundamental technique needed to play the instrument. A guitarist could not pick up this violin and play it. A violinist could. Bow technique alone is something that takes years to master. You can’t compare it to Jimmy Page playing his guitar with a bow, because that’s much different. Jimmy Page is not using the bow with proper violin technique to perform difficult technical repertoire, he used it to create a new sonic aesthetic to his instrument, the same way John Cage utilized a prepared piano to create a new sonic landscape for traditional piano. But in no way was the guitar no longer a guitar, or the piano no longer a piano because they used a unique method to draw sounds. There is a difference between round wound strings and flat wound strings. Bowing a guitar will not produce the clarity of bowing a violin. To bow a guitar, you can get some sounds on the top or bottom strings, or all the strings because the bridge is mostly flat. You won’t be performing Paganini on a guitar with a bow. To bow a violin, first you have a curved bridge, and you must learn a very specialized bow grip, numerous bowing techniques, and practice for years to perform difficult repertoire like Paganini. In other words, it’s not just used as a sound effect, it’s necessary to the fundamentals of the instrument. Hopefully this clears up some confusion, ☮ out!

[@weets69]

Nina, thx for the clarification. This makes more sense to me now. I retract my first comment 🤘 Ps. Never questioned your talent by the way. I believe EVH would be approve of your rendition 😎

[@kevinagnew6878]

Wow I am so very glad I had a chance to read this and you Rock it

[@LIGHTintheHALLS]

You not only play it powerfully and brilliantly but the textures of sound you coaxed from that unique violin are spot on.

[@zeekmclaughlin7238]

Incredible tribute, Nina.. you more than captured the essence of Eruption and definitely got my attention!

[@kremata]

That was fantastic and made me shed a tear of emotion. I come from the rock classic era but always had a soft spot for violin. You perfectly combine them.

[@artvandelay4545]

Who else heard the beginning of "You Really Got Me" in their head after she was done?

[@billhahne2879]

It's almost a sin she didn't continue into YRGM, but I get it - Eruption stands on its own as a tribute to both rock guitar and EVH.

[@TheAlfaNut]

Haha yeah me! 😅

[@TheAlfaNut]

Haha yeah me! 😅

[@marcmiller789]

Eddie once said in an interview that the "eruption" solo was mostly made up of bits and pieces of his favorite VH songs.

[@joemarchinski914]

Yess🤘

[@2216sammy]

What people forget about is that eruption wasn't even supposed to be on the album , it was just Edwards routine warm up jam before shows and Ted Templeman just happened to be walking by a room Edward was warming up in and thought it was amazing and insisted it be on the album . Eddie said he screwed up the beginning and got turned around but he was always one to never bother fixing his mistakes . I wish I was able to make mistakes like that .

[@Mad-Bassist]

Interesting! All I knew was Eddie turned his back to the audience when performing that so everyone wouldn't imitate him. I think that changed around 1984. 🤘

[@evanthegreat2332]

Who gives a flying fuck...

[@BillMentzer]

I always wondered about the song riff being turned around! One of my favorite parts about the piece....

[@BillMentzer]

This is one of the best interps I've encountered. Tsak was a diety in the DMV. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f168d4umjcSNpJYsi=6kSSeJnGPAx3HB8D

[@jellycream1964]

What does turned around in guitar speak mean?

[@markblake2112]

In 1978 I stood right in front of Eddie when he played Eruption. Will never forget it till the day I'm gone.

[@NinaDiGregorio]

🤘

[@intehelt8606]

Finally an electric violin used as an electric violin

[@malcolmironmonger]

ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@daviddeane3163]

That's completely bad ass! It's a shame Eddie won't get to see you perform this....RIP Eddie

[@Gregrsmt]

Heck yeah.!! 59 years old, Van Halen 1 all time favorite album. Got goosebumps listening to her play this. Very cool...

[@jamesmurphy1678]

Phenomenal. Eddie would be impressed.

[@stevog5826]

Okay, guys.... do the same thing as she did, but on a guitar using a bow and post it... let's see how close you come to that sound..... Man... Sooo many haters out there. Great job, young lady ! 👏 👍 🙌 💪 👌

[@alanhicks3361]

100%

[@WKelleyLucas_KustomScatterguns]

I saw the thumbnail and thought "This is going to suck"... I was very, very wrong.

[@cygnus6623]

I thought the opposite...she's gonna kill it...and she did!

[@alanhicks3361]

Love the honesty

[@mikedold9900]

Jawdropping!

[@StephaneyAllinson]

I've got chills LISTENING to the finger tapping.

[@eandatoo]

This is the closest to the actual studio version I’ve ever heard!!!!! She f_ckin NAILED It!!! Holy Sh!t!!!!

[@fredwerza3478]

Jesus Effin' Christ --- this woman blew me away! 🔥🎻🌋

[@Plowguitarist]

WOW!! Incredibly done.. and it really didn’t hurt the way she filled out that awesome outfit either.. that was a bonus ..🥰🥰

[@RubenYbarra-y2v]

Eddie Van Halen would've been very proud! Absolutely amazing! 😮

[@hakaiderjuju9384]

DAMN!!!🫢😮 THAT WAS FKN INSANE!!🫢🥰👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@DrLuke49]

Somewhere up above us Eddie is smiling while banging his head and playing Frankenstein in time with her 🎸 🎻

[@rstoltz]

This is the new definitive cover of Eruption in my opinion. Great job, Nina D!

[@jacquesraymond6892]

Eddie VanHalen would have been flabbergasted... BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@BuckeyeNationRailroader]

Eddie is up in Heaven smiling at what you did. He would be thrilled to hear this.

[@phatdusa]

Beautiful tribute to a master guitarist!!!! Eddie would of enjoyed that violin version , Rock on Nina

[@pdloder]

OHH MY GOD!! I just fell in love at first listen!!! This is the best version since the original! 🤩🤩😍😍😍

[@noelmichael3980]

The road less traveled … Eddie goes from pianist to drummer to guitarist and now his monumental solo is replicated, beautifully played on violin by this virtuoso … let that TRIUMPHANT journey sink in.

[@Aaron-fl2iv]

Is it really a violin though? It has 6 strings, frets, and pickups.

[@NinaDiGregorio]

@@Aaron-fl2iv Just go to electricviolinshop.com and peruse their inventory. It’s a whole new world out there for strings (for quite a few decades now).

[@perkins1439]

Mind-blowing the tone was even spot on

[@christophermunoz9276]

Incredible! Can't say I've ever seen a violin with frets 😮Bravo Nina!

[@JamesJones-w7d]

More like a guitar with a bow.

[@georgemaccrone6147]

That was amazing! Never in a million years did I think I would hear 'Eruption' played on violin and be so entertained watching, it was mesmerizing! Thank you!

[@JoeSykes1776]

HOLY ERUPTION BATGIRL!!! I'M SENDING THIS TO MY FRIENDS. MMMYEAH❤

[@charlespelt4815]

She literally brings tears to my eyes - for all the right reasons - every time I listen to this. Bravo!!!

[@humbuckersoup7571]

AMAZING! - You deserve nothing but a standing ovation for this. Technique, interpretation & performance. Just outstanding!

[@NinaDiGregorio]

Thank you!

[@billhahne2879]

Mastery. Sheer cosmic joy. To those who'd chide her for using effects/pedals, two things: Eddie used effects and pedals, too. Modern rock guitar wouldn't exist without these tools. The way she sustains notes with the bow is something a guitar cant do well (if at all) without effects. Yet she had to recreate a sound that was produced on a guitar. In this way, she's getting the job done with even less effects than the original while also performing a genius transition of mimicry across instruments. Next level achievement here.

[@PinballPreparedness]

If I wasn't watching a video, I would have sworn it was EVH. You NAILED it!

[@ssdtrain1]

That was incredible!!! NEVER have I seen that before..

[@rubenfortes378]

Gotta say I was not expecting the tapping! Kudos!👍🏽

[@bobadams179]

Eddie would be proud!

[@sonicmayhym]

can we just take a moment hear to reflect on what we just witnessed..it is one thing to play this solo on the guitar but to play that on a violin type instrument, with frets even..mind blown and that pedal board and how absolutely radiant this woman is and did you see the rock on that girls finger....dam!!!!

[@RocketQueen71]

❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 ROCKTASTIC! What an amazing tribute to Eddie ! Eddie is looking down and smiling wide ! ROCKTASTIC! ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥🤘😎

[@mikaldene7146]

I saw Eddie do this from second row. He would be smiling and no doubt jamming right along...our generation rocked

[@davidkirby-jx9xp]

From what little I remember,, And THEN Some!

[@rktraeger]

This was actually one of the most correct and best interpretations of eruption I have heard. To the note! On Violin!!! Wow, this is a very skilled musician! Hats off!!!!!😯

[@NinaDiGregorio]

Thank you!

[@ShaelynneDFuller]

Got chills from this, thank you for your effort in learning this and letting us witness your amazing talent. 🥰

[@tomgaffney740]

I also like the tip of the hat to Eddie on her outfit. Very nice touch! 👍

[@ericfaley9019]

Wow I’m blown away!

[@jesterm.1202]

Holy shit ! That was insane .

[@hakaiderjuju9384]

That FKN INSANE!!🫢🥰👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@johnradebaugh-ss3xy]

Je**s Ch**st !!! That never gets old ! I hit replay twice before leaving this comment. Nice job ! Thank you !

[@NinaDiGregorio]

Thank you!

[@michaelmattson4708]

That was incredible!

[@ik2476]

My favorite part is the fact that her outfit is paying homage to Eddie. Very cool.

[@00penguin]

I thought it was paying homage to David Lee Roth's zebra red overalls

[@kevinborecki6680]

Wow, awesome keep it erupting!

[@NinaDiGregorio]

@@00penguin Homage to a bit of both!

[@2216sammy]

OMG, I LOVE HER . Her version sounds more accurate than any other version I've ever heard . Absolutely BRILLIANT . I especially liked what she said about Edward , so dead on . "Eddie Van Halen was in a class all of his own. His sound, technique, rhythm, and musicality changed the game for all guitarists (and this electric violinist) that followed. I am a far better performer, a far better violinist, with a much larger range of abilities, thanks to the months (or years) I put into dissecting his style and taking the time to do this on a violin as close to how he did it (so effortlessly) on a guitar as possible. Thank you, EVH, for making so many of us better musicians" ❤🤍🖤

[@jameswbster]

Nothing to say other than that was amazing!!

[@drt28]

Fantastic, well played! That took her quite a few hours of relentless practice to perfect that piece! Indeed great talent and a nice outfit too!!! Bravo!

[@jaylauretano5562]

Am I wrong for saying that was actually pretty awesome 👍🏾

[@davidenders9282]

awesome. it's great to see musicians to continue the legacy of a pioneer of music. I was lucky & able to see him play that live for the first time in 1980 6 rows directly in front of him. EVH R.I.P.

[@DystopiaFatigue]

Girl! You really got me goin'!

[@tomhughes4980]

Wish he was here to see this

[@CreativeWarrior-]

BRAVO! Right on!

[@johngreen6578]

Freaking AWESOME!!!!

[@dalemills246]

Mind blowing I was in awe of how great it sounded

[@KevinSmith-tq3gm]

Good fuckin' grief. One of the best covers I've seen

[@michaelj3959]

That was friggin' bad ass! And a violin with frets? That's unusual. It's like a little guitar.

[@tomgaffney740]

I can still remember hearing this album on cassette in my buddies car when it was released. It was so unlike anything else at the time n I was hooked. Abosolute classic.

[@douglaspiper7907]

That's really interesting. That's the first time I've ever seen a fretted violin.

[@markwheeler8147]

She had it custom made specifically for this piece. The way I understood it the finger tapping part wasn't really doable on a traditional violin, at least not in a way that accurately represents the original like she wanted. She goes more in depth about it in what I read but I don't remember it all.

[@maxinedavieds6104]

Eruption is my favorite of all time. Beautifully done!

[@TheNudeBrewer]

1> That was AMAZING!!!! 2> If you haven't read all she wrote in the description-- read it. Her tribute to EVH is better than what the Grammys did. But, admittedly, that's not saying much.

[@jerryabrowne]

I took your to and read the bio. Great story. 🎶

[@Tom-ok2rh]

That was the coolest thing I’ve seen in a long time..very nice

[@joegallegos8076]

Frekin nailed it. DAMN!

[@still-DJ]

Fantastic!! I didn't want it to end Nina.

[@michaelanderson5747]

Holy C***! ❤💥🤘🤘🤘

[@christopherpaul1810]

Ok that was beyond incredible. I've never seen a 7 string violin especially with frets, that thing's like 1/2 violin 1/2 guitar,,,,, quite frankly I'm completely blown away.

[@jaynewton5278]

OH MY WOW.

[@robarnold6998]

Very cool! Great job, young lady! The King would be proud.

[@robertesposito9871]

If I didn’t see it, there’s no way you could convince me it wasn’t Eddie playing !!!

[@rorybisson756]

when you make an outfit out of Eddie Van Halen's guitar paint, lol love it.

[@ericbarriosofficial]

That was such a smash video!!! 11/10!!! Wow!!!

[@NinaDiGregorio]

Thanks!

[@m1a1hm]

Man that ROCKS!!!!!!

[@davidrichter9164]

When your parents want you to take violin lessons, but you want to rock. Outstanding!!

[@wolverine3344]

Frigging amazing, how many of the haters in comments have tried and failed miserably to get the tapping timing exactly right ? I’m one of them but my gosh man, give some frigging credit dudes, this doesn’t come easy to those of us that actually play. Round of drinks on me. Cheers 🥂

[@DavidBrown-zs1ic]

Oh that is just incredibly good and if you if you close your eyes you wouldn't even know she was on a violin

[@CJ-nt4cs]

That album came out when I was in high school. Eddie blew me away. So did this beautiful lady!

[@PaulArnold-z1o]

WOW !!!

[@joeblow42064]

Caught EVH doing this song at least a dozen times. I Think He Would Be Impressed.

[@BobbyGraham85]

Friggin AWESOME!!!!!!!!

[@billkennedy9759]

Awesome! Eddie would have approved....

[@NateB1976]

Who else keeps waiting for the next song to start? “Girl, you really got me now.....”

[@shmerelize]

That finger-tapping!!!!

[@tuftoro7111]

This chick is awesome!!! Eddie would be so proud.

[@solarismoon3046]

WOW!! By far the very best version of a remake that I've ever heard and it was by a girl on a VIOLIN!! ROCKING!! I love the suit with all the red and black with white stripes. This is truly one of the best tributes ever.

[@tyryztoll]

To pull off the riffs is one thing, but to capture the unmistakable sonic tone and power of the original recording is another altogether. I'll toss in another "wow" and let the rest weigh in....

[@NinaDiGregorio]

thanks!

[@michaelbeaulieu6076]

👍👍

[@billseggie4578]

I am totally blown away and amazed by your talent! Keep bringin the solos!

[@normanvogel759]

Wow that's impressive

[@lemmy9809]

Thats the best ever cover i have ever heard..omg ❤️ 💕 💓 wow awesome ❤❤❤❤

[@jasonray9568]

Simply…WOW!

[@lanapope4517]

Chick,.....that was as bad ass as it gets!!! As good as the original for sure.

[@NoRestTilVictoryProductions]

You did that so effortlessly, you inspired me.

[@FernandoGarcia-lf6yh]

This is the coolest thing I saw this weekend. thanks.

[@mastorey1]

Brilliant!

[@michaelpoulin3445]

Holy crap. WOW....mad Skills😮

[@V.BRATTA]

Tiap melihat ada orang hebat sedang bermusik entah kenapa saya selalu merinding dan seperti menangis, semoga orang² hebat seperti ini selalu sehat dan panjang umur

[@ralphwide3636]

Nice. Ed would love it

[@TheKnucklehed]

I'm an old musician and this gets a standing ovation from me!! Nicely done!

[@infernalmachine8417]

You really got me