I think it starts at the elbow, where the brachiaradialis muscle attaches to your radius bone not your ulna, I think the swinging motion that happens from there down though your arm gives your wrist momentum to do the fast picking. I think it probably can be developed it one knew the mechanics, but Eddie Van Halen had it naturally, and me a little bit.
It matters because he is Eddie Van Halen, not Angus Young. Edward kind of painted hisself in a corner with the "Van Halen" style. If he can't play it like he wrote it then he needs to change the name of Van Halen to something else.
Hmmm, that seems like you expect him to not be human. He must have REALLY been your idol and he disappoints you now. So you expected the 25 year old EVH to write stuff his 50 year old future self MUST play in spite of aging, having illnesses? Thats a bit harsh...
Geez - What a ridiculous statement you just made. Think about it - he isn't the same - he's aged beyond his years from alcohol and other stuff. Look at his face. EVH came out, changed the guitar game, inspired millions over a long career, all along struggling to stay sober and you want to take his name away? My gawd it is a wonder he can play as good as he does. Give him some credit - he paved the road and what does he get? Complaints about how he plays? Thank him if anything. For real?
Richie Sambora, Neil Schon, George Lynch, Zakk Wylde, Brian May, Eric Clapton, Stevie Vai, Dweezil Zappa, Frank Zappa up until the time of his death, Joe Satriani, Phil Collen, Mick Mars, Tony Iommi, K.K. Downing, Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, and Joe Perry just to name a few.
Ed still picks with his wrist bent. Watch some of the latest videos of him playing Hot For Teacher. He picks the intro to the solo with his wrists out. I just don't think he can keep it up for that long, because he doesn't do it when he plays eruption.
didnt mean it like friend you look like him tho in the face, i aint one to talk Im over 225 lol but thats what you reminded me of doug lol was that carrie in the background ;-)
A better answer would have been. I don't know about Eddie but based on my experience when I can't do it right it seems like my fast twitch muscles feel more jittery or nervous and when they are very relaxed I can fly. I have noticed the same thing that you have though and asked myself the same question. Speed picking with your arm uses more energy then with your wrist. I bet if you looked for a video of the recent tours you would find one where he tremelo picks with ease.
I can answer that question. I can pick like that and most of the time it works like a charm but every once in a while it's hard to keep it going. Like if you just ran a weed wacker in your yard that day forget it. Or if your a little nervous that will do it. Or if your pick has pick slide marks in it makes it harder. I thought about it for years how he did that then the light bulb came on so to speak. Keep it a secret though let people figure it out on there own. An adult beverage helps too.
I remember there was an arcade game in the early 80's called "track and field". When you were running against the cpu, there were two buttons about 5 inces apart that you alternately tapped with your index fingers to run faster.Well, we all sucked at it until one day, an older guy came in and was using his right hand only.like.hitting one with his thumb and the other with his ring finger.like a butterfly flapping its wings.Needless to say he rapped the game. From then on we used that technique
So when I got into guitar and saw Eddie doing that fast picking....i thought...Wow his hand looks like a butterfly....that's when it hit me and I remembered that game and the technique.....I immediately was able to use the technique on guitar....just had to work on accuracy and articulation...Try practicing on a flat surface like the guy did on that game....it actually works....just try not to annoy anyone....lol....good luck!
Yea he has slowed a tad but the Man still can write the tunes and that my friends is what truly sells!!! Lets wait and judge when the next Vh album is released! Im sure he has more trix up the sleeve!
Most people don't realize that he has broken both of his wrists in his life. Once in 82 and once in 89. So, the man is lucky that he can even play at all! At his age the years of abuse on many levels will catch up!
i agree and the man changed guitar sound and playing as we know it! there hasnt been anyone whom has been that big of an influence. van halen is a house hold name all over the world.its a shame he has abused himself he might have kept his playing at a younger level a few more years.
Just heard the clips of the whole new album and He sounds better than ever!
mapleblackdrums 1 month ago
sorry i filmed this with papern
1pick2sticks 6 months ago
read the book or the exerpts in rolling stone mag that sammy hagar wrote, it will amaze you how fucked up eddie is.
RJiminez51 11 months ago
Dude how do u pick that fast like evh do u use ur wrist? Forearm? I'm trying to practice it and I can't seem to get it down
EliCurrent 1 year ago
@EliCurrent
I think it starts at the elbow, where the brachiaradialis muscle attaches to your radius bone not your ulna, I think the swinging motion that happens from there down though your arm gives your wrist momentum to do the fast picking. I think it probably can be developed it one knew the mechanics, but Eddie Van Halen had it naturally, and me a little bit.
1pick2sticks 1 year ago
@1pick2sticks im starting to get it, just not as fast
EliCurrent 1 year ago
A close source to Van Halen said that the new album is expected around the first of spring 2010.
MeanStreet1981 2 years ago
He's old, things wear out... Why does it matter?
Voodutube 2 years ago
It matters because he is Eddie Van Halen, not Angus Young. Edward kind of painted hisself in a corner with the "Van Halen" style. If he can't play it like he wrote it then he needs to change the name of Van Halen to something else.
1pick2sticks 2 years ago
Hmmm, that seems like you expect him to not be human. He must have REALLY been your idol and he disappoints you now. So you expected the 25 year old EVH to write stuff his 50 year old future self MUST play in spite of aging, having illnesses? Thats a bit harsh...
Voodutube 2 years ago
Name another guitarist that can't play what they wrote in 70's and 80's that is still playing in thier 50's.
1pick2sticks 2 years ago
Geez - What a ridiculous statement you just made. Think about it - he isn't the same - he's aged beyond his years from alcohol and other stuff. Look at his face. EVH came out, changed the guitar game, inspired millions over a long career, all along struggling to stay sober and you want to take his name away? My gawd it is a wonder he can play as good as he does. Give him some credit - he paved the road and what does he get? Complaints about how he plays? Thank him if anything. For real?
Voodutube 2 years ago
Richie Sambora, Neil Schon, George Lynch, Zakk Wylde, Brian May, Eric Clapton, Stevie Vai, Dweezil Zappa, Frank Zappa up until the time of his death, Joe Satriani, Phil Collen, Mick Mars, Tony Iommi, K.K. Downing, Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, and Joe Perry just to name a few.
MeanStreet1981 2 years ago
Yes, they all CAN play their stuff, I said Can't play. All these men further my point.
1pick2sticks 2 years ago
@1pick2sticks
"hisself"?
gmrios 1 year ago
Nice to see Eddie got his hand operated on. Get well, and shred.
1pick2sticks 2 years ago
yea, he has artheritus. ive seen several articles about it.
drew307 2 years ago
Ed still picks with his wrist bent. Watch some of the latest videos of him playing Hot For Teacher. He picks the intro to the solo with his wrists out. I just don't think he can keep it up for that long, because he doesn't do it when he plays eruption.
xbox743 2 years ago
Damn Its Doug Heffern from king of queens ;-)
MusiciansQuarters 2 years ago
Nice One! I do need to lose some weight. I weigh 280, I should be about 210.
1pick2sticks 2 years ago
didnt mean it like friend you look like him tho in the face, i aint one to talk Im over 225 lol but thats what you reminded me of doug lol was that carrie in the background ;-)
MusiciansQuarters 2 years ago
He always picked with his wrist bent, but he stopped cuz he has severe carpentunnel and arthritis.
rrhoads17 2 years ago
A better answer would have been. I don't know about Eddie but based on my experience when I can't do it right it seems like my fast twitch muscles feel more jittery or nervous and when they are very relaxed I can fly. I have noticed the same thing that you have though and asked myself the same question. Speed picking with your arm uses more energy then with your wrist. I bet if you looked for a video of the recent tours you would find one where he tremelo picks with ease.
ycuy 2 years ago
I can answer that question. I can pick like that and most of the time it works like a charm but every once in a while it's hard to keep it going. Like if you just ran a weed wacker in your yard that day forget it. Or if your a little nervous that will do it. Or if your pick has pick slide marks in it makes it harder. I thought about it for years how he did that then the light bulb came on so to speak. Keep it a secret though let people figure it out on there own. An adult beverage helps too.
ycuy 2 years ago
HE HAS TENDON ISSUES NOW
bigdawg030 2 years ago
I remember there was an arcade game in the early 80's called "track and field". When you were running against the cpu, there were two buttons about 5 inces apart that you alternately tapped with your index fingers to run faster.Well, we all sucked at it until one day, an older guy came in and was using his right hand only.like.hitting one with his thumb and the other with his ring finger.like a butterfly flapping its wings.Needless to say he rapped the game. From then on we used that technique
stripes5150 3 years ago
So when I got into guitar and saw Eddie doing that fast picking....i thought...Wow his hand looks like a butterfly....that's when it hit me and I remembered that game and the technique.....I immediately was able to use the technique on guitar....just had to work on accuracy and articulation...Try practicing on a flat surface like the guy did on that game....it actually works....just try not to annoy anyone....lol....good luck!
stripes5150 3 years ago
Yea he has slowed a tad but the Man still can write the tunes and that my friends is what truly sells!!! Lets wait and judge when the next Vh album is released! Im sure he has more trix up the sleeve!
MusiciansQuarters 3 years ago
Most people don't realize that he has broken both of his wrists in his life. Once in 82 and once in 89. So, the man is lucky that he can even play at all! At his age the years of abuse on many levels will catch up!
123jozef 3 years ago
i agree and the man changed guitar sound and playing as we know it! there hasnt been anyone whom has been that big of an influence. van halen is a house hold name all over the world.its a shame he has abused himself he might have kept his playing at a younger level a few more years.
jittboy1 3 years ago
Yeah, I didn't know he broke his wrists, I thought I knew a lot about him. hmm. Is that in a book somewhere?
1pick2sticks 3 years ago
wish i had that flare... i can only get it for a couple of seconds but after that my forearm gets screwed up:(
thrasher025 3 years ago
he did do that, atleast he did that for the Seattle Eruption dec. 03 2007
BallBuster5150 3 years ago
Yea hes 50 years old, years of drinking and drugs probably havent helped either. I bet you he doesnt work on his technique much these days.
duff81 3 years ago
ya, u make a good point there. probaly arthritis,has made him pla
fender51503 3 years ago
play that way
fender51503 3 years ago