The REAL way to play Runnin' With the Devil by Van Halen! Weekend Wankshop 173

unclebeneller
instagram @BenEllerGuitars
Skype lessons? email [e-mail]
Yo guys! On weekend wankshop 173, Uncle Ben Eller here is gonna decode another classic riff for y'all! I've seen SO MANY bad and inaccurate covers and tabs for Runnin' With the Devil by Van Halen off their classic debut Van Halen 1 album (which is, by the way, one of the most perfect records ever made)!!! This isn't a terribly hard riff to play, but there's a few key points most people notice. I'll also show you the Eddie secrets for perfect slides and palm mutes.
Using my ancient Ibanez RG550 with Fishman Fluence Classic pickups into my Kemper Profiler, which is running those awesome Top Jimi "Brown Sound" profiles, which are INCREDIBLE!!! Probably the most fun i've ever had with my Profiler. Go buy em NOW!
Also, for those of you reading this, i took an extra step while making this video.... let me know if its worth the extra time it takes! I ran my guitar into Logic and recorded it while filming, then synced that track of guitar to the video itself. Usually i just use the camera mic capturing the guitar tone in the room. This new approach definitely sounds better, but does it make the video exponentially better for you all? Let me know, i aim to please!

[@mrmustard4478]

Sorry Ben, but if you listen to the isolated guitar track, he's clearly grabbing the B string on those first two chords too.

[@BenEller]

MrMustard sir, you are not wrong

[@mrmustard4478]

No worries, Uncle Ben! I've used your channel to learn how to play so many riffs and solo bits. You blew my mind by slowing down Blackened and I've been here since. Just thought I'd give a friendly correction! Keep wanking!!

[@markcaraway2656]

Only after the first time. First time through is just the power chord.

[@mrmustard4478]

Mark Caraway No, he does it the first time too. Listen closely to the isolated track and it's 100% in there from the start.

[@kyledawg92]

This is true, and you should also flatten the B string to make it less dissonant. Eddie would do it on songs where the B string is used for major thirds like this. I usually tune the B string by holding down the 3rd fret, so for a song like Runnin' With the Devil that's in half-step down tuning, the 3rd fret of the B string should read right on C# on your tuner. You'll notice playing open the tuner will read it flatter than Bb. It sweetens up those triad chords. Try playing that meaty open chord in "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" using this tuning (open across D, G, and B strings). It sounds killer!

[@geoffwaller8571]

Saw them in 1978 opening for Black Sabbath in Portland Oregon. It was a life changing event.

[@LD-qj2te]

Funny I saw them as an opener for sabbath in Chicago the same year !

[@briangray6476]

I didn’t know they opened for Black Sabbath. Ironically Eddie called Ozzy and asked if he’d like to be the vocalist for Van Halen.

[@davidmuir7711]

Same here. Birmingham, Alabama in Boutwell Auditorium.

[@scottkufahl6392]

I also saw them open for Black Sabbath, August 22, 1978 in Milwaukee WI at the MECCA Arena. They opened with Runnin with the Devil, Eddie played it with a white Gibson ES335. He raked the strings behind the nut. Awesome show!

[@DefenderTIM]

Holy cow, I've actually been playing it right. Badly, but right. :D

[@Jordan-rb28]

wrong actually, hes not playing it accurately in the video lol

[@DefenderTIM]

Possibly, but since I suck I was already including the second string on the first two chords sometimes anyway. B)

[@stege9979]

Haha, badly is always preferred over "wrong"!

[@jeremysmetana8583]

I think most of us who were kids around the time it came out understand why they chose the track to open the record. Firstly, it's really a stadium song, isn't it, and so bound to be a crowd pleaser. But I think the real reason - and you had to be around then to understand this - was how scary the damn thing was. The divebomb, followed by the ominous bass thumping, and then the mysterious piano-string-sounding nut picking, then this ponderous mass, like a giant striding over some hills. It's easy to lump it in now with other "classic rock," but at the time, we thought we were going to hell listening to it.

[@tanner3285]

Jeremy Smetana Hey I wasn't alive back then so I have a question. Did anyone ever say that Van Halen were Satan worshippers?

[@Guitarplayer724]

For us growing up in the late 60's, early 70's that moment came with that first slow bent low F note at the beginning of Iron Man. :D

[@imaouima]

@@tanner3285 I read something about David Lee Roth walking out of a witchcraft shop, but that's about it.

[@edwardmacnish1802]

Very True....lol @@Guitarplayer724

[@reineh3477]

@@Guitarplayer724 F? He is bending the open E string, and in the same time playing an e on 2nd fret d string.

[@AllenGarberGuitarFun]

Here is the actual tuning on the album version: 1st string: Eb +12.7 cents 2nd string: Bb +26.9 cents 3rd string: F# +34.6 cents 4th string: C# +35.0 cents 5th string: Ab +35.0 cents 6th string: Eb +26.7 cents

[@alfredhitchcock4406]

What does the “cents” mean?

[@AllenGarberGuitarFun]

@@alfredhitchcock4406 1/100th of a half-step. One half-step is equivalent to 100 cents.

[@Theofanis1000]

hey man very helpfull info!! i was looking for a long time to find the correct tune in that song, and that tuning feets very well! also pete thorn make a video for running with the devil tune! from where did you get this info, do you know some else song eddie use diffent tuning ? thx!

[@AllenGarberGuitarFun]

@@Theofanis1000 I’m probably the only person in the world who has been studying, finding and notating Eddie’s tuning offsets for nearly every recording since at least 2010. I’ve seen Pete’s video and it is not accurate to what Eddie actually did. For more information on Eddie’s many tuning offsets, please read through my forum post on the subject here: www.vhlinks.com/vbforums/threads/62695-Van-Halen-tunings-with-Peterson-strobe-tuner-reference Also, you can see my article and complete transcription of “Eruption” in the February 2021 issue of Guitar World here: drive.google.com/file/d/1IZ8SmwiHgBqKJ9o3WcDLOP-kUcqhaWD2/view?usp=sharing

[@willacewallace5905]

@@AllenGarberGuitarFun All very true. Eddie seemingly tuned his guitar to itself; never ever truly E flat or in the 440 Hertz realm. For this to work with his bass player, he too had to be tuning off of Eddie each time for studio work. Live, running a set of songs, once tuned, gig was pretty much set. I've noticed this over 30 years ago as a teen learning riffs and songs. Noticed that the stuff never sounded quite right playing with the album until I would tune off a chord or note in the material I was learning. From there, the material sounded right.

[@eddiejr540]

Uncle Ben...teaching is a gift, and i think you have it...your attention to detail and your ability to convey knowledge make you a natural....please do not waste this God given talent sir...and thank you for another great vid!!!....btw, i freakin love that ibanez and that tone is incredible!!!

[@MiikeyLawless]

Got it quickly. but you're spot on with Eddie's nuances in his playing. Probably takes longer to learn a van halen song perfectly than some of the more technical stuff of today.

[@scott917]

Ben, you talk about the little things that Eddie did and how important they are. But it is these little things(lots of them and his masterful use if them) that sets his playing apart from all the others.

[@P_SoapbarDogear_P]

Interesting how Eddie plays a lot of Keith-type chords while carefully avoiding the strings that Keith tunes down. It's the beauty and thickness of open G-ish chords while having standard tuning soloing available. I always loved how Unchained was like a Van Halen Brown Sugar as well. He was always creative in borrowing all the right things from so many influences.

[@joshuadaniel4443]

Uncle Ben, you are my favorite guitar player on the planet right now. The reason why I like this one is that you have zero % condescending snark in your videos no matter who or what you're covering; its all fun, appreciative, humble AF, and just puts everything in the right perspective. Thanks man!

[@peterschaefer1665]

Love it! I have also learned to slightly bend the d and g string sharp so that 3rd is more in tune. Great job Ben!

[@flekkzo]

Eddie is one monster rhythm player, to say the least. I think 80s hair metal has a lot to thank him for. I think an honorable mention for Vai is in order for his playing on Diamond Dave's solo albums. Some monster guitar playing there as well.

[@BenEller]

John Gustafsson dude Slip of the Tongue is the ultimate!!!

[@wadeguidry6675]

Hell yeah, I saw Vai twice on tour with DLR. The only other guitarist I ever saw live that amazed me as much as Vai was Yngwie when he was in Alcatrazz.

[@keithstevens2543]

Flattening the b string just a tiny bit really brings together those triads higher up on the fretboard. I’ve heard Eddie did this as well. It messes with your open chords a bit but makes a huge difference in accuracy.

[@JustAdude291]

true

[@caged7tiger]

As proven by the master Phil X lol

[@JohnnyGuitarRocks]

Outstanding lesson Ben, thanks. I've played this incorrectly for years. I'd love to see a guitar tab for the song Hang Em High.

[@GaryPiazza]

I don't play guitar, my daughter and I are working on drums. When I watch videos like this I'm blown away. Eddie was a master and these great instructions make that more apparent.

[@davelanciani-dimaensionx]

Great lesson - Rick Beato also does a great analysis of the whole song on his channel, too. Such a simple song, but so great! THE defining moment of arena rock for the late 1970's.

[@stepitupandgo67]

I've never heard of the slide down tip where you reduce pressure as you get down to the 5th ish fret...what a great little chunk o knowledge...TY Ben!!!

[@jasonbyas6150]

Thanks Ben! From a fellow Tennessean, your vids make it much easier to learn riffs than the way I did by ear back in the 80's when we didn't have internet and youtube! I never did even try to figure out Ed's guitar riffs back then because I always thought I couldn't. Keep rockin brother!

[@Frisbieinstein]

When I was a kid in 1978 I heard this riff over the radio. I didn't know who was playing it, but I knew it was the future of rock.

[@Dubnot]

If only that simple life was so simple...

[@Motovader72]

Thank you Uncle Ben. Your hand fingers play very well.

[@mountain7777]

Ben can you do a Kemper set up video? How to set it up for a total beginner? What kemper did you get? The one with or without the amp? How is yours set up?

[@patodonnell8605]

I realize the amount of effort that goes into your videos to make everything look so effortless. I appreciate the hard work you put into all of your content. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge.

[@AndGuitar]

Eddy is very percussive, his hammering and pull offs , slides and mutes and notes etc. added to the overall percussive rhythm he has which is why it’s next to impossible to tab accurately and also makes this song harder to play accurately when most think it is so simple.

[@marcoborrillo8097]

Agreed, his fingers were super strong. Listen to Spanish Fly for example. Especially after you listen to other classical guitarists try and do it. He's like twice as strong as them and you hear it in the strength of the tap.

[@naranjo01b]

I learned more of the use of the guitar pick in this video than any other KZbin video tutorial. 👍

[@hailepeep]

This was an eye opener for me, UB. You always seem to have the real scoop on the classic riffs, Thanks!

[@averagejoe2853]

Dude your face at the beginning kills me - yes this IS the way it goes....lol..thanks for the video. Not a big VH fan but always liked this song. Very easy to play but very easy to mis-play too.

[@alanija]

Your video really drove home the importance of the right hand technique. Thanks for sharing

[@revelswitch]

Thank you !!! I love the knowing look that you know and so do I I guess now too thanks for the confidence soaked correct performance

[@jalabi99]

R.I.P. Eddie Van Halen, you bloody legend!

[@RobertSmith-bn3zw]

thnks ben for ALL of your youtube stuff, I for one appreciate it

[@lra6494]

Thanks Ben, this is a gem of a lesson. RIP Eddie.

[@mrtwistyneck]

You are correct he did use an Ibanez Destroyer to record this song. He strummed the strings behind the bridge not between the tuners and the nut. It was an old trick that he did back in the party days when they were doing covers. If you listen to the isolated track of this song you can hear that he does this on alternating measures throughout the song

[@BenEller]

mr. twistyneck awesome!!!! Thanks for the confirmation ;)

[@emailchrismoll]

yes, also on You Really Got me he used this guitar because you can hear the toggle switch trick

[@mrtwistyneck]

emailchrismoll yep! Like this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jl6WlYiDa5mCe6M

[@vicrattlehead6783]

mr. twistyneck he strumed behind the nut , watch it live man

[@mrtwistyneck]

Vic Rattlehead Hi Vic! Yes, he definitely did later on when using guitars equipped with Floyds. On VH 1 he did it behind the bridge.

[@JohnnyGuitarRocks]

Awesome lesson, thank you Uncle Ben!

[@NiceChristianMan]

The icicle scrape at the beginning "IS" with the strings (high to low) in the space in between the bridge and the tailpiece of an old destroyer. When you do it with the same guitar it is undeniably accurate.

[@thepiperofsimms9974]

Always a pleasure Ben. Thank you !

[@billyhughes9776]

That tone you got is a pretty close approximation to the original on VH1 -- nice job.

[@CAP21]

Love your attention to details. Makes it more fun to learn to play.

[@jonasirw1]

Thanks for doing this. It’s never sounded quite right when I play it and this helps

[@6stringsbrainfingers]

Perfect Ben! It's like you watched my running with the Devil tutorial. You're the only other guy who does it right.

[@racrboy]

@beneller great video. Not sure if this has been brought up. Try "" flattening "the B string. The 3rd of the chord sounds" out of tune when your guitar is "in tune". Years ago I kind of stumbled across that. Totally makes sense now lol I really dig your channel great stuff!

[@absinha6209]

Your tone is spot on! Nice lesson.

[@breadyegg]

Great lesson for players to learn how much of an impact right hand silencing makes to the feel of the phrasing.

[@TheBrightSounds]

good spirit and patient teacher....thanks.

[@timelanguid4813]

Good explanation. Eddie was really funky with all the right hand dampening and left hand muffling of strings. It's hard to teach that stuff because it is more personal of the moment and not actually notes. VH early stuff was really funky and groovy, Funkadelic must have been an influence on him and James brown, I know they used to cover Stevie wonder superstition too.

[@Walamonga1313]

Wait, so I was playing it right the whole time time?! Kind of redeems how I butchered Fight Fire with Fire's prechorus riff.

[@michaelshane9726]

Do you think you could show the proper way to play "I'm the One"?

[@Geotubest]

Great, great channel. One of my favourites.

[@chazb6466]

Another key component you didn’t mention for the tone for this song is the echoplex delay. The reverb on the guitar for the early records was panned to the side of the bass...and the echoplex really widened the guitar track. Also very audible on: “Ain’t talking bout love” and “I’m on fire”.

[@emailchrismoll]

It was def behind the bridge....behind the bridge has that distinct sound

[@argonwheatbelly637]

Behind the bridge gives that piano sound. Behind the nut does not.

[@robjohnson6747]

You’re one of the only instructors that can break through my learning handicap ! Maybe I should’ve tried a different hobby at 54 yrs old . I’ll never even be just ok at guitar but to play a few riffs I’m cool with that ! Thanks boss !

[@matycee]

great breakdown, flawless delivery.

[@tashmaniii]

Nice tutorial Ben. Looking at Eddie playing this live recently, in the initial riff, he indeed seems to be playing the barre at the 7th with a hammer-on to the 8th fret B/9th fret D, then move that formation up to the 9th. I'm probably crazy, but on the original recording and on early live recordings it sounds like he's doing a hammer-on/pull-off before moving up to the 9th fret. Thoughts?

[@khalid6762]

I hear it too man i came here thinking he was gonna say something about it

[@khalid6762]

Apparently it’s delay

[@LaniakeaLeathercrafts]

Great video as always, Ben! And man, THAT TONE!

[@markfoerster6818]

Best Lesson on this song !! Ben if your on a Kemper could you share the name of the rig please!

[@josephmarrufo8592]

Thank you uncle Ben for shedding some light on that song you're the man brother

[@bobf1683]

Have always wondered how Eddie does second note on 7th fret. After picking it sounds like he bends the strings slightly or frets it tight and loosens pressure. I don't know what he does but the sound of that note makes the riff beyond awesome. Brown sound on full display. My favorite VH tune.

[@vinarino9425]

Got my shovel and digging it. Awesome! Thanx

[@Buddhabellie]

My goodness. You are an amazing teacher

[@big_tuna8]

He also used a Gibson les Paul as well like on you really got me

[@eljefeguapobarbon]

Great video, thanks for posting! Enjoyed seeing you gig in Fullerton during NAMM!

[@atticussampson776]

Thank you Ben! I sure wish I didn't start now at 59, but I am enjoying the challenge.

[@Mididaddy082395]

Nice tutorial my brother. Love it.

[@tomitstube]

good stuff getting all of eddie's nuance on a fairly easy riff, makes the world of difference.

[@fndrn8]

i was always playing the notes right and wondered why it never quite sounded right. thanks for the lesson!

[@toxicba]

Great lesson thanks and the tone is amayzing!

[@WhiskeyGroove]

How do I know your right by saying it's this way. I don't, but your presentation and delivery is top notch. Great vids bud and muchly appreciated.

[@stratmanuk]

I don't know if you've already covered this but if you could get me playing that bloody shuffle feel from 'I'm the One' so that it sounds spot on then I'd be a very happy guitar playing dude!

[@ClassofEighty2]

I always appreciate your attention to detail. Thanks again.

[@andrewbettis4247]

That was definitely consistent with the tabs in my Van Halen best of song book... great job with a dynamics and finesse well done

[@horstschinkel5244]

Great explanation Ben !

[@larcelmer]

Best guitar tone ever! Agreed!! Nice video!

[@zaqwoodward8851]

I feel like I’ve never had so much fun taking a guitar lesson as I do watching and learning from your videos.

[@CC-qb9sm]

Enjoyed this lesson and really dig your channel. For VH requests: Main riff to Mean Street (would be fun to have a lesson on the full intro too; Feel Your Love Tonight, 5150, and agree with the other post on on Hang 'em High. Not asking for much, just 4 tracks ;-) Thanks again for all the great lessons.

[@jockelindgren]

Yes Ben, totally worth it to record this way!

[@LD-qj2te]

Spot on and great tone !!

[@carsandhealthtoddrosenzwei2661]

BEN---- you are an awesome teacher! I learned it within minutes. Thanks man!

[@philipreedwallace]

Thank you. That sounds so much better than what I was doing. I was not too far off. Your way is easier. And sounds better.

[@jamesstewart8054]

Ben you know your stuff. Great video cheers James.

[@duckydrummer6331]

Good info. Also, the 5 things we missed on ATBL was great. The thing about covering Van Halen music in a band is that the audience is very demanding and crtitical. If your band is playing a gig somewhere and you throw in a VH tune, you better play it right!! If you don't, guaranteed there will be at least a dozen or so guys in the audience murmuring to themselves how dare you even attempt to play VH incorrectly! It's weird but guitar players really take ownership of Eddie's guitar playing. I'm glad you are pointing out these small but crucial things about Eddie's playing because I think its these small, seemingly insignificant things that truly illustrates Eddie's genius.

[@guitartoneSA]

That guitar tone is exceptional! 👌

[@cetmarino1979]

Sounds good...first video I watch from you...now I will check another's out. Just subscribed

[@ronfigg1]

You’re the best Uncle Ben!

[@ssolo8]

You, Sir, are very concise!! Thank you!

[@lokarrsboots9337]

What a beautiful Ibanez this is! And great tutorial of course :)

[@Kevin-nr9lj]

RIP EVH. Thanks for this lesson Uncle Ben

[@MrTedsidea]

GREAT LESSON BEN!

[@tonywitt7033]

That old Destroyer belonged to Chris Holmes from Wasp. 🤘🤘

[@BenEller]

No way?!?! For real?!

[@tonywitt7033]

@@BenEller I just watched a newer interview with Chris and he told the whole story. It’s on you tube.

[@ajabbott8559]

@@tonywitt7033 I watched that as well. I had no idea they even knew each other. They seemed like pretty good buds.

[@kevex3929]

I thought Eddie and Chris got Destroyers at the same. Little, both dudes at the same place buying them? I'm probably way off. Who knows.

[@AllenGarberGuitarFun]

@@BenEller Eddie had his Destroyer which he used for the album and Chris had his own Destroyer. They each bought theirs at almost the exact same time from the same shop when they were first sold in 1975-1976. Eddie hacked his into the Shark Destroyer just after the recording of the first album and he didn’t like the sound anymore. Then years later in 1979, Eddie borrowed the Destroyer that belonged to Holmes for the recording of ‘Women And Children First’ since it was not hacked up and still had the great tone that Eddie liked in his original Destroyer before he cut it up. The Holmes Destroyer was definitely NOT used on any Van Halen album except for ‘Women And Children First’.

[@kennethdunklin278]

I absolutely love your 550 UB.

[@unstablesun8179]

Love that little Zappa photo on the wall, nice!

[@md65000]

I don't know about that right-hand muting stuff. If you watch the live version from 2015 he's clearly using his left hand to mute--including using his thumb to mute the e-string. Conversely his right hand is all over the place--not hugging the bridge at all.

[@oneninemx8266]

Very well taught! Thank you!

[@imaniguana]

I like your video and it has corrected my playing of this. The only other thing I would mention is that there is no tremolo on a guitar. It's a vibrato. Unfortunately, Fender misnamed their vibrato system patent and the incorrect naming seems to have propagated throughout the industry.

[@LaGnole09]

Incroyablement simple et incroyablement bon! Un des meilleurs riffs du rock!

[@taylorhirschmusic]

Nice lesson, Ben.

[@RubenAguilar-hp1qi]

Thanks teach I got it. Simple and accurate I appreciate it

[@psnpacific]

Uncle Ben U make it look so easy....👍🤘

[@zabelius1]

Such a beautiful guitar.

[@sheldonclark7168]

You’re right on the tune-o-matic thing. I know it matches a Les Paul tuned standard.

[@RalphMercuroMusic]

Uncle Ben!!! You missed two squeaks. The flat tuned B & E strings and the pick scrape before the slide... Big Fan!!!