Van Halen 316 Guitar Lesson - Acoustic

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The great Eddie Van Halen has written countless classic songs and guitar solos. The only negative thing about most of them is that even though they sound very cool, they are almost always impossible to play for any player who's playing level is less than advanced.

However, this Van Halen 316 guitar lesson is a wonderful exception. Appearing on the For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge album, it was written for his new son Wolfgang (who is now the bass player for Van Halen!!) and is named 316 after his newborn son's birthday.

This is definitely a solo guitar track that would work just fine on any acoustic or electric. It uses a fingerstyle guitar technique that is quite simple. I think just about every intermediate level guitarist would have a blast learning this beautiful instrumental.

As simple as it is, 316 is a very nicely put together piece of music. We have some cool chord slides, some nice vibrato and even some tap harmonics thrown in at the end.

After you are able to play through the entire song I think you will feel that is was well worth the effort. It's only about a minute and a half long so it shouldn't take to long to get there! :)

If you don't have much experience with fingerpicking, I suggest just taking your time working out those picking hand fingerings. They are pretty much self explanatory throughout, but you still need to get your fingers used to doing them.

Well that is about it. I think everything else is explained in the video lesson. Have fun tackling one of the very few Van Halen pieces that doesn't require you to be a virtuoso to play!

Carl...

[Vitor.Moreno]

May you find rest, Eddie. We love you <3

[curtisspeplinski]

The prettiest song. I learned this today, too. Hitting the 3rd fret on the d and e but leaving the a string to ring open is the toughest bit to do perfect each time, for me anyway because I'm not Ed
I love you Ed
Thank you for everything

[ChrisTian-rmzm]

I think the title "316" refers to Eddie Van Halen's son Wolfgang who was born on March 16, 1991. It's a birthday song. It quite stands out beautifully among all the hard rockers on the "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" album. The only Van Halen Song I will ever be able to play.

[Gerardus]

A junior high school kid played this on recital night here in Australia in 2022. I have to admit, I teared up - hearing the song, watching it performed, thinking of Ed, his influence and how it inspired a kid to find and play one of his songs.

[BillyNoon]

Sounds so simple, most really beautiful things are! Ill give it a go...

[LucidSkywalker]

I found this video for obvious reasons. Still reeling from Edward’s passing. Great playing man and thank you for sharing.

[jeffbailey]

This song is precious, especially as a dad. 3-16, Wolfie's birthday. I get chills everytime I hear this song.

[rgamr]

Great lesson!
Probably THE most natural sounding of them all.
When you Really listen to the song, Eddie is constantly on the A string laying down the rhythm.
Thanks for the vid!

[nicolasrea]

First you taught me Rain Song by Led Zep and now This, thank you so much, you are a fantastic teacher, you don’t try to explain everything you let us try to learn ourselves and I love it, again thank you so much!

[hawaiianshirtguy_]

You were, always have been, and always will be my Hero Eddie! You were the one that got me into music, and you were the one that made me pick up the guitar. I love you and miss you Eddie. Rest In Peace Eddie.❤🎸🤟🏻

[juanpablomarin]

Eddie Van Halen our greatest innovator!! He changed guitar FOREVER! Thanks so much for this TREASURE of video!! Blessings!

[derekwildoner]

This was an emotional one for me. I finally learned it right after Ed died. I extended the end with a couple blues bars. It’s my favorite thing to play ever. Thanks to Carl for this one and look for his video about Ed’s passing, you could tell it hit him hard. Like a lot of us Ed was king in Carl’s eyes. Would you really want to learn from anyone who thought otherwise?

[winkmaulana]

we loved eddie van halen rest. in. peace oct 5 2020

[wildchild]

those harmonics at the end were pure magic from VH

[knightsofmisery]

Lmfao when he looked up at 1:46 it looked like he forgot the camera was on 🤣🤣
Best teacher ever!

[jamesrunningwind]

Ty. This song came into life at a time when I was lost and drowning. It brought back to the surface to breathe. God bless you.

[eferro]

Thanks so much for uploading this ! I first heard Eddie play this live at the live without a net 1986 concert video and had no idea it was a song, I was so pleased to find this !

[larrydicus]

This was the first Eddie Van Halen guitar track I learned

[bubmark]

I love this song it’s so beautiful and melodic

[jdmitchell]

One, if not the best EVH arrangements imo.