How Eddie Van Halen REALLY Played 5150!

This week, ALL my Patreon supporters get TABS for the legendary EVH riff, plus a special bonus video showing you how I'm cooking up that juicy Van Hagar tone! Sign up today!

Because YOU asked for it! How come none of the TABs or lessons on 5150 by Van Halen sound right??? It's because they're neglecting to mention this latching little finger trick that Eddie did to transition from chord to chord smooth as silk! It's a TINY detail, but it REALLY makes a HUGE difference once you put it into action! Uncle Ben Eller here is gonna show it to you, as well as a few other tricks you can do to get this riff sounding MORE BETTER!
Gear:
EVH Bumblebee
Carl Martin PlexiTone
Marshall 1987X
UA OX
What Van Hagar song should we break down next?! There's some AMAZING guitar work on those albums that NEEDS to be covered! Let me know!
#vanhalen #eddievanhalen #evh #5150

[JJohnson]

Honey, come quick! Uncle Ben uploaded a new slice of fried gold!

[APK-pnqh]

That 5150 intro is one of the greatest guitar intros of all time. It grooves, it swings, it is amazing. Great work Unca Ben. Mom says hi!
🤘😎🤘

[ffxiiangel]

I know it really requires a Steinberger TransTrem guitar, but a Summer Nights breakdown would be great.

[jerk_store]

After 30 something years I now understand why I've never been able to play this intro smoothly.

Bad tab books were a hallmark of the late 80's.

[SamBrockmann]

Eddie was just a natural guitar genius. The longer I play, the more I see things like Uncle Ben's wisdom, the more I appreciate Eddie.

[r.joseph]

Being a DLR-era VH purist, I was highly disappointed with “Why Can’t This Be Love” when it premiered. But then I bought the 5150 album on vinyl when it was released. I heard THIS song and knew VH was still amazing.
Fast-forward many years, I met my future wife whose brother was a tremendous EVH fan and a rippin’ guitar player. I miss him. Fly with the angels, Steve! 🤘🏼🎸🪽🤘🏼”5150 forever”

[gokhanersan]

5150 intro is my favorite piece of music. Beautiful instruction. Especially for reminding us that Eddie played it slightly differently live, kept it fresh every night.

[bobtimusprime]

The live version of "5150" off the Live Without A Net concert video is possibly the greatest live version of any song ever. That solo break is a thing of pure bliss!

This is one of the most difficult songs to master and King Edward plays it while running around, jumping, getting kicked in the butt, and performing calisthenics and aerobics.

[bilbocarter]

Poundcake is one of my favorites from the later Van Halen library. Thanks for all your hard work, love the lessons and attention to detail!

[bobbyruggs]

Eddie was the GOAT. His riffs and rhythm playing are absolutely mind blowing. Great Job Uncle Ben.😊

[SkeeterMcBeater]

Dude, that EVH lick is the most ham fisted & messy technique of his I've seen demonstrated. I love it. I'm going to practice that & see how I can incorporate it into my own songwriting. Also, that tone is killer. Chorus is so fun. Can't wait to hit up patreon.

[dorianfrank]

Mr.Uncle Ben, You are the Van Halen of teachers, Seriously!!
Thank you, thank you kind sir😀🎸

[jessenicholson]

More Van Hagar! Criminally underrated. You just hit my favorite. Feels So Good is another favorite. Poundcake and 316 you can’t go wrong with those.

[louisjamesreeves]

Ben you earned your spot as my Van Halen go to. You sound really good too. It's a warming sound to hear 5150 once again

[wmot]

Your 'regular' vids are great; your VH stuff is off the charts - best of the web!

[ColorsFadeGaming]

Good lord Ben, this is the best breakdown I've seen of the intro. This is my favorite VH song to play and I knew I was missing something. Great work. Thank you so much!

[sergioaguilar]

This intro is amazing, is like a celebration of guitar, thank you!

[RyanMaziarz]

The other thing in this song that no one ever gets right is the prechorus “Still we try, win or lose” part - he plays it up anchoring on the low string at the 7th fret with big stretches down to 4 and up to 9, not down in open A position like every cover and tab shows.

[dusty]

Top VH tracks with Sammy, imho, The Dream is Over, Pleasure Dome, Get Up, Summer Nights, Black and Blue, Don’t Tell Me What Love Can Do (whoa), Aftershock. To name a few.

[mattwarbuckle]

This song has meant so much to me for so long. Since I wore out my “Without a Net” VHS in the 80s. Thanks Ben!