Chordplay - Eddie Van Halen's Sus Chord Magic
Here's the next episode of Chordplay with 'Eddie Van Halen's Sus Chord Magic.' This lesson's the continuation of the recent 'Finding Sus Chord' Chordplay episode and focuses on the late-great Edward Van Halen's approach to using these useful and popular suspended chords on the guitar, so buckle up - this is going to be fun!
While there's plenty of sus chord activity in Van Halen's music, I chose to stick with some of the lesser-known and commonly overlooked cuts in the classic Roth-era for this episode, so we're tapping into some new ground and digging deeper into Eddie's bag of tricks and wealth of music.
The ideas shared in this lesson center around Eddie's application of sus chords in songs such as 'Secrets,' Girl Gone Bad,' In A Simple Rhyme,' Little Guitars,' and more! So while you may be familiar with sus chords and know a few ways of getting these sounds on the guitar, it's always a good idea to tackle some new moves and ideas from a master like EVH, and his mastery of using sus chords along with other chord varieties is evident in this lesson.
Give this episode a view, leave some comments/feedback, and please subscribe to Late Night Lessons - THANK YOU!
~ Rest in peace Edward Van Halen ~
Пікірлер: 241
Little Guitars is my favourite Van Halen song, it’s so badass yet so romantic
@jeffreywarner6931
Жыл бұрын
One of mine as well
Man... Eddie was a phenomenal riff writer.
@fivestring65ify
3 жыл бұрын
The rhythm riffs were my favorite
@bradford_shaun_murray
2 жыл бұрын
Eddie was nuts. Hot and heavy!
I always felt like Eddie would always be around.... I watched his rise when I was in SoCal back in the day... RIP Eddie, ROCK Heaven!!!
Eddie was our Mozart
@martinlahaie6012
3 жыл бұрын
A guitar legend and an icon for sure...don't push it with the Mozart comparaison..
@FantasyFilms100
3 жыл бұрын
Facts 🙌
@calebproductions5970
3 жыл бұрын
Yngwie is our paganini.
@erix777
3 жыл бұрын
He really was a natural, just effortless brilliancy from the start.
@paulolsen6870
3 жыл бұрын
Paganini...composer and savant musician. ✌
I actually prefer the not as popular songs, In a simple Rhyme, Little Guitars, House of Pain, Secrets, So this is Love, Girl gone Bad, etc. Great lesson on these classics. I miss him 😢
@AD-ui2pz
3 жыл бұрын
House of Pain is such a great guitar tune, Eddie just goes off and its almost an instrumental when the guitar solo extended part and outro take over, Little Guitars is a masterpiece, when Ed played that live in 2015 tour and I was 5th row at the Camden NJ Amphitheater I had tears of joy, filmed the intro really well and who knew that would be the last of every tour I ever saw from 1984- on, it felt special that night with them playing so much of the old catalogue and even Dirty Movies- what a send off to all time fans! I alternate from smiling listening to Ed's playing to wanting to cry half the time too- too young for the master to be gone at 65
@VangeliRock
3 жыл бұрын
@@AD-ui2pz I was gonna make the same point. House of Pain is incredible song and guitar work.
@stephenpemberton85
Жыл бұрын
Same here ✌️💛🤘
Dear David It is so beautiful the way you teach all this magic. Your love, respect and enthusiasm for all these great guitar players. Every young (or old) guitar player can benefit so much from your teachings and understanding on this beautiful music. Thanks🙏
When EVH passed, it was akin to a parent dying to me...it was crushing. the memory of why MOST of us started playing begins with him... maybe it's time for a new series.. The EVH chronicles... album by album, song by song...as a tribute of course... to all things Eddie.. enjoyed the lesson as usual!! peace brother!
That was a cool video. I liked Spanish Fly on the acoustic. Eddie was such a musical genius!
"Girl gone bad" I call those "stack 5's". King Diamond uses those sometimes in their songs. Eddie was such an innovative guitarist. He definitely put the lead guitar back on the map!
@damonstewart70
3 жыл бұрын
What are stacked fives
@islander4986
3 жыл бұрын
@@damonstewart70 Chord with a root-fifth and another fifth (based off the fifth) above it?
@damonstewart70
3 жыл бұрын
@@islander4986 thanks
@islander4986
3 жыл бұрын
@@damonstewart70 I think Henry was referring to David's "Creed" chords in "Girl Gone Bad." Shapes like this: Gsus2: 357XXX, or a Csus2: X357XX-which contains the same notes as in a Csus2 played like this: X35533 but without the octaves of the root and fifth: X35X3X. Unless you've got pretty big hands/long fingers it would be hard shape of chord to grip/play on adjacent strings with the root (lowest note) on the D or G string unless you're way up the neck because you'd be making quite a stretch: XX358X, XXX368.
@ravingiron9356
Жыл бұрын
Thought they were 'add9' s
I Been Digging Wolfgang's Tunes with Mammoth. Distance. Epiphany. He's Not Eddie But His Singing & Those Videos Brought More than One Tear to My Eyes.
We miss EVH. Thanks for keeping his legacy going with your videos.
That PRS is something else. Sounds good n crunchy. 👍
We're all still feeling this a little bit. :) I wasn't so sad when he died because I knew he was sick for a while, and in pain. But I watched an interview with Alex Skolnick... he was asked how it affected him, and he said "What can you say about someone who changed the course of your life?" and he got choked up. And so did I. That is the simple fact, Eddie inspired a lot of players in so many ways. Playing wise, gear wise, DIY wise. These lessons are great, they are broken down very well and it's by someone who might say "Eddie changed my life". I really enjoy these and it just makes me appreciate Eddie all over again. What in incredible, inventive, INTERESTING player he was. Thanks.
@stringbender11672
2 жыл бұрын
Amen to that, Rob! 🎸👑🏁
I think every song Ed ever created was a guitar lesson in the making. Pure genius even on the lesser known songs.
Well done sir! In a Simple Rhyme...what the sus?!? Always appreciated.
Thanks for showing us the lesser known VH rhythms 😎
The intro to Little Guitars is one of my all time favourite EVH guitar parts. It's a total master class.
Thanks so much for sharing, Dave!! The sus stuff has built on my exploring of triads!......
You've gone about this lesson in exactly the right way. You learn by encountering what you don't know, so in bypassing the overused songs you made a unique experience... thanks!
Unbelievable episode thank you!
my favorite chords from my favorite guitar player teached by guitar teacher - what a combination !
Brilliant lesson maestro 🤘
Gave it a 👍's up and haven't even watched the lesson yet. I knew You would kill it.
The noel monk book is awesome..unfortunately it shows the dark side the band where sliding into..I think the only one to come out of that era with his head held high was Michael Anthony ..poor guy was shit on and yet he still stayed loyal and never once bad mouthed the band..respect mikey.
@bobbyparks801
3 жыл бұрын
When they cut him out of royalties and made it retroactive right before 1984,he had to pay Back $$.He should have stood up and said "without my vocals VH would not be VH!". Sad, I'm sure Sammy more that makes it up paying Mikey from the Tequila $$.
@fivestring65ify
3 жыл бұрын
Mike was the glue that held van halen together.
Thanks so much! We can't get enough EVH lessons/appreciation... even before he passed, and sure as hell now
Fantastic lesson man 🤘🎸
Damn. That was epic. And that was a deep dive. I love all those songs and thank you for high lighting them. EVH was the greatest rhythm player in my opinion and it’s for these moments. Thanks so much for doing this, perfect tribute.
Best video yet! This is another glimpse into the mastery of EVH. The dude had so many tools we just take for granted. Thanks Dave! Nice work.
Wow! Great Lesson. Secrets is my favorite Van Halen song, but it has always baffled me on how to play it. Thank you.😊
Bravo 👏 David excellent work and song choice great examples of his use of the sus cords it still leaves a lump in my stomach every time I think about him and the fact that he is no longer with us but you are so right his legend lives on with his music R.I.P King Edward
Great lesson. Eddie will always be #1 to me.
@bradford_shaun_murray
2 жыл бұрын
hot and strong
I remember after the debut VH album, anxiously awaiting for the next album (and every album after). I used to record EVH guitar parts on a tape recorder and purposely use worn batteries to slow it down enough to try to glean what was going on. I took lessons for a while and always devoted part of the lesson to learning a EVH riff. And even now I thoroughly enjoy sitting down to a late night lesson with David Brewster, especially when the lesson features EVH! Thanks for what you do, David! I truly appreciate it.
Thanks for that David. You're right, Eddie's passing is still hard to take all these months on. Great spot on the hammered on G to make D Sus 4 at the end of In A Simple Rhyme, only Ed nuts and guitar nerds like us and others who have commented would spot that 😂👍🤘
perfect balance of tech & passion in your lessons- thanks a million!
Great going back and deep into the catalog of their music
Common sus chord misconceptions are sometimes just kinda like miscommunication . Sus 2 , sus 4 , 11teen chords . From my experience at least in jazz , r/b , etc. Totally enjoy your channel and content . Rip Eddie 🙇🏻♂️🎸🙏❤💯
You are truly "at one with the cause"..."a defender of the faith" Thanks for Championing Rockdem ...\m/!!!
Ed was a pioneer. Edward cut the cloth the rest of us just wear it. Brilliant rhythm, blistering lead. Daddy and I loved Eddie. 🇮🇳🙏❤️
thanks for pulling off the layers...we all can agree..Eddie's playing had a method to the madness... he was so ahead of everything electric guitar..
Thank you , Eddy the king 👍🎸
Dude you are one of the best teachers on YT! Your instructions are spot on! Eddie would either be pissed, or pleased that your getting his technical secrets correct ! Bravo sir!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻
You're awesome Dude! Thanks! Miss you Eddie,
It's great that you have few episodes of EVH. The guy, not only in his leads, has his own voices in all aspects of his playing. Hard to believe he did most of these works only in his 20s and 30s!
Secrets and Simple Rhyme are my two favorite VH songs. Thanks man! You have good taste. Haha
Eddie’s rhythm playing was so heavy and funky at the same time.
You are an absolute joy to watch!
David you brought back a lot of memories with this episode. It was hard to listen to VH for a while, but the way you play Ed's songs brings back the old goosebumps. You are Brilliant my friend!
great tasty stuff here and the music of my childhood, I listened to the Diver Down LP so many times with headphones and other VH records as a kid before I started guitar lessons after seeing VH 1984 live in Philly at the Spectrum as a 13 year old, I already had a musical background playing trumpet for 6 years or so prior, my older brother took me to that concert, VH was always on in our house from the beginning in 78, In A Simple Rhyme is such a beautiful guitar part and then the hidden track that sounds like an army marching through- they've played growth on stage live a few times in one of their last tours for the fans- cool moment- Thanks for the teacher's musical approach to this lesson- really well done
Awesome EVH lesson, Dave. Often imitated, but never duplicated, Eddie will live on through his music legacy. He gave us all something to aim for.
Nice ! Love the deep cuts ..
I've heard a lot of people try to play and sound like the big "E" but I can always hear a large difference as I guess we always will since we are not him lol. But I must say that this man has a very excellent touch and sound that comes close to the sound and touch of the Master. Great lesson too, Thank you sir!
Thanks David, that was awesome! Those are some of my absolute favorite VH tunes!!
Just watched this and it's instantly one of my all time favorite episodes you've done on Edward's amazing musical expression. All the songs you displayed are some of my all time VH favorites...thank you Dave for this!!
disappointed that I can't give more than one thumbs up....very nive job David....as always.
Great video , sir !! Well done !! R.I.P. EDDIE VAN HALEN !!!
Awesome video. Actually explains the significance of eddies playing other than “he does tapping” and “he uses a Floyd rose”. 🤘🏼
Cool vid. Thanks for showing me I was playing SECRETS wrong! 😊 As for GROWTH, I remember reading an old EVH interview where he said the idea was to fade in the beginning of Fair Warning with the continuation of Growth but they decided on Mean Street instead.
Well done Dave. As always your efforts are much appreciated.
David, thanks for all your work. You’re one of the best teachers out there. I truly hope your channel grows. You deserve it , you can see your love for guitar it transcribes through the videos
Thanks, David! Amazing stuff!
I enjoyed this more than any other lesson. Best to date for me! Thank you for your time and insight.
Eddie was a phenomenal player and his lead playing was legendary....however it was always his rhythm playing and chord work that blew me away.
Stellar lesson as always. This is one of my favorite channels on KZread. Love your content. RIP Eddie.
Excellent, the passionate way in which you reveal the depth of those classics and thereby keep them alive. Or even better, you make those tunes even more immortal than they already are. Thanks. RIP Eddie.
What a modern approach of the rock guitar Ed had.
I love this sus chord lesson. Thank you so much! It's amazing the way that he could put all these sounds together so fluidly. His playing reminds me of summertime, being young. His music is magic. That's the perfect description.
Great video, many thanks. Love the attention to detail with the framed album cover relevant to each song! Good work!
I love your videos. You have some really great insight about Eddie Van Halen's guitar playing. Thank you
Wow … your an amazing player and teacher. Thanks for sharing EVH’s songs . Such talented beautiful music ❤
Like you, I'm sure, I feel fortunate to have lived during the career of EVH. I'm glad his musical energy and influence will be with us forever.
Gotta say man, this is your look. The denim and hat thing is very cool on you. Thanks for all your work that goes into these lessons sir
Awesome playing and explaining, thanks! Really liked how you pointed out the trademark move that came back in Panama. Or developed into that rather. Puts into perspective how even an incredibly talented player like Eddie needed to put a lot of work into learning and practicing. He did. And it showed. Same goes for your videos!
@Gregorypeckory
2 жыл бұрын
Yeah; everyone glorifies natural ability, which Eddie obviously had tons of, but forgets about the 100s of thousands of hours of hard practice to hone it into something to show the world! There's a great saying that "talent is 1% natural ability, and 99% hard work! Obviously that's not a real formula meant literally, but rather a way to dramatize the fact that without a lot of work (with rare exceptions for savants), talent is worthless.
Great video again Dave! Funny you did this video. Earlier today, Ben Lacy and I had an hour conversation on how Diver Down is where Eddie really started showing his composition chops! You and Rick Beato came up in this conversation. We talked about people on KZread doing great VH videos. You and Rick have turned many fans on to our hero EVH. We also talked about the time Dweezil Zappa introduced us to Chick Corea. We haven't recovered from Eddie passing and now Chick. 😪
In addition to those books which are good reads, I would recommend listening to the Steve Rosen interviews from the late 70's early 80's. Thank you for the sus lesson your videos are very informative.
I usually never post, but I wanted you to know you are becoming my fav channel. Keep up the good work. Really really good stuff!
These are a lot of my favorite Van Halen songs! I had no idea that had the sus chords in common essentially
I literally just finished "Van Halen Rising" today and I can't recommend it enough. Such a well researched and well written book. I read "Runnin' With the Devil" last year and it is also great. I'd recommend reading "Van Halen Rising" first and then "Runnin' With the Devil" second as it picks up where "Van Halen Rising" ends, although it's a different type of book. "Van Halen Rising" is very much a historical documentary style book, while "Runnin' With the Devil" is more of an insider's look from a the POV of a personal memoir (their DLR-era manager Noel Monk).
Excellent review of Ed's stuff very nicely done!!!!! He definitely leveraged his fair share of the "sus" mechanism. You highlighted all the cool ones......
Nice touch changing the album art on the wall behind the desk to reflect what album each song came from as you progressed through the vid.
EVH stated that they key to playing guitar is knowing where the harmonics are in every position. They move around when you fret a chord and he had them ALL memorized... I have trouble finding my car keys let alone finding harmonics on the fly... Amazing man he was... "If I can do it, anyone can do it" and he actually believed that!
I appreciate the lesson. I really appreciate your formal Wear for Mr.VH lesson.the Canadian tuxedo is a stylish classic.
Thank's for your excellent run down of Eddie's genius. It shows your deep respect and love for him as for many of us. As part of the mourning process this was a bliss to be taken through, albeit a small part, to keep the memory of his greatness! Your sound, execution and feel is probably the closest to EVH I've seen! Again, big thanks. You're doing important work for more people than you can think of. 😉🙏🎼
The more I learn on how Eddie thought about these lines, the more I see the a connection to Joe Pass. I know I'm weird, but they but used these chords as their color palette and they just painted with music. For me this has been my quest for ages and ages. I cannot thank you enough for all this gold information.
Love these videos man! thank you!
Incredible lesson .. always learning.. and its relaxing tone in your voice
Great lessson, man. as always!
Love your approach. Thanks
Very inspiring lesson. I have to learn some Van Halen now, and add the cherry on top (that little harmonic trick)!
Always a pleasure Dave. Can never get tired of Eddies incredible guitar work period. As you said it's still hard to take in that he is no longer here to bless us with his presence. Tnx for doing the B side tunes . How about tackling the B side of the Fair Warning album. It has some dark n interesting Guitar work on it as well. ROCK ON DAVE! 👊 🎸
Terrific work, thanks!✌️
Not being a great guitar player myself, I really appreciate the knowledge and insight you bring with your videos. I love all the evh stuff you do as I am a massive fan. Thanks for your great work.
Another great lesson as always. Thank You David. Love Eddies playing too. R.I.P. maestro. But although not the same caliber as a lead guitarist, if you're gonna do a special on sus chords, it would be a good idea to do one on (imo at least) rocks king of sus chords: Alex Lifeson.
Great lesson, David! I'll never be over Eddie's passing. I saw Van Halen in October 2015 at the Hollywood Bowl, what ended up as Eddie's last concert, and I didn't know it at the time, but it was to be the best concert I would ever attend.
Sweet!!! This is awesome David thanks again!!!
All I know is if you were a guitarist in the late 70s through the 80s and 90s like I was I’m sure you came up with a riff that you thought was just the coolest. Well Eddie always seemed to have one that was cooler and that’s just the way it was and we’re all grateful for it. Rest in peace Riff Master General. Great videos! Thanks
Another exceptional lesson ... love those b-sides and lesser known songs ... I haven’t heard secrets in years or growth ... Eddie was so into guitar playing as an outlet that his music reflects the dedication and command he had on a guitar ... he came across socially awkward but his guitar playing was a once in a lifetime generational influence on the guitar playing community worldwide ...
@Gregorypeckory
2 жыл бұрын
He seems comfortable and confident in most of the interviews and interactions I've seen. Where's the evidence that he was ever "socially awkward", other than his references to the early childhood days of being in a new country and not speaking a word of the language, and his referring to himself as "the quiet one"? In reality, he quickly overcame the difficulties (which would challenge any kid plucked from all s/he knows, and thrown into a strange culture), and adapted beautifully to his new home. I seriously doubt that a truly "socially awkward" person could have ever developed the unmatched onstage swagger, charisma and flashy athletic stage moves to go with his virtuosity, that seemed to come naturally to Eddie.
great lesson as always learn something new everytime thanks
Thank you. I don't think I have thought about anybody more that has passed apart from my mum that is. I think it is even more apparant now that Edward was larger than life.
Great lesson Dave 👌 you chose some fantastic examples of Ed's use of sus chords, he had such great ideas and melodic sensibility. ✌
Thanks David. Top class channel!