Lesson: EVH Part 3: The Solos

Van Halen’s unique soloing style covers a multitude of sounds, from the use of slow double stops and unison bends to frenzied two-handed tapping licks. Van Halen often improvises his recorded solos, and usually achieves what he is looking for within the first few takes. Van Halen’s soloing arsenal includes Blues-derived devices such as the use of repetitive patterns, pentatonic scales, and whole step bends. Van Halen also uses triplets and sextuplets over common time, his pioneering use of two-handed tapping, and symmetrical melodies and scale patterns.