Eddie Van Halen's Symmetrical Scales

Here's the next episode of Scales & Tales with Eddie Van Halen's Symmetrical Scales. I've had a lot of requests to feature Eddie's music, playing habits, secrets, and more - so I felt this would be a great lesson to add to the assortment of EVH-related episodes on the LNL channel.
This lesson takes a look at Eddie's awkward but immensely musical symmetrical scales commonly found in his music. After a brief introduction to what symmetrical scales are and how you can approach using them in music, we're off to the races with countless phrases, licks, and ideas that came directly from Eddies's playing habits and music. Eddie used many of these symmetrical-based ideas and concepts in his playing frequently - from small licks and brief fills to entire guitar solos.
Once you've worked from this lesson you should have a firmer grip on how to use some of these fingering-based ideas, which can also be found in the inspiring playing of guitar legends such as Allan Holdsworth, Shawn Lane, Buckethead, and countless other masters of symmetrical scale usage. As you'll see, there are various approaches you can find based on this material.
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What a bang-up job on EVH. It is so true, Eddie took convention and dumped it in the trash, cause he and his family were flat-broke. Necessity being the mother of invention, he took it all the way...and built a $300 million empire. Such an extraordinary story. I think that patch of sidewalk in Pasadena, CA where Ed and Alex, scratched "Van Halen" into the wet cement as young adolescents, should be designated a historic site. These boys made good.

[@vicesquadpunk]

Man, I am a guitarist of 35 years, a professional music composer and, until recently touring artist. I teach guitar and am still always active in creating and learning. I must say, you are one of THE BEST teachers and proponents of rock, in particular EVH that I have ever seen. I just wanted to give my appreciation, with love from London 🇬🇧 UK ✊️😊

[@elliotjohnson2159]

You need to get out more, buddy!

[@MrArtist1971]

Absolutely!

[@dannymcmince]

@@elliotjohnson2159 Bit harsh!

[@nomandad2000]

@@elliotjohnson2159 gonna follow you, you must be final boss in teaching Van Halen...

[@alexsandoval1139]

@@elliotjohnson2159 No need to be such a cuck

[@patrickkish6662]

Dude, as far as I'm concerned, Christmas comes every time you post a video. You're the gift that keeps on giving. Take it to the heart, my man👍🏼

[@dwainphillips]

Yes sir I've taken so many licks from him just sitting and talking playing explaining how this is done. ✔️ you can't help but learn.

[@bingefeller]

The solo on Push Comes To Shove is a masterpiece. It's when Eddie went Holdsworthian for a few seconds and then back into Eddie land. It really is beautiful.

[@b.scottfarthingsworth]

To me, his most tastiest well written solo ever ever ever

[@Jason-Evans]

Agreed. I always thought I was the only one that felt this way, but reading many comments since his passing about the love for this solo. It's def Eddie's love letter to Holdsworth, has such intense emotion & my all time fav VH solo. Cheers!

[@CaptnShred]

Yess!! Lately I've been listening to that song a lot. The phrasing is just so fluid and impeccable. That song is criminally slept over.

[@b.scottfarthingsworth]

and jason evans - this popped up today in my face and of course I knew you'd dig and instrumental version, enjoy my VH family kzbin.info/www/bejne/gn3WgZigoM1-Y8U

[@atomicpunk520]

His best work & prolly greatest solo all time by any .............. bar none!

[@JP-dl4ci]

I never knew why Eddie's solos sounded so unique. It's because lots of notes his licks were not part of the proper scale. It's those clashing notes that give it a flair. Very cool. Thanka.

[@bogotta]

Thank you. Your star wars poster was my wallpaper as a kid. I cant express what Eddie's music means to me. Respect.

[@wulfenii64]

There is not much more that I can say about Eddie's talents. He was the best in my book.

[@doncampbell7468]

Well said my brother. I will say this that I have never cried over anyone other than friends or family so far as anyone passing, but after it’s sunk into my head for about 20 minutes and I thought about that smiling face and how many years I have studied and listened and admired his playing it really just broke me down …like I had just lost my best friend… His impact on me and some of my really close friends has been more than words can describe because that’s how he played …thank God for recordings. God bless brother

[@supravatdebnath9464]

You are one of THE BEST IF NOT THE BEST guitar/music teachers in youtube right now. Don't know why this channel didn't blow up already. Keep up this great teaching channel, you are a gem. This channel is goona be epic!!!!

[@steveo865]

I remember the summer of 2002 I first saw friend of a friend playing some basic blues licks possibly wind crys marry. At the time I was very heavy into skateboarding around this time VH1 had a special on grunge and these were the two things that got me to stop ✋️ and say I have to learn how to play the guitar I had never been so determined in my life. My big thing was I want to play solos any guitar any solo sounds like angles speaking to me. Long story short my dad on holidays took me to guitar center and I got a squire strat and crate amp. And not to go to waste he put me in lessons with this 80s long hair rocker. And he could see my passion for licks and shred guitar. Till this time I was 17 never heard van Halen and he put in cd and let me listen to eruption from that day my life changed it was like magic co.ing out of the cd player. I'm now 36 20 years into playing and thank God I found your Chanel you have put the cherry on the top of the Sunday and gave me the light bulb 💡 moment I have been longing for soooo long to have it all make sense. My dad just got me kramer barracuda this Xmas and I striped it in 🎖 of Ed and will be shredding till the day I die. I'm still working on my blues. I taught myself harmonica and. this has helped. But can sure tell the difference in playing one is more mechanical the. blues really does have to come. from the feelings inside. But I still have many years left and hope to one day play with a band. Thank you so much for this and other lessons you are a fantastic teacher.

[@JohnVullo]

I remember when I first started taking guitar lessons and got a bit into VH, I remember that pattern at 8:20 from "Im the One". I asked my teacher if it was deliberate or it was just him being lazy just taking that 1-2-4 shape up the strings. He said it was deliberate but I didn't believe him really. I was so ingrained into thinking of those diatonic scale shapes, and how those licks 'need' to fit the diatonic scale pattern. I thought it was laziness haha. Now I know its a mix of simplicity and harmonic interest, which is really very smart!

[@futarydary]

Dimebag, big fan of Eddie's also used it in his solos. Cowboys From Hell, Domination for example. Great vid.

[@hugechimp]

EVH=GOAT

[@uncleremus5046]

I gave ya a like but I love Rhoads first. Close call tho.

[@scottwaszak698]

That opening salvo of notes in Ice Cream Man is simply breathtaking, and may be the greatest intro into a sole, ever!

[@tak178]

I've been playing for 25 years, and I never knew where these shapes came from. I was a huge EVH fan when I began to play in my teens, and now I know how and where these "symmetrical scale" ideas popped in my head. I have seen the light! Thank you!

[@curiousjorge6426]

You are an awesome teacher! You do such a great job in explaining the “why” behind the music. You do it in such a nice and encouraging way as well.

[@xjbomb4463]

I don't know all the names exp 3rd 9th Dorian. But I do get the shapes .and you have got to be be hands down one of the best at explaining some of this .even if you don't know the technical names your a huge help.because I know many of these scales bit not the names .and you help apply it even if your not a theory guru.

[@josephstreppone9814]

This video and a video about three pentatonic licks you can shred alternate in my daily warm ups from now on

[@FrankSpeer66]

You know what would be amazing is if you analyze a particular solo of Eddie's where he's not just doing fast runs but being incredibly melodic like, push comes to shove. You can show how his note choices are being used against the bass riffs and chord changes in the background and why it all works so well. That would be an outstanding video!

[@christopherspohn7932]

David Brewster, I think that's your name "thank you" for the video's you do. I personally met Eddie Van Halen while he was alive way back in the 1990's he explained a bunch of his approach and you are very close to what he said to me. He used chromatic with little bit of a focus on specific scales, but it was usually standard fingering pattern. A very simple approach after meeting him and Glen Cambell, which is why Eddie Van Halen met me he wanted me to introduce him to Gen Campbell. Between meeting Eddie and Glen it made me re-asses what my playing focus and practice should be less memorization and more learning to hear what was there, it shortened my practice and opened my view of playing up. Thanks, Mr. Brewster for reminding me of Eddie.

[@lightningstrikes7314]

Well Eddie died and everythings going to 5hit but we've got Dave to help keep morale up

[@TheMentalblockrock]

YES, we need some GOOD NEWS, like STOP THE STEAL, please!

[@CShermPlatinumShines]

shush we have mikey alex and sam still

[@stephenpemberton9943]

What?..With Rainbow bar and grill?horrible tribute but Dave was always strange

[@thebeanmachine4369]

Dont forget sammy, michael, His son wolfie

[@hortyist1]

@@thebeanmachine4369 Just watched Wolfie perform 'Distance" on the Today show ..Incredible !!

[@theopoiesis]

The thing with Eddie is that he did it first. As some say "there are no wrong notes", and speed helps to sooth our ears

[@brianruyack7632]

I don't care what David plays, I just love the singing tone he has, and so fast and fluid too.

[@joepipe1010]

Old Dave Yes ! In the last years game over.

[@bertgetner9397]

Killer lesson Dave! Please take us on your journey through EVH land. There's so much to learn.

[@stringbender11672]

Excellent breakdown, David!!! I love your point of view on these EVH ideas. Gives me a whole new way of looking at all of them. Thank you for this!!🤘😎👍🎸🎸🎸🔥🔥🔥💣💣💥💥

[@rmjon23]

There are a lot of EVH hackers, but this guy is one of the best. Mad props. With the "minor" symmetrical scale - which is shown in A starting at the 11th fret: I've always thought of that as him copying every Clapton lick from the Bluesbreakers record, through Cream: Clapton would constantly go from the minor pentatonic "blues" box to the major pentatonic box, 3 frets lower. If you sooner or later added all those notes up, you sorta get that pattern. OTOH, your explanation fits closer to reason Ted Templeman convinced WB to sign VH: He'd heard the "Coltrane of rock guitar." Coltrane used all kinds of symmetrical ideas on tenor sax, and was influenced himself by Slonimsky, among others.

[@staceyowens8496]

Great lesson, and it's cool to see Eddie's licks broken down in such a way that they make sense. You do a fantastic job of teaching. I never could play like Eddie but I always loved & appreciated what he did.

[@marcostabile848]

Thanks for decrypting the Master! really interesting and well explained. I was looking for this video for a long time :) ! so cool

[@BillLarkinmusic]

You have put so much heart into these Late Night Lessons and uncovered topics of mystery and have made my day many times thank you!!!!

[@CaptnShred]

I've been listening to Push Comes To Shove a lot lately, it might have my favorite EVH solo. That song is just one brilliant guitar part after the other.

[@StuNankivell]

20:36 Great point! I was about nine when I first saw Eddie on the Les Paul Tribute Show in the late 80s and I was kind of overwhelmed by the really high pinched harmonics and other pyrotechnics - to me it was like a machine out of control hahah!

[@bruceniblett959]

Eddie was the greatest rock player in my opinion. Nice video. People forget Alex is a god, and that was Eddie's backdrop..

[@jackdellad4602]

You're lightning quick and always thorough in your videos. A Maestro all yourself, a great teacher for the highly advanced player and an inspiration for those yearning to become better. Great stuff man, thankyou.

[@richardnoonan9867]

Awesome stuff. Your lessons are always so informative. Keep it coming man👍👍👍👍

[@chriscampbell9191]

Fascinating. I've seen hints of this in some vids where guitarists are showing some of Eddie's solos, but you take it apart in a way that makes it a lot easier to understand. Thank you for posting this video. PS love the looks and sound of that sunburst you've got.

[@PhilFeedback]

Great lesson video, thanks for posting this video! Rest In Peace Eddie Van Halen

[@colourtones]

A very excellent lesson, Dave! Really dig your utilitarian presentation of these stellar EVH facets.

[@richardjewett7702]

LOVE how you used legato on the scale shapes along with economy picking too!

[@ski5150]

BAM! David does it again! Thank you so much. Not only for your insight, but for your inviting, thorough, and calming teaching method. You da man! Appreciate all you do! Thanks man.

[@MDMOTP]

Incredible. You are hands down the Best Teacher I have ever come across. Thank you... :)

[@ThePoesse]

What a fantastic explanation of why those symmetrical scales work! I've been working on them a long time myself and your lesson is incredibly useful. Thanks for catering to us VH fanatics. It's one thing to be able to play like you do but to explain and inspire at the same time is a gift. A sincere thank you.

[@Blue_3rd]

Brilliant! Thank you, David. This was a real eye (and ear and finger) opener 😃👏👏

[@2216sammy]

Wow , very well done . I can see your emotion when speaking about him at the end it's hard to not get emotional because Eddie really was that special .

[@kiplukewhitehead8522]

Brilliant lesson. Nice articulation on those examples too. Done the great man justice for sure. Thanks man.

[@metalzombie6669]

my favorite video, Thank You for the EVH lesson.

[@TheRiverRiseII]

Even though this level of playing is so far beyond my comprehension, it's still fascinating to watch (and 'kinda' learn). Thanks, LNL!!

[@sierramodre1]

GREAT take on EVH; will hope to apply some of these lessons... thanks so much for posting Late Night 👏🏻🎯⚡️

[@JimmyKSimmonsOfficial]

This was awesome - I never learned this kind of stuff when I played professionally, just found different shapes that I liked and made them work - its really cool to see I was tapping into something much bigger and didnt even know it! Thanks for explaining it, you did a great job!

[@Hydrophish]

Your lessons are so well done, thanks for another great one!

[@Katalysaattori]

This was super! Thanks a lot! My mind opened up and now I have work to do forever.👍

[@JustyStoky]

Dave, you and Ben Eller are probably my favorite teachers on KZbin. Love it

[@h0tsex0r]

Brewster just wanna say THANK YOU for actually having a nice tone in your videos. Some other guys have kemper direct stuff that hurts the old eardrums

[@stevetaylor6488]

Thanks very much Dave - superb lesson. When you break it down, the concept so much easier. At the time it sounded like heaven simply because it was Eddie

[@gregceltorius4962]

Your channel has excellent content. We appreciate your clarity in your lessons David. Thank you from Montreal, Canada!

[@gianpaolousai1768]

Best Van Halen tutorial I ever watched! Thank you

[@tonynewell3801]

Great lesson. Invaluable insight into Eddie's genius. Even though I've heard them hundreds of times. I so enjoy you breaking down unmistakable VH licks. This would be a chapter in the Rock Guitar Gospel. Well done!

[@BangBangBeefyMacNCheesy]

The one trick or or lick I knew EVH made heavy use of was the 12-15-17 or similar variations... you did a great job of unlocking most of his technique here pretty much as well as anyone I’ve seen. Nicely done sir 👍🏻👍🏻

[@jameslabs1]

Appreciate the clear concise breakdown. Very good thanks

[@mathieumalaprade608]

Great great course... You definitely understand the guy... Best way to understand his art and teach it.... Merci

[@kamoverturf6192]

Something that i noticed about Ed’s playing during the mid 80s-90s (Hagar era) is that he’d mix multiple symmetrical scales during one phrase. Which is interesting because the mixture of patterns kinda imply actual scales as opposed the symmetrical patterns, which isn’t something evh is known for typically. Anyhow great lesson! I love your content, it’s like visit from Santa when your vids pop up in my notifications!

[@saldifrancesca2500]

Another great lesson and breakdown of Eddie's style and technique.

[@jmartini8875]

I have paused this video to comment here. I find it so hard to wrap my head around the idea that Ed never had a guitar lesson. Certainly I'm not saying he was a liar. I do believe him, but how crazy is it that all of this was just improvised? I mean I don't care who you are, or what kind of music you're into. This dude was unreal in his style. The professional acts at that time were all scratching their heads as we were. I'm so glad that I lived through this. The impact is comparable to seeing a UFO or Bigfoot. I own three Wolfgangs and they are a superb example of who he was in his inventive nature as well. So so glad I lived through this.

[@tommyjones3527]

EVH was able to take what he learned (by watching) his piano teacher and apply it to the guitar. I watched a video with someone who (first experienced EVH) when he made the comment, sounds like he "Eddie" is playing a piano.. wow I was like omg... my two cents...

[@SDesWriter]

It's not that surprising when you take into account his musical background and how many hours a day he experimented on the guitar. Some people learn best by having someone show them and then taking that a step farther while others learn best by simply trial and error. Eddie is one of those people who could apply what he learned musically to any instrument he tried to play. That never worked for me as years of piano playing didn't help me understand anything about guitar but within three months of playing guitar I was a much better player than after years of piano playing. It's just all in how your brain is wired and how much work you're willing to put in.

[@addictiveoverdrive5091]

Great explanation man, it’s amazing how this guys did things and how hard it looks but once broken down doesn’t seem so intimidating

[@robm3569]

There's no end to learning the fretboard of the guitar and the beauty hidden therein and I really appreciate the passion and joy you bring to exploring this wonderful instrument. I'm glad I stumbled upon and subscribed to your channel. All the best.

[@louisdeath8965]

Great lesson! You always have a killer tone! I also love the 14/17/20 from bottom’s up.

[@J24777]

Sweet!! Thanks for sharing this with us! Always enjoy watching you show us...

[@CarcPazu]

First time watching one of your videos, this was awesome. You've just won yourself a sub man!

[@Mortone71]

Great video. Note for youngsters, these patterns are symmetrical on the fretboard, but are not “symmetrical scales” in terms of music theory.

[@krayjay7146]

David your lessons are an amazing treasure trove of information,thank you so much!

[@johnegan4762]

Wow, nice lesson and show of love for Eddie.

[@jimbenny3331]

You’re awesome ! Thank you for honoring Eddie the way that you do.

[@cleaningsuplydepot8595]

Thank you for your humble approach and sharing with us!

[@zls9890]

That 11-12-14 pattern is from "I'm The One". Excellent lesson!

[@futarydary]

16 17 19, also

[@atomicpunk520]

That whole song from start to finish is about 130 mph & in our face. Love that song .

[@craziesthorse]

That song is great. I crossed the Rubicon when I learned that song on drums.

[@atomicpunk520]

@Scram Jam " It's leaving here we aggravate you " but it's all good

[@mos6507]

Really informative. Deceptively simple technique with a musically complex result.

[@FantasyFilms100]

Yess!! You have the best Van Halen videos!!!! Thanks!!

[@FrankSpeer66]

This is an amazing video brother! Lots more like this please and thank you.

[@larryk1978]

awesome video my friend!! Thanks for the great info!!

[@uncleremus5046]

Another great lesson 🍺’ski with great detail. Also thanks for the Cd’s digging both of them.🤘

[@slamham8527]

Outstanding. Thank you!

[@brianschraeder2832]

Great video. Please continue this video with even more in depth videos about EVH.

[@robbowen1242]

Really enjoying your lessons Dave ! I also enjoyed your personal appreciation for our beloved magician !!!

[@stefguitar2349]

This is so well explained, one of the best lessons I have seen in terms of applying technique, theory in an engaging way, I took a lot from this lesson, thank you 👍👍

[@kirkgreenman1386]

Thank you, That was some Awesome information. I Will be practicing .

[@paulyg1742]

Thank you for your lessons. You are a fantastic teacher. Got bless Eddie Van Halen

[@petew.1418]

Great video, David! I used to use these in the 80s, but sort of forgot about it over time. (Ok. Not "sort of", definitely forgot about it.) You've given me some work to do. THANKS!

[@rockonrory1]

Great work Dave!! Love that “ice cream man” phrase. That’s one hell of a stretch!👍🇬🇧

[@greg.2071]

Love your lessons! Thank you!

[@janiterinadrum1627]

I've been playing guitar since the late 70s.. had lots and lots of teachers lived in different states.. but you're a good one Dave,,you come across well, and easy going and easy to understand. Not to mention a deep deep catalog of guitar players famous and obscure which makes it a very interesting channel so thanks

[@clearmanlawyers753]

Man, thank you for your cool lessons and this lesson in particular. Awesome.

[@fasteddierocs]

Thanks for all these awesome lessons Brother🤘

[@nicoladisvevia]

A wonderful lesson and very engaging. I shall try out more symmetrical patterns!

[@notjonpeavey]

Fantastic lesson. I've played guitar for 30 years and have been able to learn stuff from Hendrix, Stevie, Trucks, etc etc. Any time I hear Eddie licks I'm immediately stumped, lol and awash with confusion. Even as a little kid I was Isolde's by these sounds. This lesson helped to decipher decades of question mark above my head. Nice!

[@HayloBand]

After decades of doing tribute bands I finally decided to do a VH tribute and what you are showing here is exactly what I learned! EVH was all about shapes rather than conventional scales. To my ear it all comes out sounding kind of like what a birds singing sounds like or an even weirder reference would be R2D2 😂 the first and last note matters and anything in between is just a wild collage of notes that don’t really make sense but sure are fun to listen to! Ad a dive bomb here and there, harmonics, a little blues and finger tapping and wala, that was EVHs bag of tricks right there. Great job on the video! Btw, I swear I have met you somewhere? Have you ever been to England, Alaska, Japan or phoenix Arizona? The first time I saw one of your videos I was like “ don’t I know this guy ?”

[@jamesmorelli5393]

David. Thank You for what you do ! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and knowledge, Your the best !

[@yes0genesis]

Awesome lesson!

[@Dougs-Ear-Hole-Entertainment]

Thanks for taking the time to reveal some of his tricks.

[@Paulskirocks]

Cool lesson. Thanks

[@neverquit9414]

That was a great lesson....Thank you!!!

[@Joel-nd5tk]

Great instructional lesson. Well done.

[@petermartin6813]

Great video, your knowledge of Van Halen licks is superb.

[@xaudiophile2]

Off to play now, thank you!