Riff Kitchen #23 Breaking down Eddie Van Halen's "Beat It" solo

In the mid 80's I tried and gave up learning this solo 3 times before I figured out what he was doing. That was the days of analog cassette tape. Slowing down the solo meant changing the key, or slowing it down an 8ve where the notes became super muddy. I remember exactly where I was when I first heard Van Halen's solo in Beat It. It was so much more adventurous than any other radio hit, I was stunned and intrigued. I played it in a cover band for several years before I got to play it with Michael Jackson. The original is in Eb. This version is pitched up to E. Sorry for the reverse guitar image! Recorded late and didn't even notice. Sigh...
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[@pipposwelt]

Dear Jennifer, I'm playing the guitar for almost 20 years now. One of my earliest and probably the most sustainable memory of anything guitar related is the song "Beat it". I remember watching the HIStory show in Munich on TV and seeing you in that crazy outfit playing that solo. 25 years later I´m trying to finally get the solo done properly and all of a sudden I discover, that you posted this video and describe your difficulties (stretching to the 19th fret ;-)). This is just a blast and I wanted to thank you for being an inspiration in the first place and for this video in the second place! greetings from Germany

[@JenniferBatten1]

Hope you're still enjoying the hell out of it! :-)

[@pipposwelt]

@@JenniferBatten1 I do, but nailing the solo would help enjoying it even more ;-).

[@JohnnyBeane]

@4:50 That is my favorite EVH harmonic of all time!!!!

[@truthseeker630]

Nothing can come close to it!

[@BargainBarons]

You *TOTALLY ROCK* and we *LOVE* you Jennifer! 😃😁😁😁 AMAZING skills!!!!! I can watch you pick the strings all day!!!!

[@eddie51502012]

Amazong Jennifer !! Thanks a lot for sharing and keep alive the Eddie Van Halen spirit

[@dannyoliver1840]

Awesome Jennifer. Absolutely phenomenal. Another cool video from your channel.

[@JohnnyBeane]

Awesome Jennifer!!! Such a Classic solo!!!

[@jacobmods3018]

Yay! Thanks Jennifer

[@yrulooknatme]

honestly I was just thinking the other day how cool it would be if you showed how this goes. thanks!

[@siegfriedwashburn3484]

So this a EM? Gonna learn it today! Thank you, Jennifer!

[@powerchord8497]

This is amazing. Thank you so much for this! You rock!!

[@luigouvea]

Oooww this is just magical !! Loved it !

[@patrickfain9318]

Super awesome! Speechless

[@aliceaubrey471]

Iloveyou maam! From philippines!!!

[@VinayYadav-uv5mr]

Whoa! Thank you !🔥❤️

[@ericastrum5926]

I missed out on the BAD Tour. I watch the handycam vhs concert tapes cause it's the closest I'll get to being there haha. Gothenburg 1988 is my favorite. Question... How did Mike do the disappearing trick between "Working Day and Night" and "Beat It"? Ive watched those shows in all the good and awful quality glory for 20+ years and I cant see him make the transition ever. That's fast how he makes that much distance and managed to change outfits "and" put a jacket on.

[@wangerek6336]

I love it

[@djmr.moustache112]

Michael lives forever ,Van Halen lives forever

[@pexcornel]

thank you

[@EndreGiovanni5869]

Awesome babygirl!

[@luisarenassoto9990]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🥰

[@KeithCanisius]

Favourite Guitar Player, Steve Vai or EVH ?

[@JenniferBatten1]

Jeff Beck:-)

[@KeithCanisius]

@@JenniferBatten1 I know, but between EVH and Vai, how did they influence you in the 80's and early 90's -:)

[@BraveheartOBM]

Jennifer Batten and maybe that old john McLaughlin ..... maybe also peter green (chasing shadows) ... hope you are well and keeping safe

[@TheHarperad]

What is the open harmonic Jennifer makes at 4:18 - 4:19 ? I cannot figure that part out :(

[@Aresh8]

Ciao Jennifer. An historical question: When you learnt it, how did you learn it? From Eddie or listening at a slow speed by last century magnetic tapes? (Ok I've seen in the video 😅)

[@JenniferBatten1]

stavrogin7 Marantz slow downer cassette machine

[@JenniferBatten1]

Slow speed Marantz cassette deck

[@HybridIntuition]

Yeah this guitar solo is not easy and it took a while but I finally got it haha!!. Although my version does not use a whammy bar as my guitar detunes!! !! #shredllife #guitasrheroes. Check out my version and let me know what you think ;-)

[@hazeymj2932]

Is it possible you could do the Billie Jean solo? I know it's not really that much, but a lot of people still get it wrong. You and David were amazing in the Dangerous and HIStory Tours by the way!

[@mogoestoamerica]

You always been my dream girl I love you Jennifer

[@RavenMadd9]

so please post more lessons?

[@benalfons1165]

Way more authentic than Orianthis‘ try.

[@jacobmods3018]

6:40

[@Wonderouz]

Why did you change from eb to e

[@JenniferBatten1]

Wonderouz Jackson Because you need open strings. My guitar is not tuned down a half step

[@Wonderouz]

@@JenniferBatten1 you just made my day with this reply😜 but on a side note....thank you for your contributions to all the tours. Funny how I've seen you all my life...never would I have thought I'd get to talk with you...even though this is only a comment section lol. Hopefully 1day I'll meet you & greg!

[@AlexRamosDrTaz]

Also... it would be a real job to reset the Floyd for a half step, JS. :)

[@namreg944]

i dont start the solo with a deep deep depression, i end it with one. because i cant play it.

[@JenniferBatten1]

😂