how to play "Unchained" on guitar by Van Halen | RHYTHM guitar lesson tutorial

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

🎵 For more information on this lesson and the TAB: www.shutupandplay.ca/unchained--rhythm.html

[@joeyg751]

A great lesson. It sounds awesome. Coming from a weekend warrior, what flanger/phaser are you using to get that effect?

[@MyButtsBeenWiped]

Thanks, Andy, For All That You Do !

[@EwetoobSucks]

@@joeyg751 Ha Ha Ha ! You So Funny ! 😄😆😅😂🤣🤣😂😅😆😄 Andy ALWAYS lists his gear and pertinent information on the Title Page. You just have to hit the little down chevron at the end of the Thumbnail on the Right side. It has a little gear on it to let you know what gear he uses, aside from the fact that it ends in gear !

[@MyButtsBeenWiped]

@@EwetoobSucks Yep ! 👍 😁 🇺🇸

[@Geletemol]

Hehee😂😂😂😂

[@Piratesteve81]

One of the most badass riffs of all time. Hits you like a freight train.

[@steelbender58]

Its my ringtone

[@Bluezkat1]

Perfectly said! Just like a freight train

[@robertbordevik5072]

It’s impossible to get tired of that riff!!

[@waynepatton689]

I remember an interview where Ed said that this song was his favorite he had ever written and that he still gets goosebumps w he rips into it. Certainly one mean sounding riff. There will never be another even close to him.

[@Geotubest]

I always automatically "Like" Andy's videos even before I watch them. I know they're going to be outstanding.

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

Thank you George.

[@CAP21]

Couldn't have said it better👍

[@chasecom1]

Exactly! I just opened youtube up and there it was at the top. I thought "this is gonna be great" and immediately clicked it. Was not disappointed

[@timothycharlesellis5940]

I clicked like, watched the video, and it was better than the awesomnity l was already expecting.

[@Markle2k]

I always wait, just in case the algorithm has been trained to recognize “instant likers”. After all, I’m going to watch to the end anyways. And there’s nothing the algorithm likes better than that “sweet, sweet watch-time”, as Simon W says. Edit: ALLEGEDLY

[@doubled5383]

Whenever I am scrolling through KZbin feeds and I see that wine red guitar, I just click. Always awesome.

[@samxday]

It’s tasty. Love it

[@fastted9390]

I have one that is a limited edition "flower pot." LEs Paul Gibson of course. Yeah, I'm flapping my wings, but, you cannot find one for sale ( online / like new ).

[@thedangerussone]

You nailed everything. The song, the tone and your commentary about trying to learn this and other songs. I’m going to finally learn that pre chorus because of this lesson. Thanks so much for taking the time to learn it and for sharing this. I really appreciate it! RIP to Eddie.

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

Thank you very much.

[@johngerson7335]

Same here lol. Just like he said, if you can't get it in your head, you'll never get it out of your hands. And he's dead on about Ed's sense of time, he's always 'out in front' in such an inscrutable way. Almost like he's _ahead_ of the "1" all the time by just a scintilla, but he still swings like Gui-Tarzan lol

[@jamesthe-doctor8981]

@@johngerson7335 "Guitarzan?!" Man, you must be as old as me if that's a reference to Ray Stevens' 1969 song with that title!

[@johngerson7335]

@@jamesthe-doctor8981 "Well, he swings through the trees without a trapeze!" Yeah, I'm old lol. I spun that 45 'til the grooves wore to grey, and the b-side was great too: "Bagpipes, That's My Bag".

[@jamesthe-doctor8981]

@@johngerson7335 HA!! Yep, that’s the one. “He swings through the trees, without a trapeze...in his BVDs.” Damn, now you’ve done it, that song is gonna be an earworm for at least a week!! 😂 I had all but forgotten that song, but I still know all the lyrics. I think “Everything Is Beautiful” was his only serious song. The rest were novelty tunes.

[@davedecker1725]

Those two disembodied hands are the best players on KZbin 😎

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

Thanks a lot Dave!

[@unclebuck2502]

Dead on "Diamond" Dave! I thought I was the only one to notice the awesome most excellent non-CGI effect present in these video tutorials. Viewing these videos, one might ask if he's wearing a full-body chroma-keyed green suit. lol!

[@17BH76]

What always gets me about the disembodied hands is how relaxed they always are no matter what he plays. Amazing player and amazing teacher.

[@davedecker1725]

@Keith Baxter David Crosby? There's no MEH button😆

[@MyButtsBeenWiped]

Exactly, Dave ! They remind me of Norstein Bekkler at The Millenial Fair in Chrono Trigger !

[@reedfox6762]

Definitely one of the greatest rock guitarists ever existed. The rhythm, tone, feel. Everything.

[@Gbhbbgvsbnjhhdchhb]

Brilliant, I predict you will be renowned for your teaching and performance across all genres. No one can touch you. Attention to detail, no shortcuts, tone, technique, not to mention your teaching skills. I’ve been playing for over 30 years and you inspire me. A heartfelt thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@AchillesWrath1]

The opening riff to Unchained is definitely one of my favorites to play. There's so much energy in it. You should do a lesson for Little Guitars. The intro and the song. That's one i've always wanted to learn.

[@CroneRaven1810]

Wow mate! You should really do more Van Halen. Teach the younger generations the excellence that is Eddie van Halen! Spot on, you are amazing

[@Terrysoddy]

Yea he sounds just like Eddie was playing it himself, Awesome amazing guitar playing

[@vesslewis9166]

This has always been my favorite VH song. Finally gonna get past that pre-chorus. Now on to the lead....Thanks dude. You're making my 25 year comeback easy. I quit playing after 16 years because I felt I was in a rut and couldn't get out of it. Now with guys like you and YT I'm expanding my horizon.

[@TeleCaster66]

Seen lots of "how to play" guitar vids, this is the best channel. Been playing since 1981 and still learning.

[@klikissy]

Haha Eddie was thinking different for sure. One of the greatest riff ever and so easy to hear but so complex to understand ! Thanks for the lesson it's great 🎉

[@John_Doe657]

Best lesson of this song ive comed across. I can now play the pre-chorus. Thank you!🤘

[@calculatechaos]

Okay you are the only one who got it right on KZbin that I’ve seen. People playing the wrong amount of open chugs in the beginning/chorus riff. Great work

[@roofingsolutionscorgv4757]

I can completely relate to everything you are saying. I also never had peace about it so I asked the Lord to forgive me a little over a year ago. Now I am at peace regarding this topic. Thank you for doing this video, I am certain it will help many get clarity on this subject.

[@geraldhinson]

That part you struggled with (ahem, that WE ALL struggle with) is one of the greatest examples of Eddie's genius rhythm playing. Completely agree with you on the comments about him being one of if not the greatest rock rhythm players of all time. I've heard a lot more folks learn his lead work than his rhythm. And, that's just copying it vs creating it. This is one of my favorite lessons you have ever done. Thank you!

[@KBizzy]

Dude, I consider myself a capable musician. I’ve played on some recordings with some serious guys. And I’ve listened to this part over and over again for years and for some reason I have such a difficult time grasping the timing of that section. Nevermind singing the pre-chorus over it as well.

[@johngerson7335]

Freaking excellent, thank you! And you're so right about Ed's timing being such a big part of what makes his playing so darned inscrutable. It's like he's always just a scintilla in front of the "1", but he still swings so hard. You could always tell that he was the one "driving" when they played. I wonder if we'll ever see his like again, and truthfully, I kinda doubt it. Rest peacefully Eddie, thanks for everything.

[@jamieforbes3661]

My favorite VH song from the first time I heard it until now. Absolutely one of the best rock songs ever written! Thanks for the dissection of this masterpiece floating hands guitar master!

[@davidmuir7711]

A great video from SUAP, what a monster riff! Your final tribute to Mr. Van Halen was well-delivered. Your words are perfect: no schmaltz or maudlin sentiment. Heartfelt, restrained and modest. You’re a good man and it showed.

[@francoisfavreau769]

this is THE LESSON ,i listened to Van-Halen for 40 years and you got it perfectly .Not that there is no other good guitar player on YT but there was always something about the sound and tone and even the the 2 last notes of the fifth bar , most of the time they played only one.Anyway i'm glad i found it.Thanks for the special tuning.It's time to practice

[@Palmdalebandit_]

That is one mean riff. Eddie has everything and left nothing on the table. You nailed it as always. Never can have enough VH demos

[@ronaldyarush9907]

I've tried songs I wouldn't even attempt if it wasn't for this channel, this song will be no exception, excellent job, your dialed in my friend

[@williambrown6967]

That was awesome! What a fantastic tone. The album Mean Streets and this song were epic. I remember hearing this for the first time and being blown away.

[@bigdaddy4294]

The best KZbin guitar teacher, hands down, great lesson once again.

[@philthejet]

I agree, Eddie was the greatest of them all. I saw him at the Montréal forum in 84. I tried to meet him many times, it never happened unfortunatly. Thank you for your great vids.

[@firetruck637]

If i closed my eyes I'd swear it was Eddie. Prob the most spot on of his playing I've heard on here. Most don't get that tone much less the notes right. I'll be subscribing now. Great job. This is one of my favorite songs from VH.

[@sixtydriver]

One of the most iconic riffs in Rock. Completely crushed it. Thank you for this.

[@jerrypixar9245]

You are such a great player,it’s just astounding how precise you are.Just when you think your slightly good and watch your video,its like “I suck!”

[@davelindsey6890]

Wow. To my ear, indistinguishable from Eddie. I was 16 when Mean Streets came out and this has long been one of my favorite rock tunes. Perfect!

[@thomasnelson5758]

Still forever amazed with how precisely you nail the tones of every song consistently

[@PhilFeedback]

Great lesson video, thanks for making this video! Unchained has always been one of my favorite EVH songs!!!! Rest In Peace EVH 🥲

[@MrLabs]

I just understood what equal temperament tuning is: I always thought it might have been my guitar or I just sucked at tuning or my tuner was cheap. This is a revaluation to me, that just made the way I sound a %100 better. I must Thank You again for your contribution to Eddie Van Halen. Your lessons and insights to the songs are Awesome.

[@kevincupcake24]

Love this channel - not just the quality of the lessons, it’s the amount of time and effort that you put into every one. Great performance… thank you

[@belotface]

Thanks so much for doing this....Eddie is the one that made me want to play. Thanks again for making TABS available, Its so worth it cause you nail every song you put out and TABS are how I learn best. Thanks again.

[@landocal001]

You are the best online guitar teacher bar none. I have become a much better player because of you. Thank you very much brother.

[@thomaspreston33]

Brilliant break down as always... your approach and interpretation are always spot on... my skill level in guitar playing always improves with your lessons. Thank you.

[@joepangrace1983]

Duuuude this is the best explanation of that ive ever seen! Thank you!!!!

[@GMan-pi4or]

You never fail to impress. Another great and fun lesson, thank you.

[@wyldbill100]

Pickin' around and came up with the INTRO of this song just by happen stance. Had to find "someone" to light the pathway forward so I looked you up? POW! There it is! SO HAPPY!!

[@mykull66]

A master lesson in guitar scripture. Thanks Andy.

[@jnucleo]

Great tribute Andy. Your breakdown of the song, spot on and tone on the guitar was killer! I remember when VH 1 came out and it was definitely a paradigm shift in Rock and Roll. Eddie was a musical alchemist, the guitar parts of this song definitely have an addictive quality that he knew how to capture. What a great time to be alive when this music came out. Am I the only that feels we live in the new dark ages?

[@The72challenger]

Damn...don't know who this guy is but man...is there a song he can't play? He is without a doubt the best tutor on the tube!

[@motorv8N]

Andy, your ear never ceases to amaze. Everything you post and I mean every-freakin-thing sounds so authentic. The Kemper is just the frosting on the intonation cake. The other thing I love is your unhurried fretboard work. Doesn't seem to matter how fast the notes fly, you've got this relaxed style that's great to watch. As for Eddie - well, his music takes me right back to high school, hanging with my best buddy in his basement, vinyl and cassettes everywhere, cranking Van Halen and their contemporaries til his parents pounded on the floor. Hearing these opening licks made me cry for those seemingly simpler days. My buddy's passed now and I should have had Unchained blasted from the open windows of the hearse as it pulled out for his last cruise. He'd have loved that. RIP Eddie and Jeff.

[@dennisray2821]

love your tutorials, this is one of my most favorite Van Halen songs

[@TerryMasri]

Something about how you teach is very infectious. One of my favorite teachers on YT, if not the favorite.

[@alanr4845]

Getting the right tone is make or break for this song, oh boy you nailed it good.

[@gainbear8853]

Dude.... nailed the tone. One of the best rock riffs ever.

[@MrStretch148]

Dude! Love what you do. Eddie is the reason i play. You help refine. My first tab book was 1984. Thanks for this tribute

[@Gutenmorgenside]

Excellent cover, the sound is spot on.

[@anthonyward8587]

Best by far on YT, always a treat to learn these great songs. Cheers from Australia. :)

[@mseabs741]

Every lesson you post, you ALWAYS nail the tone. You Sir are a MASTER. I have been a subscriber for a number of years. You make YT a better place. Thank you!

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

Thank you very much!

[@donovanwillis370]

I have struggled with getting that prechorus section "right" forever...til now!! Thank you!

[@duckydrummer6331]

Unchained is such a killer song. It came out in the early 80's. All those years later and people are just finding out about it or still rocking out to it. Best way to hear this song is put the album on a turn table and some good speakers and turn it up. Michael Anthony really shines on this song.

[@SOLDOZER]

It came out in the early 80? Really? Nobody knew that. Thanks for the tip.

[@anthonyi3328]

@@SOLDOZER maybe there are a FEW that didn’t? As far as Anthony shining on this song, he shined on the entire album Steve.

[@roostergarfield5878]

Best teacher on the internet! Probably anywhere for that matter! Awesome!

[@robertgoodwinr6523]

Thank you so much! Huge help. Peace from Boston.

[@tempestfury8324]

Your passion and love for this is something much more than just a tribute to Eddie.... it's a fantastic lesson of a great song! Eddie would be the first to teach us all some wonderful things on the greatest musical instrument created. Godspeed and rest in peace brother! See you on the other side!

[@FreddysFrets]

Yes that tone is great. But more importantly, you nailed the feel. And that's the thing that's so elusive with Eddie. As Phil X said...the "violence" of that low C# cannot be underestimated!

[@The72challenger]

Out of all these tutorial videos I've seen so far....this is the best one!

[@inkpinz]

Maybe the best riff that has ever been written! Amazing man, I was waiting for something like this from you. 🎸

[@safenders]

You nailed the tone and lesson better than any I've seen

[@gabrielfernandez9792]

Hands down the best guitar tutorials on the net (or anywhere for that matter)

[@davidcox9115]

Thank you for breaking this song down so dummies like me can learn it lol after going over it a couple hundred times! I finally got it!!! Such an accomplishment for me!! Thanks again!

[@christianwentzel8062]

Love your videos! Your tutorials are definitely the best on KZbin in my opinion...most guitar tutorial channels dumb their songs down to the extent that the song loses all originality.

[@rockinvida1960]

Outstanding job nailing the vibe of the riffs and emulating Ed’s killer tone. I do think this is the best sounding riff and best VH song of all time.

[@sbrave]

Best EVH tone ever, on that album, an that pre-chorus is sick!

[@fryingm0nkey]

No surprise here, but WOW did you nail that tone and performance! Looking forward to checking this lesson out and playing this song the right way after all these years! 🔥🎸🔥

[@edwardmorgan8371]

One of my favorite songs. Excellent rhythm ....just sounds like pure party

[@mewisemagic]

I never would have thought you could get that tone out of that guitar. Awesome video!

[@georgemalian550]

Fantastic tutorial and love that gnarly, crunchy VH sound. Top Jimi really seemed to nail it....wow! This vid is definitely in my top 5 of songs you've done! Thanks for another down to earth tutorial and nice tribute to EVH. You've opened a door for many of us who love learning VH music but have had a stumbling block trying to learn this great song. Would love to see more VH tunes in the future! Cheers! RIP EVH

[@michaelsablan8772]

Aloha Braddah' Eh....Your lessons are so enjoyable and exciting....a pleasure to learn because you are such an excellent musician....very clean and precise! Mahalo nui loa as always for sharing your precious time!

[@waltergoring8428]

Very, very nice. You have a great touch

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

Thank you very much!

[@fodiddlediddle5015]

That tone.. Fantastic lesson. Stellar work. Thank you.

[@stephenchow5161]

i have struggled for literally years on that section. absolutely drove me nuts?!!!!

[@unclebuck2502]

I love your channel. Watching your tutorials is like that moment, riding a rollercoaster, when you get that tickle in your stomach just before the ride takes you down that first big dip. Thank you!

[@mhathaway35]

Thank you for this video. Legendary guitarist always made it look so easy. But made it fun. RIP EVH.

[@ryanwalker3015]

Still the most accurate and well informed lessons on the Tube. Keep em coming. Thank you for this one.

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

Thank you Ryan!

[@ryanwalker3015]

I’ll also say, that I truly appreciate your attention to tone. When you do one of these videos man, you nail the sound you’re going for. Don’t see this much on other videos. Good stuff man.

[@dorm1n907]

dude, literally every song that i listen and want to learn you have already made a tutorial. Really awesome! keep up with the good stuff!

[@cscoioscscoios2768]

Great lessons, excellent tutorials; straight and to the point. Keep up the good work, Rock on!!

[@flocCdraco]

holy that tone! always got great sounds for these tutorials

[@jaydawg7820]

I agree... EVH is GGPE to come down the pike.... (as u put it lol) You nail the tuning on this and exact play /with flanger ..no strange slurs....nothing drives me more nuts than a tutorial when the guitar isn't tuned right ... good job man, EVH would be proud

[@mjb0183]

For me, I find the 1:23 to 1:40 section to be incredibly advanced to get the sound progressions. What a genius !

[@rodrigogavea]

Awesome job as always. I'm glad you're going to release the tabs for the lessons. I've been waiting for the tab from Jealous Guy for sooo longgg. Keep up the good work :)

[@GMHG777]

Jesus you crushed the exact tone and killed the lesson awesome !!

[@MrActionRadar]

Man... I had been struggling with that dissonance and I spent almost the first 10 minutes of any practice sessions involving Van Halen songs. Especially when tuned in Eb. Thanks for the trick. I will flatten that lower string and save Tons of precious practice time .

[@michaelshoemaker7752]

Aa always bud, thanks for the lesson! I been practicing this on my x series martin acoustic that I keep tuned down most of the time. It is still good sounding riff without the effects.

[@toddknaster9731]

That was such an excellent lesson. Awesome playing as usual but the way you broke it down made it so easy to learn. Awesome tip with slightly flattening the B string! Eddie was one of the best and you made it look easy

[@MC-cl9ip]

Lovin the tone !!!

[@Bds737]

When you got to the Pre-Chorus, you encapsulated EVERY feeling I’ve ever had in trying to learn Ed’s songs. In even the simplest VH tunes, there’s always at least one part (usually more!) that are soooo far beyond my comprehension I just can’t get it, and end up faking something. GREAT job on an AWESOME song. 🤘 If you don’t mind a request, how about Circumstances by Rush. I don’t “get” that one either. 😜

[@billmers3219]

This guy is awesome 👍 Thanks for the lesson

[@briandebaun8221]

Once again, Andy... you nailed it. Tone, technique & precision.

[@BodhiSoftMobileApps]

Suggested tune for a future lesson, just because the guitar work is sooo tasty - "Every Time I Roll the Dice," off of Delbert McClinton's "Never Been Rocked Enough."

[@martypaxton7668]

ty I've always heard you flat the b string a bit when it sounds wonky and often it fixes it . ty for the great lesson on EVH. you nailed the tone too

[@dirkgibbens377]

Andy, you always nail it perfectly... tone, technique, accuracy. Best on KZbin by far! 👍👍👍

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

Dirk, I really appreciate that! Cheers, Andy.

[@privateer0561]

The bass makes it great as well. Steady, smooth, and right on...

[@ricardofreitas6973]

Great lesson, man! Congratulations from Brazil! 🤘

[@jeffrasmussen7462]

Finally the hard section that's easy to play, great lesson, will be looking at more of yours!

[@rockstarr9000]

Might be your best one yet. Amazing