How to Play Atomic Punk by Van Halen (Rock Guitar)

[@AllenGarberGuitarFun]

You’ve done a very good job with the basic concepts and correct positions for the song, but I might be able to offer some help with how and when to engage the MXR effects. “Atomic Punk” (played on the vintage Fender vibrato equipped Frankenstein-timings are approximate) begins with the MXR Phase 90 already engaged to accent the “rubbing” of the strings near the bridge with the edge of the right hand in the intro. It is then disengaged at approximately the 18 second mark. Then the MXR Flanger is engaged to accent the fill (that is performed in a way similar to the intro) at approximately the 52 second mark and disengaged at approximately the 54 second mark. The MXR Flanger is then engaged during the fill that leads to the guitar solo (as is the exaggerated slap-back echo likely from the Echoplex which is engaged immediately after the flanger) at approximately the 1 minute 28 second mark. The flanger is then disengaged at approximately the 1 minute 30 second mark. I believe the MXR Phase 90 is then engaged at approximately the 1 minute and 31 second mark and left on for the duration of the solo until it is disengaged at approximately the 1 minute and 57 second mark (and the Echoplex is also disengaged VERY shortly thereafter) just before the B power chord stabs. Then the MXR Phase 90 is engaged to accent the same “rubbing’ technique as in the intro at approximately 1 minute and 59 second mark and it is disengaged at approximately the 2 minute and 9 second mark. The Phase 90 is then engaged at approximately the 2 minute and 41 second mark to accentuate the descending chords beginning with the A/E polychord and disengaged at approximately the 2 minute and 47 second mark during the pick slides just prior to the B power chord stabs. A LOT of “tap dancing” on this one!

[@yourguitarsage]

Wow, amazing addition, my friend. Thank you! Pinning this to the top.

[@sirstashalot7441]

Everything about this song is just pure rock and badassery. Always been obsessed with it

[@yourguitarsage]

🤘🤘

[@xx_bazinga_xx6946]

Ever since my dad showed me Eddie Van Halen for the first time he has been my favorite rockstar ever

[@bigalb8935]

I agree this song is so killer just learning some of this song makes me feel like I’m the shit 😎

[@loumason6120]

@@yourguitarsage Sounds amazing! I freakin love that guitar man, playing Atomic punk note for note with that rig must be such a high

[@yourguitarsage]

Thanks for watching! Hope you enjoy this lesson. Do we have any Van Halen fans? What are some songs that I have not done yet and you would like to see? Comment below. See you guys in the next video! e :)

[@medicinemann8844]

I have song tab book but haven't tried it out yet, doesn't really explains the gear set up

[@MarkThomas-cx8nt]

Humans Being

[@hanshaan4610]

YourGuitarSage yes!

[@MrOldnslofly]

How about Bottoms up?

[@hanshaan4610]

Yes, there are millions😀 VH 1 for the start 1 as a complete album lesson. I play for many years and still learning. It never ends.

[@b1ak3m]

Ok...so your lesson is really great technically...but what makes you go past great into awesome is your attitude and how you encourage your viewers. You seriously rock man. Grateful to find you on KZbin and become a subscriber.

[@yourguitarsage]

Thank you, friend! 🙏

[@riplead]

I'm a huge EVH fan, and am extremely critical over EVH performances by others, but you just blew me away. Respect.

[@yourguitarsage]

So kind! Thank you so much, my friend.

[@ourlifeinwyoming4654]

Ditto.

[@robertschaffer1598]

This proves that Eddie Van Halen never has been or ever will be of this world. Van Halen's debut album it's nothing but phenomenal brilliant amazing. Definitely a must-have in anybody's rock music collection. Guitar tone is f****** fantastic. How about doing I'm the one and On fire

[@csells458]

Thats how a lesson is done!!!! So many just jump into it without playing it. Only after watching 15 minutes of these other guys are like me they don't know how to play it either. Yaaaaaa!!! Van Halen you're awesome. Learn more from you in 20 minutes than 100 vids of other dudes

[@mjs5150]

Hearing and watching EVH play is what made me want to pick up a guitar and play. Good stuff! More VH!

[@gregscott2510]

Dang son you've been holding out on us.

[@yourguitarsage]

greg scott 🙏

[@junkiejonesandthepicogang6598]

You've got some elite skills my guy

[@bigalb8935]

I want to play like that ✌️

[@bumbojack2010]

I’m usually not a fan of longer lessons, but this one is an exception. Clear instructions and easy to follow along with

[@yourguitarsage]

Glad you liked it!

[@nncoco]

Watching this played shows the brilliance of the composition. So creative.

[@yourguitarsage]

It is a brilliant piece. I agree. 💪

[@ramessesvivivi]

Awesome performance ! Equally awesome lesson !! I'm very glad this is the song that was randomly playing in my brain when I woke up this morning so I could find this! I will never pull it off myself but what a great start

[@yourguitarsage]

You will get it in time, friend. Thanks for the kind words.

[@jascoplumbingsupply4224]

Loving the Van Halen lessons. Great addition to my repertoire. Courtesy of your guitar sage!! And thank you so much for adding the details on the effects. Very helpful

[@yourguitarsage]

Thank you 🙏

[@aadityam9999]

Your tone and clarity Is amazing

[@GAdamBarrett]

Now about that EVH guitar? You could send that my way no problem! Awesome video and cover! Thanks man!

[@wm.p.callahan979]

That was awesome Erik. Love your lessons thanks much🎸🎤

[@cscoioscscoios2768]

Excellent lesson, great delivery. Awesome how you show when and how to use the effects. Well done man. Subscribing and hoping to find more Van Halen!!!

[@mikejames9642]

I’ve watched a lot of your lessons but this one is your best!! Keep the VH stuff coming ... lots of lessons already out there so I’d pick something less popular like DOA or Hang em High... the main riff is tricky but not over the top Eddie, thanks!!

[@mdub048]

Awsome! Follow up with "On Fire" please. : D

[@scottybee33]

You'all can also use a C9 (every breath you take chord) at the ending... Cheers Great Lesson.!!!

[@mk-oc6bq]

The mix of this badass song and your hilarious personality made learning Atomic PUNK! so enjoyable, Thank you.

[@yourguitarsage]

Thank you, friend! 🤗 www.yourguitarsage.com/30

[@DonTheGuitarGuy]

Awesome job man, bang on. Thank you! R.I.P Edward.

[@rodi2004]

VH one of the main reasons I wanted to learn guitar

[@TheBlackStrat502]

CRUSHED it, Erich!! great job

[@yourguitarsage]

Boom!

[@hermanmoore6539]

Great lesson thank you for sharing love EVH and RR. Rest his soul keep em coming!!!

[@malissaperez8485]

I love it when he says ATOMIC PUNK!!

[@JB-ob8qu]

What a great lesson!

[@ElDami]

Fantastic lesson. Thank you very much for it!

[@yourguitarsage]

🤘🙏

[@IncendiaDivinus]

Awesome lesson !!..Thank you sir !! How about 'ON FIRE"....Showing the flanged parts ...will be on the look out for it !!

[@seeker0ftruth312]

Dude .. wow thanks. I'm gonna try this tomorrow. Probably won't get the tone you have, with my setup. But wow brother you nailed it. Thanks again. Just subbed to your channel.

[@sirstashalot7441]

By the way Erich, really appreciate the tone tips!!!!! Thats what most lessons lack and the hardest to figure out usually.

[@cerclesvicieux]

Really, as easy as this song is to play--it just sounds amazing!

[@willgibsonguitar]

great video! super helpful, especially the part where you went through how to get the tone.

[@MarcoPolo-je5ej]

Wonderfully done.

[@whiteriverfoam]

Thank you for making it understandable for us beginners.

[@ashleyf1817]

sounded awesome ,ive been toying with getting the same guitar

[@JD-li1xw]

absolutely brilliant playing my friend,

[@ginojulius297]

Just found ur Channel 3 weeks ago love it great job...

[@nickforbus378]

Great playing!! Great teacher!

[@bigalb8935]

One of the best lessons I’ve watched you explain it great as your playing it I’m excited to riff on this I’m just an average player trying to get better this helps me a lot thanks

[@yourguitarsage]

Rock on!

[@isMike999]

VERY cool lesson....nice.....thank you.....

[@OZHKAR1]

Very outta space sounds!! Super complete lesson Eric 🎸👏

[@yourguitarsage]

🙏

[@mikeanderson1316]

WOW! who would have thunk that the sage is a Rock Star..Out Standing Bro..i am so busy watching you teach it was awesome seeing you Really play ..Very Impressive young man..One of The Best! thanks for the performance

[@yourguitarsage]

Thank you, brotha!

[@waynefurman988]

That’s awesome , enjoyed you showing us how that goes .

[@yourguitarsage]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@neobx2]

Insane rendition 👏👏

[@yourguitarsage]

🙏😃

[@FoodFolksandGuns]

Nailed that brown sound tone. Wow 😮

[@yourguitarsage]

👊🏻🔥🙏

[@dedesigns]

OK, now you are just showing off...rock on man, seriously nice job.

[@kardasabc]

Love your approach very helpful always developing my craft like we all should, I will work on the and send you a video that I learned it from you

[@ShredSymphony]

Dude you are amazing!!!!!!!!!

[@vikings844]

Mad skills bro! I think Atomic punk, Mean Streets, and 'Where Have all the good times gone ' showcase Eddie's guitar skills best. Terrible losing the greatest guitar player ever so early in his life! I heard Eddie thinks he got his cancer from putting guitar picks in his mouth that had lead in them.

[@charliecampbell2924]

He was a heavyyy chainsmoker his cancer and death was most likely due to it I doubt the lead had much affect as it wouldn’t have been a huge amount. also eruption and the beat it solo in my opinion showcase Eddie’s skills the best Rest in power Eddie van halen 💔

[@tshouse2782]

Great tone!

[@randyjohnson5426]

Outstanding!!

[@yourguitarsage]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@dougarnold7955]

Really good lesson. I'm amazed so many of your subscribers are interested in this. I remember thinking it was a good one to learn back in like, 1984, and it was throwing back a few years even at that time! EVH is great to learn, especially the early stuff. I admit though I lost interest after 1984...sounds like fun. ...I wish I'd had this vid in '84.

[@doberchic]

"The scratchy scratchy part" - lol made me smile, so cute.

[@yourguitarsage]

Cute like a 🐻

[@dgfeeder9801]

Decently taught man, thx!

[@jorgegvb]

Thanks! More Van Halen please!

[@yourguitarsage]

👍👊

[@chrispilmoor4403]

Great stuff . All the best from the uk.

[@bigdogdaddy62]

Nice Job, Sir!! Awesome Song!!

[@whiteriverfoam]

Great job brother!!

[@richm487]

Awesome

[@Rabbott3565]

Great job!

[@onlyfromadistance7326]

GREAT JOB!!!

[@michaelpalermo354]

🔥… You hit his tone and other nuances damn near spot on.

[@yourguitarsage]

Thanks, friend!🙏

[@climber7565]

so fun and amazing!!!!

[@robertschaffer1598]

Fun and amazing enough said my Van Halen brother🤘👍🎤🥁🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@paoloisoardi5150]

You are great.. Thank you 👍🎸

[@flyingfatcatnation8393]

The guitar tone is damn good

[@GROCMUSICCO]

Before the solo I think he may click on the flanger as well as the phaser. Great tutorial.

[@loumason6120]

Cool lesson!.. i love playing this song on guitar even tho i'm a drummer, i can play like Eddie from some reason

[@john564holloway]

Ouch, Erich!! Way 2 go, bro!...Splendid, indeed!..I'll say it, Erich, if I may...For all the Floyd Rose haters that refuse to have an axe with this tool, don't even bother to watch...ok, maybe watch but YOU NEED a Floyd Rose. A Bigsby will not do....Love this video & great breakdown, Erich!

[@yourguitarsage]

Thank you John 🙌

[@steve10358]

Great video. Personally, I always thought the change before the solo was Ed using the flanger instead of the phaser.

[@xlr8r2010]

Fantastic...great lesson!

[@trapito1956]

sorprendente y magnifico maestro

[@yourguitarsage]

Hola, muchas gracias

[@rocktopuss9279]

Bad ass! More Van Halen vidoes!

[@yourguitarsage]

👍😃

[@seagullpoet]

Amazing rendition 🔥

[@yourguitarsage]

🙏

[@GAdamBarrett]

Any insight into 5150 would be greatly appreciated

[@Axman66]

thank you so so much bro +++ i am so impressed +++ that was so easy to understand+++ thats real professionell+++ wow

[@yourguitarsage]

Thank you my friend 🙌

[@rickfiocco2616]

I am a far cry from Eddie Van Halen I will give it a go anyway. At the very least It will open my mind as to what can be done on the instrument. Eddie is a truly unique and creative player. One of a kind. Great break down BTW. Digestible for a novice like my self.

[@yourguitarsage]

🙌

[@CharlieLeal13]

You rocked bro !!

[@yourguitarsage]

Thank you 🙏

[@38Achilles]

Great lesson......gonna get me some VH!

[@chrislopez1918]

Nice man love that song ✌

[@yourguitarsage]

👍

[@josephavila69]

Right On, So Glad I found You & Your Lessons, Dude You really are a Good Musician Pretty Awesome, I Grew Up Listening To Van Halen. I have always loved Van Halen. With Diamond David Lee Roth. I am a Big Fan Of Roth as Well, I never got to See Van Halen when They were Still Together. But I did Go see David Lee Roth When he was Touring With Steve Via. Front Row Man. Freaking Awesome Show. Yeah, I used to Have a Band of My Own. But I through in the Towel Right When We Were Suppose to Start Playing Out. I have regretted it ever Since. But Still Love to Jam. Nowadays. I would really like to do My Own Stuff. But. Gotta Know Some Eddie Halen. It's Like a Rule Of the Music. You just know that You need to Play some of that Style. I see You were giving this Lesson Out Back in 2019. Way Cool. Thank You, Bro...RIP Eddie Van Halen...*** P.S. Love Free Gear God Sent. Peace, Love & Blessings***

[@hanshaan4610]

Indeed a lot of funnn😉😀😀🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@jojonorris8047]

Just badass 💪❤

[@Sam-w9des]

your an incrediable player Eric!

[@yourguitarsage]

Thank you 🙏

[@ashleyf1817]

awsome

[@jeevatsingh254]

Much needed this... mr. Erich.. please.. keep the faith by bon jovi.... its such an amazing song with amazing guitar riffs n solos... please do it....thank you ;)

[@steelersnorth2914]

Great job. Eddie would approve 😎

[@yourguitarsage]

👍🤗🙏

[@mattstephenson8450]

Respect ❤ Yes

[@yourguitarsage]

💪🙏😀

[@davidgroom980]

Great lesson, fantastic playing, Great tone!! Are you using a Fractul? Thank you for the lesson

[@yourguitarsage]

Thanks, David. Kemper with “Top Jimmy” patches.

[@yourguitarsage]

Thank you, David. Kemper.

[@JohnnyGuitarRocks]

Outstanding instructional video! Question, when you play the guitar tuned down 1/2 step what gauge strings do you use? 9 to 42 or 10 to 46? Many thanks and keep rocking!

[@slag5150]

What Kemper profile is this??? How about speakers??? Sounds perfect

[@orange70383]

That song's genius.

[@alexanderboggs7482]

Badass

[@belgianguitarist7503]

Do Ice Cream Man next! :D (solo included)

[@NBKwillydog]

Rubby dub dub, EVH in a tub!! 🤘🏻🤘🏻 Trademark

[@altag1]

Nice EVH tone and delivery! Subscribed!... I did not catch the amp/cab/mic you are using, and recording chain?

[@altag1]

Went thru again and noticed a "Kemper" was mentioned..

[@HighYa1000]

i am subscribed and have clicked the notification bell - the only way I see your utube videos is getting notified thru twitter - not sure whats up but would prefer not to have to go thru twitter to get to your new utube vids - help as always and with everything - much appreciated

[@robert-lz9qf]

I thought eddie was playing it talk about spot on, love atomic punk a friend and me used it in our 3rd grade talent show back in 1980, boy im old lol

[@yourguitarsage]

🙏😀

[@Brandon11746]

thats hot, thats hot! -Will SMITH