Mastering the Intro to 5150 by Van Halen

🎸The intro to 5150 by Van Halen features a unique chord shape that requires a specific finger placement.

🎵The riff is based on simple chords, mainly D major and A major, with variations and inversions.

⚙️Eddie Van Halen uses a latching technique with his little finger to make smooth transitions between chords.

🔀There is variation and improvisation in Eddie Van Halen's playing, so don't worry about playing every note exactly as written.

🤘Exploring more Van Halen songs from the Hagar era can provide opportunities to learn and appreciate Eddie Van Halen's guitar skills.

Is it necessary to tune down to drop D flat to play the intro to 5150?

—It's recommended to tune down to drop D flat for accuracy, but it's not essential for playing the intro.

Can I use upstrokes instead of downstrokes for the picking?

—On the record, it seems like Eddie Van Halen mostly uses downstrokes, but there is room for variation and individual preference.

Should I play the intro exactly as written?

—It's okay to add your own style and interpretation to the intro, as Eddie Van Halen played it differently in live performances as well.

Can you recommend other Van Halen songs from the Hagar era to learn?

—Some other popular Van Halen songs from the Hagar era to explore are Dreams, Love Walks In, and Right Now.

Where can I find the tab and bonus video for this breakdown?

—You can find the tab and bonus video on Ben Eller's Patreon page at patreon.com/beneller.

00:00Introducing the details of playing the intro to 5150 by Van Halen correctly.

01:23Highlighting the importance of studying the guitar work in the Van Halen Hagar era.

01:44Explaining the tuning required for playing the intro to 5150.

03:45Breaking down the chord shapes and changes in the intro riff.

05:53Demonstrating the latching technique with the little finger for smooth transitions.

08:48Emphasizing the need for creativity and variation in playing the intro.

10:01Expressing appreciation for Van Halen's music and inviting suggestions for future breakdowns.