White Lion "Tell Me" Solo Breakdown + Vito Bratta soloing SECRETS

Downloadable practice tracks, bonus guitar lessons, and MORE here: / benellerguitars ! This week, all my Patreon supporters get downloadable TABs for this amazing solo, plus access to TONS of bonus goodies! Here's some of my favorites:
Grab last week's practice tracks at a variety of tempos, plus the midi tracks so you can build your OWN workout, PLUS the downloadable TABs here! / 50395556
How about a treasure trove of drone tracks that i made!? 12 root notes, 12 major chords, and 12 minor chords, for a total of 36 super long drone tracks! Its everything you need to learn all your scales in every key! Here's the direct link you need: / 49828461
Wanna learn ALL the notes and master the board? Here's the lesson you need: / 45181774
The BEST Half Hour of Alternate Picking Practice EVER: / 33563344
The secrets of note targeting revealed: / 38535524
My followup to my Ditch the CAGED System video: / 40492155
Get sweet deals on all the nice things i use here: imp.i114863.ne...
Hey kids! Its your good buddy Uncle Ben Eller back with Weekend Wankshop 308, in which we dissect Vito Bratta's amazing solo from the White Lion classic "Tell Me"! In this video, i'm gonna give you a lick by lick lesson on how to play this melodic masterpiece, then we are going to talk about the scales, music theory, and note targeting choices that Vito makes through the solo that make it sound SO GOOD! These are the same tricks you've heard in his incredible solos from Wait, Little Fighter, and others, so learn these secrets and you'll be shredding like Vito and writing memorable solos in no time!
Gear:
PRS Hollowbody
MXR GT-OD
PRS Archon 50 MKII
Delay/reverb in Logic Pro X
Lemme know what Vito solo we need to learn next!!!

[@BenEller]

Thanks for learning Vito Bratta’s melodic soloing secrets + the White Lion “Tell Me” solo! What’s your favorite Vito solo?!

[@youvegotmysong]

You already did it. His solo in Little Fighter is one of the greatest of the era. Keep up the hard work, you are great.

[@theekonezung]

Don't Say It's Over

[@oliviertroupin4512]

Wait is a cool one too, but all the riffs, chords, solos, melodies from Vitto are amazing. Great job Ben, really interesting video

[@kinkinmyslinky967]

Hungry, all the elements of EVH in this monster of a song played by an absolute legend.

[@satchrules101]

very well explained, do you have lessons on to feel how long the measure is when soloing over each chord , a lot of people have that problem , I guess you could say the down beat of each chord ? Hope that made sense .

[@timothy5974]

VITO!! Come back to us, we miss your guitar.

[@APK-pn4qh]

Vito was one of the best in the 80s. Such a melodic player with superb technique. Love him.

[@RogerCorley]

I’m 51 years old. I started playing guitar when I was 16 years old. This is the clearest, best explained demonstration of melodic soloing over chord tones I’ve ever seen. Great job!!

[@BenEller]

Thanks, Roger!!!

[@gmangsxr750]

This is actually the song that made me decide to learn to play guitar. Loved Vito so much.

[@tonepoet]

Everything from that first album is a guitar gold mine. Your Vito lessons are my favorite, Uncle B.

[@arkady86]

More Parallel Major to Parallel Minor? YES PLEASE!

[@Anthony-nk4ky]

SECONDED!!!!!

[@jakemf1]

The legend of Van Halen runs deep in the 80’s- hands down the best era for guitar playing

[@NielsBeier]

I've been the guitar tech on some of Mike Tramp's recent tours and shows, and he still talks about how amazing Vito is. He and I both wish for some sort of reunion. :)

[@philfrank5601]

Tramp needs to a) get over it already and b) stop badmouthing Vito whenever those three people still left interviewing him ask him the inevitable White Lion reunion questions.

[@donalddulude2173]

Best tutorial of Vitto's Tell Me

[@Zwellop]

Can never go wrong with some Vito!

[@deanwitt7903]

There were a lot of guitarist in this era who had melodic solos , however what made Bratta different was that near every single solo he ever did was catchy and melodic . I believe he would hear in his head what a vocalist might sing but turn it into a solo . Unreal talent .

[@Reafroad151]

As it's been said, over and over Vito Bratta is soooooo underrated. Please do your magic from the song "Wait". Thanks Ben.

[@BenEller]

Hit that one up years ago, my man! Dig in: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5nZdaWJnqt2qdE

[@davidp7833]

I love his intro into little fighter. love it

[@jetset9561]

Loved Vito's playing - his solo on Love Don't Come Easy has to be my favourite - so cool to play, so smooth and fast at the same time.

[@c1ph3rpunk]

Vito was such an underrated guitarist of that era, his style was always unique and different, his solos really stuck out.

[@stevemineer2857]

He was hardly underrated back in the day. He smoked all those guys as far as I was concerned.

[@philfrank5601]

Underrated??..absolutely not. He was incredible and every guitarist knew it, and many stomached the cheese lyrics just so they could get to hear Vito's solos.

[@jspartacus]

He was never, ever underrated. Right off the bat, he stood out with his melodic ideas. He was well revered back in the day.

[@c1ph3rpunk]

@@philfrank5601 it’s probably the band, I remember every metal player friend of mine back then saying “what a bunch of pu***ies” and just ripping them. All the folks I knew weren’t willing to even give Vito a chance due to the band itself which has always confused me. I don’t get how people can’t spot talent regardless of where it located. Mind you, all of those dudes are still working at the drive-thru liquor store in New Lebanon, Ohio now.

[@autk]

Yeah since harmonies and well written songs suck lol, metal heads "chug " 😂

[@chrisleriche]

Every solo Vito does is a work of art, which is why he's been one of my favs for over 30 years. Still want to get a white Steinberger because of him.

[@michaelwade379]

Vito was a great all-around player, melody and flair, he had it all. I was never a big fan of the songwriting in the band and would have loved to see him in a project outside of White Lion but he was undeniably one of the great melodic players in the late 80s.

[@carolmarable6825]

I'm with you. As much as I love Vito's playing, I wish he'd played in a band that was heavier . I never really liked many of White Lions songs. They were only listenable to ME because of Vito's amazing guitar playing. Just my opinion.

[@johnnytruck2009]

Vito was never underrated in my ears.. His melodic voice was beyond the norm at the time. Thanks for doing his stuff...

[@smc8144]

Vito is so underrated! Great guitar player and musician. Thanks Uncle B.

[@kwantoon]

Ben you're just awesome man. I started playing several years ago but admittedly I haven't kept up on it like I should have, life sorta got in the way, but. I recently started playing again but found myself a little uninspired and haven't put much effort in to learning anything new, that was until I came across your channel. I learned the solo from When the Children Cry from your video and it really inspired me and brought that excitement back in to playing for me. So, thank you You're a great player and a great teacher Ben. Thanks so much for taking the time

[@BenEller]

Happy to help! Cheers!

[@Islendingar]

He’s an awesome guitarist and I’m sad that they’re no longer together and that Vito hasn’t done much since White Lion …… I think Tell Me was one of their finest and a real melodic line too ….. fantastic tune !

[@MrBluesMessiah]

Yeah, Mike Tramp has made a lot of new music, but unfortunately with Vito's wrist problems he's put away the electric to play classical.

[@satchboogie5418]

Ben THANK YOU so much for doing songs like this that are great but "outside the box" from the usual songs that people demo of this era...I hope you will keep teaching us these under appreciated gems..I, like many, are in awe of your skill and proficiency!

[@rkttime]

Whenever I think of soloing to match the chord tones, I always first think of Elliot Easton. He does a great job of playing just what I needed.

[@BenEller]

oh MAN, absolutely!!!

[@j_freed]

Elliott is the king of perfectly memorable solos, it's magic.

[@27Albert28]

Been learning “Tell Me” over the last few weeks, (hadn’t gotten to the solo yet), because Vito’s playing, especially when combined with the vocal melodies, is just so darned catchy ………… and now Uncle Ben posts an accurate and well explained video of the solo. 😳 Thanks Uncle Ben!

[@GreatWhiteLionSnake]

It was nice to see into the future. Thats high quality youTube material. And remember: if it was easy enough, everyone would do it.

[@darrenm01]

Vito is the man. Ben is the man. I’ve never heard him play something that “sounds like” the song. You can tell he works hard to match how the original guitarist played the material. Real attention to detail.

[@martynspooner5822]

Excellent video, broken down and explained perfectly, and an eye opener for me personally. Thanks a lot much appreciated.

[@BenEller]

Great to hear!

[@rtcinc6200]

My favorite White Lion song by a mile and love the look on Ben’s face when he knows he nailed it at the beginning. 👍🏻

[@kadinkol]

He seems to be so forgotten today, but I always loved his stuff. Thanks for the work behind the scenes.

[@Krullmatic]

Always loved Vito! I love his tone and his phrasings. He always stood out in the Hair Metal Haze of the day. I never understood why he settled playing for White Lion!

[@stricknine8623]

His playing fit those songs. And those are very good songs. White Lion was an incredibly gifted band.

[@SDesWriter]

You should be asking yourself why Andy Timmons settled for playing with Danger Danger. I love Vito, but Andy is a completely different caliber of player (and that band went nowhere).

[@Lance37a]

@@SDesWriter Timmons is great but I have to believe if Vito kept playing he would be just as good as Timmons.

[@dannyspitzer1267]

I remember in around 1985 going to a Zebra show in Syracuse during a snowstorm. White Lion opened up, I never heard of them, it was before they were known. I remember being impressed by them, especially Vito. My friend recorded the show on cassette tape, the tape copy is now in my step-dad's attic, haha (no joke). I'll always remember that show, one of those nights you'll always remember. I'm dating myself, but I'm kinda ok with it; kinda.... :-)

[@TheCountofToulouse]

Vito simply going ghost on the whole world was one of the harder things to deal with. I wanted so much for him to get in with some new guys and keep making smoking beautiful solos. I always loved him and Nuno, they did things in a more musically intelligent way. Vito made White Lion what it was. The Little Fighter solo is another gem that takes a few times to get it down. In some ways, I consider being able to get Vito down as a major benchmark in your guitar playing ability. Thanks for the video!

[@UltimateTechHub]

The most melodicist solo ever!!!

[@actionpotato]

These lessons are great. I have entire notebooks of solos I've tabbed out over the years that aren't really accurate when I revisit them later.

[@jasongooding987]

I hit the like button as soon as I read Vito Bratta.

[@BenEller]

he's very likable!

[@danidelgado3015]

A very underrated genius. His solos blew my mind…

[@Anthony-nk4ky]

Definitely would LOVE a parallel major and minor video

[@mixed34]

This was an awesome vid! I could watch hours of Vito break downs lol. Thank you!

[@beansurg]

Nailed it. This concept of hitting chord tones and chord intervals on a solo is what makes every great solo amazing. This is Gilmour' s secret. Not enough teachers make this connection or point it out in their videos.great job!!!. Please point these things out in future episodes

[@ianparker5007]

You explained the secondary dominant theory in such an organic way. Good as always

[@BenEller]

thanks Ian!

[@Thelizzwizz]

The video I always wanted! Thank you Ben 🤘⚡️

[@andrewthompson6893]

Bro, all guitar tutorials should be like this. Not only are you an awesome player, but you're funny and great at explaining things. Now please do Hungry and Lady of the Valley.

[@allengoeddey2719]

Little Fighter is my favorite by Vito. I always loved the sound he had. Thanks for the theory explanation. It’s a shame he doesn’t play anymore. I’ve heard Eddie Trunk talk about him on his show, says he doesn’t play, perform anyway, got out of it.

[@olafthiemer5759]

Great band, fabulous guitar player! Saw them live at Docks, Hamburg Germany, I think it was in 1991! Outstanding teaching, Ben, thank you!

[@lowdz68]

Brilliant analysis uncle Ben. Vito is such a melodic player. Way beyond my skill set but great to watch.

[@jimmiller2270]

Fantastic phrasing at the end of the solo. Pure ear candy.

[@ricfaust21]

Your videos never disappoint!

[@DesSherwoodGuitarTuition]

Great lesson Mr.Ben, always loved Vito's playing and solos. My fav' is 'Wait'. Your humor is so dry you could almost be British;-) Love it!! Keep slidin' around that G string;-)

[@BenEller]

's quite a good solo, innit????

[@signalsyyz]

Whoa...uncle ben..you make it look so easy...sweet guitar 👌

[@wob6776]

Was literally just starting to get into Vito's playing and learn some White Lion stuff... perfect timing!

[@darlingdon76]

Ben, I've been watching your videos for some time now and being a kid from the 80's, it always puts a smile on my face. This one in particular as you're making your way through the solo and look into the camera with that shit eating grin on your face, spectacular.

[@sotirios6882]

That was some melodic playing there BEN SOLO 🎸 Vito was a big fan of Jimmy Page. Then Eddie came along and changed things.It took his playing to whole other level. Vito's 3 favorite bands where Boston, Journey n Van Halen which he stated in a video interview I recently came across. ROCK ON.🎸

[@Cherry_Sunburst]

What a fucking great PRS, such big flames...Spectacular!!! Cheers.

[@ptrain9020]

This was great. This is way over my head to understand.

[@LowEnd-DropC]

Awesome video, really helps with your insights!!!

[@jessejames8162]

I almost cried just listening to that solo! Thanks bro

[@MichaelWilson-ri9pn]

Vito is the man!! Thanks Ben

[@dannyspitzer1267]

Awesome video, Ben, and really nice solo by Vito that you broke down....

[@daviddennis2075]

The way you deconstruct Vito’s composition and explain why he did what he did…I’ve just never heard it put quite the way you translate it to the listener. You sir, are brilliant!!

[@danjacobs4557]

Lessons like this are WAY beyond my my present skill level. That said, it’s just so damned valuable (and expertly delivered) I’m happy to be a Patron. Great work, Ben!

[@devilboystone]

Thank you!! Thank you!! Thank you!! More Vito solos please!!

[@hillbillyhardrocker5547]

When the children cry!!! That solo has SO MUCH FEEL!!!🎶

[@dannyspitzer1267]

yeah that's a good one

[@sierraridgereaper]

This is how a lesson should be taught. Excellent explanations with the indepth detail of whats behind the curtain so to speak. Top notch, this should be a lesson vid for other ytubers... 😉

[@manthony20]

Thanks for breaking this one down. Such a great solo explained very well. Nice work here.

[@wavemanmav9073]

Spot on. Vito was accused of being an Eddie Van Halen clone, but Vito really had his own melodic voice.

[@MrBluesMessiah]

Vito was 100% an EVH clone on the first album (Fight to Survive). He sounds so much different on Pride and everything after.

[@eldirtyfaygo5395]

He was never a clone in my opinion. EVH never messed with classical music or major scales like Vitto.

[@miawalkerYT]

Could listen to this solo all day

[@scamo1235]

Awesome lesson and explanation. Vito is one of the greatest.

[@JazzIIIIB]

YES! Definitely do a video on the parallel major to parallel minor.

[@militantmike]

Great tone as always brotha. You nail the licks with pinpoint accuracy

[@zvlhelme]

Well this happens to be my favourite Vito solo. Time to learn this

[@brandonhoffman9202]

Don't Give Up! Another Vito masterpiece! If you could break that down, that would be awesome!

[@ducamuk]

This is awesome, Ben. Thanks for learning and posting. ✌️

[@atelozmusic4887]

great video and content uncle Ben! i've always admire Vito's guitar playing and techniques.

[@Guithulhu]

Sometimes when you play at step dad speed, you do it so perfectly slowed it sounds like you slowed down the track and I always think of the old Bugs Bunny cartoon where the mad scientist is chasing him and they break a bottle of ether and are in slow motion. The scientist slowly says "I'lllllll geeeeeeet youuuuuu raaaaaabit".

[@krobclassic]

Always great stuff Ben. Realizing you can’t always make everyone happy who’s the noob with the only thumbs down on this? Come on man!!

[@OwenVickersGuitar]

Great lesson! Hard to pick a favourite Vito solo, he never did a bad one :)

[@vitobrattaforever402]

Great video. Thanks for keeping Vito's music alive. Cheers.🙏

[@shrimpboutique3584]

Vito was a guitar genius with insane creativity and ability. Absolutely the most underrated guitar player ever...his hand injury breaks my heart...

[@luisloya1120]

😭😭

[@dougandchicraig7704]

That was cool ! 1st time I watched. Love the solo, now I can figure it out better :)

[@flybynight1929]

Amazing job, on an amazing PRS hollow body, which I wouldn't have expected it to be played on.

[@mad125100]

Thanks for this video. Super informative. Vito is one of my favorite guitar players and it's fun to utilize his technique in my playing.

[@BenEller]

thanks for watching!

[@tallkeesh]

Fantastic analysis! Please do more of these. Also looking forward to the Archon review… the mk2 sounds good!

[@jakeeaton655]

Uncle Ben we need a great white - ROCK ME full lesson.. you're the only man for the job dude

[@dannyspitzer1267]

I second that

[@l1feson]

Awesome job Uncle Ben. Nowhere near enough love for Vito Bratta out there.

[@sheatanner9935]

Mike Tramp has a really unusual voice, and it took me a while to get used to it, but once I got past that, White Lion as a whole was full of phenomenal musicianship and songwriting. Terribly underrated rockers. It sucks they just fizzled out, I really came to love this band.

[@dickey335]

Ben, thank you for this lesson! I wish you could do an entire DVD of Vito lessons. 🤟🏻

[@DrewT92377]

White Lion as a whole deserves so much more credit than they get. Another victim of the times that got lost in the shuffle of what unfortunately became uncool? Their first four albums are a lesson in melody, songwriting, and tasteful technique. Vito could obviously play beyond most players of the day but used so much restraint for the sake of the song. His leads and rhythm work on tracks like "Lady of the Valley" or "If My Mind is Evil" are amazeballs. One of the few bands of that era that I prefer their cover to the original (Radar Love). Even their ballads, although a well worn trend, were always well crafted and somehow unique (Broken Heart, When the Children Cry) Appreciate your attention to Mr Bratta Uncle Ben. He deserves mentioned with the greats of that era.

[@BenEller]

all very true, Drew!!

[@jeffreyhaley991]

Love it! I would love to hear more on parallel chords and solos

[@Gonz216]

As your stepdad, I appreciate this solo at a speed I can actually learn it from. That said, asking which White Lion/Vito Bratta solo is my favorite is like asking me to choose a favorite child, or step child. That said, Wait got me started, obviously. Little Fighter is awesome. Tell Me (I'm here, aren't I?) is just...good stuff! If My Mind is Evil is epic. Living on the Edge just takes you back. Pick any. Vito was an amazing guitarist.

[@richdelb]

Great Lesson Ben !! I am slowly getting it. Slowly the mystery is filling in all the time. The idea of chord tones are something that my "Head" understands, but my fingers are still working on figuring out (if that makes sense). This moves me a step closer. I feel one of those "moments" are in my near future....

[@BenEller]

Glad it was helpful!

[@charlesblack4565]

Great video and great gear! Loved seeing the hollowbody 🤘

[@tgmurph8511]

That is excellent. Even at step-Dad speed (which is all I can do) and oddly I have never heard that song.

[@seanoconnor7846]

I always loved Vito and miss his playing. One solo I always thought was really interesting was for Don't Give Up off the Pride album. I'd love to hear your take on it.

[@manuelrivas3569]

Great lesson been thanks for taking the time to explain and break it down

[@georges7946]

Yes, Do a video on changing between a parallel major and parallel minor!

[@drexel11041]

That PRS is gorgeous!

[@floridabigfoot7657]

This was awesome uncle Ben! Broken down very well! Vito is one of my all time favorites! How can people give this a thumbs down smh some people are just haters. Love your videos, keep up the good work, just subscribed but I’m already subscribed from my other “guitar lessons” KZbin channel 🤘

[@BenEller]

Thanks a bunch!

[@Guitarnivore]

Vito was one of the main reasons I picked up a guitar. But I still suck at guitar. I always loved his SRV tribute, "Blue Monday".

[@Thedesertguy75]

The WAIT solo is melodic genius. His solos were soooo sweet.