How Eddie Van Halen REALLY Played 5150!

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Because YOU asked for it! How come none of the TABs or lessons on 5150 by Van Halen sound right??? It's because they're neglecting to mention this latching little finger trick that Eddie did to transition from chord to chord smooth as silk! It's a TINY detail, but it REALLY makes a HUGE difference once you put it into action! Uncle Ben Eller here is gonna show it to you, as well as a few other tricks you can do to get this riff sounding MORE BETTER!
Gear:
EVH Bumblebee
Carl Martin PlexiTone
Marshall 1987X
UA OX
What Van Hagar song should we break down next?! There's some AMAZING guitar work on those albums that NEEDS to be covered! Let me know!
#vanhalen #eddievanhalen #evh #5150

[@BenEller]

Did I mention you can get my Van Halen 5150 TAB for FREE? Snag it here: www.patreon.com/posts/99492790?

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

That is awesome Thanks for the tab to this! and i cannot help but wonder how you guys( You, Pete Thorn, Jacob Deraps, Dario Van halen, and some others can do the VH thing so well? I used to think if i could get Eddie's tone's i would sound like him but that did not work out at all!☹ Getting his tones was kind of easy compared to playing like him? Pete thorn talked about this and said after you get his tone then the real hard part comes and that is to play just like him and the way he phrases and attacks the strings and i agree with Pete about this! Playing like EVH is not easy because he had such a definitive style. you cant just finger tap that part at the end of "Eruption" and say you sound just like EVH. His Attack, pinch harmonic's and his lines were very unique.

[@natashanyxx9486]

I'd like to see a video breaking down 'Cabo Wabo'. Good stuff!

[@heartstringssound-Doug]

Love this riif and always have too! Thanks for the breakdown of this and the secret! I'd love to see you breakdown Eddie's solo on Black and Blue especially after he adds the delay echo on the 2nd half of the solo! One of my all time solos to listen to. Thanks Ben

[@Dr_Bounty_guitar]

Hi 🙋‍♂️ how about some Cory Wong / fearless flyers / vulfpeck stuff? ❤

[@gib59er56]

Ya did it again ! I leaned a new thang taday. Spelling correct oh yes! 5150 is the shnizzle

[@jackward5704]

Tone is immaculate

[@stephenwinchester6668]

Absolutely!!!

[@youropionmattersnot]

I really liked Eddie's updated tone on 5150.

[@k9er233]

Thick and Chewy. Dig it!

[@j.b.129]

100%

[@JJohnson616]

Honey, come quick! Uncle Ben uploaded a new slice of fried gold!

[@APK-pn4qh]

That 5150 intro is one of the greatest guitar intros of all time. It grooves, it swings, it is amazing. Great work Unca Ben. Mom says hi! 🤘😎🤘

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

That intro's Mood always reminded me of a real bright sun shining day where you are hanging with all of your friends and having a great time.

[@APK-pn4qh]

@@These_go_to_eleven_1959 perfect description.

[@adam872]

Yep, it's a banger.

[@jonmichaels362]

@@These_go_to_eleven_1959100%!

[@lesbois53]

Agreed, but the “subtle difference” demonstrated, (ok in the bedroom,) but when played in the context of a band onstage, (which really matters!) the audience do not give a shit about one note! IMHO. Great vid though Ben as always.

[@SamBrockmann]

Eddie was just a natural guitar genius. The longer I play, the more I see things like Uncle Ben's wisdom, the more I appreciate Eddie.

[@santosmadrigal3702]

I was never a David or Sammy guy . It's Eddie Van Halen on guitar ! That's all that matters to me .

[@bobravenscraft5376]

Yes sir

[@gokhanersan8561]

5150 intro is my favorite piece of music. Beautiful instruction. Especially for reminding us that Eddie played it slightly differently live, kept it fresh every night.

[@nira]

Yes that's a relief. I think we (I at least) tend to get frustrated trying to learn some parts note for note.

[@ffxiiangel]

I know it really requires a Steinberger TransTrem guitar, but a Summer Nights breakdown would be great.

[@AeonOfAwareness]

Yeah I second this! This song started my day every morning. I rewound LWAN every night and had it on Summer Nights for first thing in the morning 🤘🤘

[@mercible]

Yep, that’s the one I was thinking of!

[@pbosche]

Put a capo on at the third fret for the first part..

[@anthonyb5279]

@@pbosche Blasphemer!!! Yeah that works too.

[@Volgin.]

It doesnt actually **require** a TransTrem. There are plenty of "workarounds" to play it these days, like a whammy dt or a capo for example. That being if you wanna play it without doing much juggling

[@bilbocarter7732]

Poundcake is one of my favorites from the later Van Halen library. Thanks for all your hard work, love the lessons and attention to detail!

[@r.joseph8911]

Being a DLR-era VH purist, I was highly disappointed with “Why Can’t This Be Love” when it premiered. But then I bought the 5150 album on vinyl when it was released. I heard THIS song and knew VH was still amazing. Fast-forward many years, I met my future wife whose brother was a tremendous EVH fan and a rippin’ guitar player. I miss him. Fly with the angels, Steve! 🤘🏼🎸🪽🤘🏼”5150 forever”

[@paulcrandall2534]

They kinda had to put "Why Can't This Be Love" as their single for the pop charts and the masses. I think it's a good song, but it's just way over played like all the pop chart singles are. The rest of the record was the real meat and potatoes for the die-hard VH fans. I love the Steinberger on "Get Up" and "Summer Nights." It's so thick sounding and has a much darker tone than the other guitars Eddie used. There's a lot of great guitar on that record. My condolences to your loss. Sounds like he was a cool guy. Would have loved to hear him play.

[@bobbyruggs808]

Eddie was the GOAT. His riffs and rhythm playing are absolutely mind blowing. Great Job Uncle Ben.😊

[@jerk_store]

After 30 something years I now understand why I've never been able to play this intro smoothly. Bad tab books were a hallmark of the late 80's.

[@edwardbanda6018]

Real musicians, do not tab they know how to read notes.

[@jerk_store]

@@edwardbanda6018 Ok, Mozart. So upload a vid showing off your sight reading proficiency. I'm betting you're all talk.

[@anthonyb5279]

@@edwardbanda6018 Bullshit. I can do both. Standard notation just does not work for an instrument that can play the same note 40 different ways.

[@anthonyb5279]

I always found this to be so hard because of that transition. I thought it was me, I just could not get it smooth. I never read any bad tabs for this, all by ear at the time that was nothing out there. I was just how the hell does he do it????? Crapy VHS video didn't help see what he was doing. My conclusion was WOW he is just some kind of mutant I'm never going to get that smooth. I loved watching Ed play 5150 it seemed to be his favorite song. Never seen any one enjoy playing a song so much. Man I wanted that! When I did get it right maybe 1 out of 100 attempts Yep that felt like magic.

[@Lefty-Guitar-Enthusiast]

I found out later in my playing that all those tab books set my playing back for years. They rarely had chords in the right position which often made them much harder to play.

[@dorianfrank5024]

Mr.Uncle Ben ,You are the Van Halen of teachers ,Seriously!! Thank you, thank you kind sir😀🎸

[@SkeeterMcBeater]

Dude, that EVH lick is the most ham fisted & messy technique of his I've seen demonstrated. I love it. I'm going to practice that & see how I can incorporate it into my own songwriting. Also, that tone is killer. Chorus is so fun. Can't wait to hit up patreon.

[@sergioaguilar2908]

This intro is amazing, is like a celebration of guitar, thank you!

[@MarioPepe]

Summer nights 👍🏼💪🏻🔥🔥

[@blockboygames5956]

Seconded. Such great and unique playing in that song.

[@wmot206]

Your 'regular' vids are great; your VH stuff is off the charts - best of the web!

[@louisjamesreeves]

Ben you earned your spot as my Van Halen go to. You sound really good too. It's a warming sound to hear 5150 once again

[@bobtimusprime4005]

The live version of "5150" off the Live Without A Net concert video is possibly the greatest live version of any song ever. That solo break is a thing of pure bliss! This is one of the most difficult songs to master and King Edward plays it while running around, jumping, getting kicked in the butt, and performing calisthenics and aerobics.

[@RKDriver]

EVH's best live solo for me was in that live version of 5150. I rewatch it all the time and I've never seen him repeat it like that, at least not recorded.

[@bobtimusprime4005]

@@RKDriver There's a version that is on a live from Tokyo recording from the OU812 tour that is nearly the same... BUT... there is something missing. It just doesn't have the magic that was captured in Live Without a Net.

[@RKDriver]

@@bobtimusprime4005 I think I've seen that but it was the way he started it off with his cathedral volume swell stuff that I've only seen in LWOAN.

[@ColorsFadeGaming]

Good lord Ben, this is the best breakdown I've seen of the intro. This is my favorite VH song to play and I knew I was missing something. Great work. Thank you so much!

[@BenEller]

Wow, thanks!

[@CanuckQuest]

So appreciative of your detail!!

[@23dvs]

‘Get Up’ would be a cool one to learn - whammy bar craziness!

[@finmac5548]

You need a Steinberger Trans Trem to do that one properly…. I think there is a workaround on a standard guitar using barres, but it’s crazy difficult.

[@destinysvoid4712]

Thanks for putting out this video Ben! This is definitely a tricky one to play. One of my all time favorites too. 🤘

[@daynedingman]

Hello, stepdad here. I love this track so much...really cool you decoded it and shared it with your audience. I'm a big fan of Eddie's "brown sound" but I'm also blown away by the clarity of his playing on later recordings like Balance. I recall being mesmerized by "Don't Tell Me What Love Can Do" at the midnight release in my hometown and I had to hear more. I'd love to hear a breakdown of that tune for sure.

[@rocknrob91]

Good lord that tone is thickern a snickers. Amazing.

[@RyanMaziarz]

The other thing in this song that no one ever gets right is the prechorus “Still we try, win or lose” part - he plays it up anchoring on the low string at the 7th fret with big stretches down to 4 and up to 9, not down in open A position like every cover and tab shows.

[@LNROKR55]

How about a little "Summer Nights" from 5150. Oh yeah those girls are bitin good tonight. See ya down at the old fishing hole !

[@jeremycruz2302]

Loved it!..want any and every VH tune. Thank you Ben.

[@teddybozzio73]

The more I know Ed, the more i discover! His playing is like those paintings that keep revealing details as long as you watch them. Thanks a lot, man.

[@brendanshervington3560]

Thanks Uncle Ben! Your attention to detail gives shredite! Power!😎👍

[@user-ke4gu3yh7j]

Hallelujah! Ben you got it man, I found it so hard to transition that change!! Thanks so much.

[@RickGtr271]

Just goes to show how many people are too lazy to slow the riff down and take time to listen to it. I guess Ben here is one of the few that take the time to put the work into it. That is the real lesson here.

[@homeboyjethro]

that little part always eluded meee Uncle Bennnn 🔥🔥🔥 thnk u!!

[@chandlerclement1365]

Praise the heavens, been waiting for this video. Sounds spot on! Learned a lot of new things.

[@mattwarbuckle]

This song has meant so much to me for so long. Since I wore out my “Without a Net” VHS in the 80s. Thanks Ben!

[@jonmichaels362]

OMG dude that concert video was THE BEST. Watched it over and over and over. “This is the first #1 for all of us!” - and then straight into the Dreams intro. Gets me in all the feels.

[@joehitterman8620]

Incredible- such a subtle, awesome song- the nuances layered on the whole song framework are divine. There are definitely touch harmonics thrown in at the turns. Thanks!

[@bradleystereoguitaramplifi9616]

Edward's beauty was that he never really played anything the same ever. I really love that plexi tone pedal. Great lesson!

[@davehappablap5549]

Man!!! Your attention to detail in your teaching is so appreciated. The shout out to “mangle it and strangle it” for someone like me who’s always playing thumb on back is KILLER.

[@davidperezgonzalez1839]

I asked in comments for this song like a month ago after seeing Uncle Beller trying the VH wet dry wet rig and playing that song. The song has a lot of details and is one of his best songs and riffs. Thanks man!!

[@jessenicholson1777]

More Van Hagar! Criminally underrated. You just hit my favorite. Feels So Good is another favorite. Poundcake and 316 you can’t go wrong with those.

[@_Rick_S]

This has always been my absolute favorite EVH riff ever and you 100% totally nailed it, awesome lesson! 🤘🤘

[@JgHaverty]

3:20 I just realized "I want the besssst offff bothhhh worldssss". He was really in a box during this era; yet somehow made everything sound fresh.

[@ChewieEst]

Such an unique and unusual riff. He’s a genius, plain and simple. King Edward 👑 RIP

[@anish3183]

Always cool to see EVH lessons!

[@boydlepopproductions7225]

Great Vid. Top of the World, especially the live version, has so many cool little details.

[@BitsOfEternity]

Nailed it! Gave me goosebumps... Sounds great, as always - and taught like the pro you are.

[@jowens1126]

Definitely the best version of this kind of video for this song. Excellent! I've been playing it wrong for 38 years.

[@Broodwich11]

This tone is perfect. Thanks for the lesson - this song is also one of my all time favorites.

[@davidthompson5846]

That friggin sweet Uncle Ben! Gonna try it tonight! Thanks!

[@blndrckr]

Oh the fine detail!! That really is gold

[@spicoli3206]

Get it uncle Ben! Well done, One of my favorite VH songs, Alex drums are kick ass in the intro as well. Keep rocking

[@JacobNNorton1982]

This is my favorite lesson this far! You’re a hero!

[@bstemwedel]

Thanks for this, that transition has tripped me up for years.

[@djwinston99]

Great tone and love the attention to detail!

[@gsmeeuwsen]

Great video and tone, Ben!

[@romansingleton8831]

great video and instruction!

[@zerolight9420]

Thanks Ben. I love this song too, and still struggle to get this right. I'll be watching how you play this for weeks! 😂

[@sjung66510]

F yeah! I love these EVH detail lessons. How about the intro to Source of Infection next time?

[@fflat5150]

Another outstanding feature thank you Uncle Ben. Always inspiring! The into and groove (especially when the vocals come in) to The Seventh Seal would be fantastic. Just so many options with King Eddie.

[@andyracksthecams]

Great video. I have to say that is the way I worked it out back in the day before YT video. I didn't see Edward play it either. It is such a happy guitar part.

[@vincent33195]

I could play just this part of the tune for days and days… thanks Ben! 🙏🏼

[@fotog04]

That's cool! I still have the original Guitar magazine that featured this tab, which transcribed exactly as you are playing. Nice job!!

[@tomanderson6140]

Well played, sir. Literally and figuratively.

[@VariusSep]

Great job Ben. I enjoy your interesting and informative videos.

[@BenEller]

Glad you like them!

[@kibscott6096]

This song kicks A**, 5150 is my favorite song from that album. Thanks for the great video and choice song, have a great weekend 🤘

[@joecool9756]

This Ben Eller,, Love every word he says! Wow, been missing this perspective my whole life and i didn't even know it!

[@kellywilson8440]

That intro was INCREDIBLE and the perfect tone just wow , Id love to see your take on aint talkin bout love intro sometime , This was great thank you !

[@AllenGarberGuitarFun]

Great catch Ben! Remember that Ed used the ‘58 Flying V on the main guitar track for this tune…what a great piece!

[@jasonmasters7630]

5150 is my all time favorite Van Hagar… Been practicing this forever… now I’m gonna have retrofit… Cabo Wabo I would be awesome

[@daveycmusic8903]

The transition between the verse and the chorus is ABSOLUTE GENIUS and one of my favorite parts of playing that song. You should slap that vid out. He's the KING of guitar rock songwriting. Even considerable to mention him as a prog rock genius. Great stuffs Ben. King of guitar education on the interwebulitis.

[@chrisfit]

The part where it goes into the pre-verse with the big open chords always gives me chills. It was and is my favorite song off my favorite record by VH.

[@tomusic8887]

Nice detail 🤟

[@JP4271]

Thank you, Mr. Ben -> great content as always! I agree with you - this is one of my favorite VH tunes. Props to you for doing the detailed detective work to discover what he was really doing on the recording. Not easy to do. Subscribed!

[@enricmarshal]

Great video ben. I like how you explain.very clear. Greetings

[@magnusjmvc8895]

The apex of VH composition on EVERY level. Amazing video! 🫡

[@sirtogii5216]

While I wont be trying this anytime soon, really enjoy just watching and listening.

[@kaivrancken]

Really aweseome, detailed analysis of this legendary riff and great explanation. I got caught by this vid and it kept me from working here at my desk. Don't listen to any picky critic. You're doing a great job, Ben!

[@LocrianDorian]

This is definitely one of the best intro riffs of all time, I learned it a few years ago, probably without the detail you are mentioning, but it's been a while, good opportunity to do an updated revision ;)

[@502outlaw2]

Nice breakdown. Good job!

[@barramacsiulai5948]

Superb video as usual!!! Such a great VH riff. Yes please for more Van Hagar stuff!! Amsterdam?????

[@tyreechiejackstone7379]

The 5150 intro is truly one of the greatest rock riffs. It tells the entire "story", from beginning to end, and the rest of the band has even entered the scene yet! Great work, how about " Get Up", "AFU" or "Cabo Wabo" next?

[@gokhanersan8561]

Cabo Wabo !!!

[@Wolf.51.50]

Well, what can i say? Great guitar, awesome tone, great playing, great lesson about The King, as usual. Thanks, uncle Ben!!!

[@davebasch5995]

Tio Ben...huge guitar fan..I'm a drummer...salivating at your tone and precise playing and teaching...thank you brother!

[@greg.2071]

Thanks for this. Your sound sounds great!

[@tonybarber420]

Jimi was that way too with not playing everything the same way...brings about the free flowing spirit of being in the moment.. absolute freedom. Thanks for the knowledge nugs, unc

[@DanLokar]

In love with your tone

[@ThatKa5p3r]

That f-ing tone, yo! Amazing vid all the way around.

[@finmac5548]

I been practicing this intro for months man and totally missed this little detail. Dude thanks for nailing this….now I can make it sound more like the record (well as close as I will ever get) 🤘

[@rowemo]

Learned something new. Thanks, Uncle Ben. Been playing this for years and never heard that little change.

[@rowemo]

Ps. You should break down the verse. Eddie's funky bends/slides.... man... what a Beast!

[@ttown918]

Great tone. Enjoyed the vid.

[@Erics_Gadget_Reviews]

Such a great song, thanks for video!

[@TeknoweltBoston]

This is AMAZING and so helpful, Ben! I love how you also stress here that it's OK to be messy; Edward would want it that way-- it's tone and feel not all precision

[@donaldyoung9838]

Hey Ben awesome video thanks an there all my favorite cause i grew listening to them ever since the first album came out an im 60 thanks

[@dusty3913]

Top VH tracks with Sammy, imho, The Dream is Over, Pleasure Dome, Get Up, Summer Nights, Black and Blue, Don’t Tell Me What Love Can Do (whoa), Aftershock. To name a few.

[@eddiejr540]

not to mention Seventh Seal…Sucker in a 3 piece!!!

[@mikebozik]

Excellent breakdown. Great tone! Joe is listening.

[@gcrauwels941]

Spot on brother. I always LOVED that song.

[@73twall]

Really love this EVH intro. A lot of intros from this era from many bands really rocked. EVH was such a master of muted arpeggios. I've tried to incorporate that kind of thing into my playing since the early 90s, to the point neighbors have said to me "play that Van Halen!" When it's not actually EVH, it just sounds like him, because I figured out how he did it and it is a truly awesome sound! For me, those shapes (and a lot of stuff he did) seems to be economy of the left hand. He'd keep similar shapes all over the neck, sometimes adding open or sharpened or flattened notes added in to make the chords sound more "expensive" as I called it, or fancy. It makes it easier to transition to something that sounds good with it. I do this in my own songs for that very reason. No need to make it harder than it needs to be. Great lesson, man. Just subscribed!

[@touchtennis]

Thank you so much mate.

[@robertsgarlata7552]

I regret that I have only one thumb to click to Like this! Got the tone on lock with secrets in what is hands down one of my very favorite songs. Thanks, Ben!

[@johnr3369]

I wish I had your ear for detail. Bravo!!! Good ol’ Uncle Ben will set you straight! Cheers!

[@nathanielpersohn600]

Thanks Ben E.....awesome job!