Cracking the Code Episode 3: “A Pick and a Hard Place” — Eddie Van Halen & Yngwie Malmsteen

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Episode Description:

While Eddie's feats of fretboard wizardry often involved the sly subversion of traditional playing techniques, it was Yngwie's rigorous and utter domination of them that was so shocking. And when guitarists attempted to match his athleticism, we ran headlong into an old foe: the pick itself.

From the moment that we learned there was life outside the blues, there was trouble. Scales and arpeggios, and devilish mixtures thereof, posed a host of torturous challenges that players in genres as far afield as jazz and bluegrass were already, unfortunately, all too familiar with.

[joeyphillips]

This is like poetry from the inside of a guitarist mind.

[freemusic]

Phenomenal and historically accurate. Every guitarist on planet earth should watch this, even if it's not his style. It outlines an important chapter in guitar history in the exact way it happened and in the right order. Superb

[SupaRush]

I feel like i owe you money watching this.

[rodcosta]

This series needs way more exposure. This is extremely well done and produced. Thank you. I fell like I am back in the 80's when MTV actually played music videos and had music related programming. Incredible work sir.

[metaldudeupnorth]

It's just a shame these videos doesn't have WaY more views... They are just so Identifiable, and awsome to watch! thank you 

[rockinjon]

Troy, I'm sure you probably won't answer this but I'd just like to say thank you for all the work you put into these videos. I absolutely love your scientific approach on the mechanics of how the guitar "gods" exercise their technique. So many hours of frustration and bewilderment are being replaced by priceless knowledge and understanding FINALLY. Stuff the guys on my '80s shred tapes NEVER talked about. Thank you, and keep it up.

[ASquared]

This show is TRULY a masterpiece.  Delivering a fantastic documentary style, while keeping the viewer engaged.

[paulandlesson]

I am making my way through  "cracking  the code".  I am 47,   a career guitarist and professor.  This information (the incredible charisma, tech and video),   seems to walk me through my teens. Don't know what to say?  Incredible!  Can't wait to continue on.

[zackcahill]

This is so unbelievably well made, I feel bad that I haven't paid for it.

[Elienguitar]

Dude.  I don't think I can say anything that hasn't already been said about your playing and more importantly, your teaching style and delivery.  Delivering a bigger audience to you is my way of thanking you.

[utubehound]

You described my journey on Guitar to a Tee. Thx Doug Marks I learned 120 chords in a hr & the next hr was hammer pulls slides tapping vol swells the Boogie Woogie riff I IV V. It's took years to hone that & this is the parts I never nailed like I wanted to You have done a Incredible Job nailing the Time of the 80's learning Guitar. Wow! You need a Guitar Award or something...

[whoohaaXL]

Troy YOU'VE totally changed the way i play guitar. I've been watching these episodes and interviews for almost 9 years now. You've unlocked a to new shredder in me. I still have some sloppy Yngwie stuff but I'm happy playing like EVH and Dime for now. I learned a LOT of bad habits over the past 27 years. My story is just like yours, started out playing piano from 6 to 13, quit playing piano, started on guitar and that alone in itself is an amazing gift because pretty much everything transfers over. And as opposed to learning I also like to jamming along with my records and as you succinctly put it; I got pretty good quickly. Just a shame I can't play Fur Elise or Pachelbel Canon in D Major anymore. Grew up on Long Island, myself. My mother was born in Hicksville, I was born in Shirley had an aunt in Farmingdale and I grew up in Woodbury. Small world!

[coldvoid]

Oh for fuck's sake, this series has way too little views! EPIC job, Troy! You = the man! :)

[stefanjackson]

From the guitar playing/ tips, to the way the videos are put together, the structuring of the information... Everything about Cracking the code is 100% on the money. In my opinion there are no better videos for a guitarist to watch and even if there were, these would still not lose any value or substance. Thank you for sharing

[Dungeon]

As a writer, the moment when you mentioned your secret weapon was so good. It all came together. Every example and experience collided in perfect realization. Outstandingly well done.

I've enjoyed your playing and insights since I saw you on one of those 'Guitars SUCK' videos so many years ago. On Google Video before they bought YouTube. Thanks for sharing your life's passion with us.

[paulandlesson]

Charismatic, intelligent, fantastic use of video Aside from all of that the wealth of knowledge in these videos is something that is invaluable to guitarists.  The allotted number of characters are too few to express how impressive this is.

[garygrinkevich]

These are really good, like watching a retrospective on my own technical journey. Amazing.

[Yamagatabr]

YOU OWNED THE INTERNET!

Is probably the most true to the heart video I've seen this year!

Really Well done, from ALL points of view!

[myrenschwartz]

Man, have you been secretly videotaping my life since I was 16? LOL

[vicmillan]

Why isn't your channel way more popular? so much quality, effort, entertainment and teaching. I love your videos.