Joe Satriani is WRONG! THIS is Van Halen MOST DIFFICULT Guitar Riff! 

What's the Van Halen riff that drives you the craziest?! Let me know!🤘🏻👇🏻

It’s the old joke: how many guitarists does it take to change a lightbulb? Just one. The rest stand around saying “yeah, well I could have done it better.”

Joe doesn't sit around playing Van Halen songs everyday, it was an on the spot answer with less than 5 seconds of thought to answer the question.

The scary thing is EVH was a teenager when he came up with this!! Guy was a colossus R.I.P

EVH eye hand and ear coordination was off the charts insane.....he was wired different

Nice job, Danilo. Ben Eller argues that Hang Em High is another riff that is nearly impossible to play because of the swing element on top of the speed.

Edward was definitely one of the “swingingest” rock guitar players EVER in my opinion. Yes, his solos are incredible and incendiary. But it was his rhythm playing, swing and feel that got me hooked back in ‘78!

Your full speed version at the end was pretty damn close

Totally agree with you, the swing of I'm the one is just insane 😅

Great video! I agree with you. The intro to “I’m the One (show your love)” is crazy. I haven’t attempted to learn it since the late 80’s. I think I need to try and learn it again.

Conceptually, the intro to Meanstreet seems among the most inventive licks of all time. Eddie gets credit for a lot of those. When Joe answered this question he was talking to Howard Stern and his audience. Thank you for posting this and reminding me of how great EVH is.

To this day, I still don’t understand how one is supposed to swing at faster tempos.

I’ve always struggled with Hang ‘em High. Eddie’s rhythm was next level!

Excellent video and GREAT playing! I think "ain't talking 'bout love" intro is played with a flanger.😁

They really did capture lightning in a bottle with 'I'm The One' as it's played on the record. I don't think I've ever heard Ed play it quite the same way live, and I've seen all the live footage of the band playing this song...

Watched this video with headphones, and nice touch Danilo putting the guitar in the left channel and the reverb for the guitar in the right channel like Van Halen I album! About Edward's timing, everybody has their own internal rhythmic meter, and most are able to copy it when learning from most of the greats, but Edward's was so unique to him and virtually impossible to nail because of how he felt the beat. No different than someone like Phil Rudd's drumming with AC/DC. No one can pull back on a beat like Rudd. Many try and get close but that beat feel is so unique to Rudd, it's impossible to nail exactly, Like Edward's beat feel.

I absolutely agree,I remember learning it from tab and I thought it would be easy but I was like wtf

So cool you made this video. I’ve seen so many covers that get everything right except the groove, which is essential for this tune. You and Phil X are the best I’ve heard (besides Eddie himself).

The intro to Hang’m High. Same deal with the swing. Impossible

I want to point out one thing about ain’t talkin bout love- when you play the intro, I notice you are kicking in the phaser for the last three notes (c, b, c). Ed actually used a flanger for those three notes. The phaser comes in during the solo.

In my 20’s in the 80’s I could pick up a lot of Van Halen. I’m the one always baffled me, there’s a lot going on and a lot at speed.

I'm defending Joe here. 5am broadcast, no setup or rehearsal, amp settings where they sit. Asked to play something difficult written by someone you spent most of your life listening to under pressure.... Y'all overanalyzing this shit. I bet Eddie would agree.... PLAY LIVE AND LOUD , LAY IT OUT AND AND FIND YOUR OWN SOUND!!! (it will keep you too busy to criticize someone else doing the same!!)

Satch said hard to play..not complicated..The English language is intricate...words matter

Grande! Fin troppo modesto, e la battuta sul "crying" mi ha spezzato. Comunque bel video su due pezzi pazzeschi, e la tua versione di I'm the one è davvero forte!

I like that when you were demonstrating the pedals you panned the guitar mostly to the left just like on the old VH records.

Joe was paying homage to Edward, and has been very clear that he’s not trying to exactly copy him. He has stated several times that he never learned VH because he didn’t want to sound like him. Regardless he’s more than capable of playing anything and the world will see

I love the way you look at things. Humility. We try our best to emulate our heroes, but respect that they cannot be duplicated. Ed had something special that can't be replicated; it was creative genius and FEEL.. RIP.

Wow you're amazing. Brings back so many memories. Eddie is the reason I became a musician. Long live the king.

Don’t forget Eddies gear too! His amps, pedals and guitars the way his guitar was tuned and his epic playing style.

What a video!! Amazing!! I would add that if Eddie's feel is what defines his difficulty then it is present is SO many songs from Hot For Teacher to Beautiful Girls. It's the equivalent of the Pagey swagger.

Really u nailed it, Man...

I completely agree with your opinion. Been practicing “I’m the one” for about 3yrs now and I’m in the same boat as you speed wise.

The-Art-Of-Guitar made a video not too long ago of how he learned to play the riff Joe referenced (Possibly right around when you dropped this video). P.S. Your compilation of playing various EVH riffs was downright amazing and inspiring

I knew before I started this video you were gonna say the actual hardest was I'm The One. I've heard about how infamously difficult it is to get just right.

Just when I think I have the swing nailed, I listen to the album and cry.

Crikey, I would bet that must of us here could forego the ultra slow demonstrations. Very, very good by the way.

HE WAS ASKED ON THE SPOT ON LIVE RADIO. LOL Put yourself in his shoes. HAHAHAHA

Dude, I finally saw this to watch --- as a HUGE VH fan since the beginning and definitely without a doubt, my favorite band of all time. Huge props to you that sounded freaking awesome. I have heard other people TRY to play those riffs and absolutely shit the bed. Hats off to you Sir!!!!

The 5150 over drive was the best investment I have ever made. Sold like 3 other pedals because I will never use them again and now my rig is just running that, the phase 90, Mxr zakk wylde chorus.

100% correct my friend. And Phil X is one of my favorite Guitarists also. Excellent Job 🎉

I think to many musicians rely on "schooling". Remember, Eddie taught himself. His natural talent and curiosity created his sound. I think too many musicians rely on what they're being taught. He didn't do that at all. He hears something or thinks of something and thought, "I'm going to make that sound happen", then figured out a way to do it. He ignored limitations thru teaching, and embraced imagination and experimentation. Again, his natural talent helped in every aspect of his journey.

You play great! I was not expectiing that at all 😃

Think that Tosin thumb picking technique is more difficult, but at that time it was a riff from another planet...still today.

Just found you, Danilo, and I'm hooked! Great job!

Yes, obviously I'm The One and Hang em High because of the swing and the speed...AND the "Eddie factor"... I've always had a hard time with Beautiful Girls. It's a slower swing but still has that Eddie factor that's tough to mail. It's an internal thing, hard to duplicate. He's definitely the kind of swing.

Nice to finally see someone play Ain't Talkin' about Love correctly. ETA: 'I'm the One' is possibly his most badass tune ever, and it just doesn't get the recognition it should.

I gotta say I’m rarely impressed by EVH fan videos, but this shit was on point. If Satriani’s head falls off, Sammy should give you a call. And your rendition of “I’m the One” was stage worthy.

Beautiful groove you had on the first song. You had my head boucing 👍 Honestly i'm not even trying the VH stuffs cause i'm lazy af. I wouldn't even try to emulate him, it's such an instinct player with a f....in' groove.

Damn bro. You've practiced and are very impressive in your accuracy. Bravo!

nice stuff! love the breakdown from a talented guitarist.....

Wow man !!!! You are good.... don't worry speed comes with practicing over and over and over and over and over and over and over again....cheers man!!!

Wow the only time I have ever heard the cadance actually done properly superb 👍👍

Nice post Danilo and term swing is a good explanation. I wonder also if it had something to do with the way Ed held his pick too which always struck me as a bit different. My vote goes to Hang 'Em High too for the same reason.

I’ve heard guitarists say that I’m the One is the hardest to play right because of the swing element involved.

Great video. I feel like people don't highlight the importance of the swing feel to Van Halen's music enough.

Can you tell me your entire gear setup of what you're using to get that VH sound? It sounds really good. I've bought so much stuff over the years and i can't get that close to it. I'm not nearly as good of a guitar player as you but i still love playing and learning VH songs. That would make a great video.

Pretty damn good on The One your swing was very good ! Keep working on the fluid picking hand movement .

There is a full isolated guitar track on yt of 'im the one'. Its scary. Sometimes when im feeling brave i try to keep up with it, but fail every time.🥴

Yeah, I can hear what you mean. You have a little more "space" in your "swing/Shuffle" compared to Eddie. His Swing is a bit tighter with not as much space. This is just how diffrent people express the swing. Thats why no drummer swings exactly the same to the pocket.

I think the main reason most struggle with the main riff of this song is just down to having limited experience with swing rhythms. Ed and Al grew up on a lot of jazz and music that's swung, and inherited it in their music. It is quite unusual for a hard rock band to "swing". Today, most young guitarists starting out on the instrument, that want to play hard rock and heavy metal, will mostly learn songs with fairly "straight" rhythms... because that's most of classic rock and heavy metal. They don't encounter many songs with swing rhythms, because it's not common for these genres... so when they go to learn a song like 'I'm The One' they make it sound like a typical metal riff! They then quickly give up, claiming it's "impossible to swing like Ed" which I think is a bit silly. It's not that they can't do it, it's more down to their limited experience with "swung" rhythms. All you have to do is want it... time and patience will get you the rest of the way there...

Superb video Danilo ! Great playing and a fantastic analysis.

Fantastic sound you have there. Just to be super picky, there is noticeably more chorus wash effect on the right than the left channel. But thanks for an interesting and cool video. Great playing too!!

Complimenti Danilo, non è facile fare un video non scontato sul Re🤟🏼 e complimenti anche x come suoni! Per me il livello di Van Halen è quasi tutto assai difficile ma che ne pensi dello "swing" o groove di Hang'em High?! Ciao, Marco

The harmonic tapping is insane! However, the shuffle on I'm The One is insane beast mode!!!

Well, c’mon dude…the clip you should of Sammy, Joe, Michael, and Jason being on the Howard Stern show was when Joe has only been learning Ed’s song for about a week at that time. Give him a break. Joe’s one of the most influential guitarist f his time…and really my time still. Amazing talent there! There’s no telling if you actually had learned these tunes already btw.

HOLY SHNIKEYS!!! Okay, so maybe you are doing it wrong, but I'd be pretty happy if I could do it wrong like you are doing it wrong! GLORIOUS!!!

Damn, youve inspired me to play more often lol great playing!

Joe (Satch) is a humble guy and is being super respectful of Eddie, props to him. My Mount Rushmore of the Greatest I have ever heard: Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eddie Van Halen and Joe Satriani. I think there is a famous saying: "Innovate dont Immitate." I believe that was part of Eddies frustraion in the early days, as many cats were copying his style and not neccesarily adding to the pot.

from what i understand, joe was called early in the morning by sammy to do the radio show. Joe was still working on Eddies songs and was completely taken by surprise. I don't know what point you are trying to make here. Joe was still trying to figure all these parts out and being honest about them being different from his style. Seems to me you have studied these songs for a very long time and are trying to put Joe down. It don't work.

Jacob Deraps is, by far, the greatest Van Halen cover guitarist in the world, hands down. And, it’s not even close, or debatable bro. If you have never heard of him, you need to buckle up ok.Prepare ourself bro. After watching and listening to just one, of his Van Halen covers. It will leave you feeling completely different, about all of your your own Van Halen covers. Which, by the way, are absolutely amazing bro !! You cracked my top 3 greatest Van Halen cover guitarists in the entire world with this video post bro !! Jacob, is all alone at the very top of this list, and everyone else, is way, way, back, behind him. He plays all his covers using Guitar Hero s Van Halen backing tracks. Which are all original recordings from the albums, we all know. These backing tracks have everything, except guitar. All of Eddie’s guitar work has been pulled out and completely removed from every song. I swear to you, even though this sounds, completely ridiculous, but, if you close your eyes and just listen to him, you would swear it’s Eddie !!! I’ve proven this by playing his covers for friends without telling anyone, that these are all covers from Jacobs U Tube page, and not original recordings. His covers have fooled every single person I have ever played them for, without even one exception. They are all flawless, and jaw dropping. They are also a complete treasure trove for guys like you and me who love to play and learn Van Halen songs. Every single video is shot so you can clearly see every single thing Jacob is doing with his hands, at all times. They are all a must watch for anyone seeking to play Van Halen songs as accurately as possible. Every song, every single trick and nuance is played perfectly throughout every single video. He has improved my playing by leaps and bounds, because he shows you absolutely everything he is doing, clearly. For you, these lessons are absolutely priceless bro. You can slow it all way down and learn anything you want note for note. Every trick, and every nuance, is made available to you clearly. Bro, your Van Halen covers are all incrediblely good already my man. But, if your at all interested in improving your Van Halen covers, makeing them sound even more accurate, and taking them up a notch. Jacobs covers are a major game changer bro. His videos will change the way you play every single Van Halen song that you know. These videos will take your covers to a whole different level my man. Your going to be completely blown away, within 30 seconds of listening to the first 30 seconds of his first cover. Jacob Deraps U Tube channel 👍

excellent job Danilo congratulations !!

Little Guitars (Pt.2) is the hardest. As you hold the pick normally you have use your middle,ring & pinky to arpeggios the chord shapes.

Great video Danilo, i have just started to learn some of eddys masterpieces on my Wolfgang custom guitar , i see the pedals that you recommend but which amp are you using and if you can elaborate on a few setting , thank you for these videos and breaking down these incredible masterpieces

It takes a one-of-a-kind human being to come up with this kind of stuff. EVH forever.

Just awesome great playing, I might have to buy that 5150 overdrive sounds great. Hey question for a home amp what do you think about the Vox VT20X Combo? or do you prefer something else? Thanks;)

One thing that allows him to play that riff with that feel is the way he holds his pick, he hold it with his middle finger and the way he anchors his hand, allows him to execute that triplet feel with the swaug 8th note

My very first concert was Van Halen - Fair Warning Tour. 1981 with DLR and EVH. It was absolutely spectacular!! I can understand your feelings on these two songs, and IMO the "feeling" along with incredible playing was what made Eddie so phenomenal. I think you did a great job! 6 weeks after VH in 1981, I saw Ozzy with Randy Rhoads, another phenom. I've been very blessed to have seen over 400 bands, and I appreciate your love for the music. It's been a passion of mine for over 40 years.

I think EVH is the only rock guitarist who could release an album of guitar riffs and isolated guitar tracks only and the album go number one. The guy was a certified axe-monster!

Great job! You played it really well. Another one that has swing that a lot of players don't realize is Hang 'em High from Diver Down. It sounds like straight time but it's not. Ben Eller did a great video on it. Swing at warp speed... only Eddie could really do it like that.

I've had the original MXR 90 Phase Shifter ever since the 70's. It's fantatic. I had it tuned up once and the tech said, "well I'll be keeping that one" (!) Sorry pal. They switched the original orange for black so you have a choice. I'll take the original, thanks.

Good job!!! Me gustó el sonido que obtuviste con los pedales. Saludos desde la ciudad de México 😎👍

Its not abouf difficulty, its about conceptualising ,and creating riffs like "Mean Streets." EVHs genius is in creating the music that he did.

2:11 you should have expected them to sound so good since Eddie didn't put his name on anything that he didn't personally test and approve of.

GREAT!!! Really awesome!! Difficult but you got it! Wauw. There is another guy to check: Deraps. He is a VH master also. Have a good one. a VH fan, for life and beyond.. 🇳🇱

It should be a rule for all guitarists to listen to the isolated track of I'm the one if they make excuses and think about punching in the lines to compensate for mistakes. It's one take and he is playing this crazy impossible rhythm with fills and two technical solos that move all over the fretboard and there are almost no mistakes or string noise.

'hang em high' is way harder than both of those to play precisely like EVH 😎

I never had a hard time learning "Im the one." I got it right away I guess the swing has to be in you. 5150 I had to practice for days just to get it right just once.

Not him using phase for the flange part of ain't talkin' 'bout love

I'm not a guitar player but I enjoyed this video and I love EVH and Van Halen! Thoroughly enjoyed this sounded a lot like the original!❤

The Pedals sound Fantastic!!! Both songs are monsters created by the best Guitarist Ever. RIP Eddie Van Halen

Bel video. Peccato che manchino i sottotitoli in ita. Hai fatto un lavorone....come sempre. Bravo

Joe Satriani teached Steve Vai how to play guitar, Joe Satriani taught Kirk Hammet as well

Good enough for me Brother!!! Sounds Great!!!

These YT how to vids can show a guitarist in excruciatingly step by step detail how to recreate a 40+ year old riff with amazing accuracy,, BUT. One thing left out is the MAGIC that EVH had that sound in his head. He then pulled it out of his consciousness and made it happen through his fingers. That to me cannot be taught and is the truly "difficult" riff to pull off. The one not written or transposed but comes from within.

As much as I would like to agree I cannot. Eds toughest song is without a doubt Hang Em High. He throws the Kitchen sink at that song. It showcases every technique he ever pioneered in one song. Listen and you will see. And the swing? Off the charts.

I don’t play guitar. But I was in high school when Van Halen came on the scene. How he had so much fill in his rhythm I never understood. But it sounded awesome. It was like to opposing forces dancing with each other. Oh no Sammy. David was the better singer for that style of play.

Honestly I feel like when the drums finally came in you actually played it spot on. It’s not an easy riff to start off on without any other instruments to give you guidance as the how the cadence of the strumming pattern should be.

There is always someone ready to make a critic...

Exactly, you said it all my man, right in the beginning "in my opinion", that's all.

Sei bravissimo e anche simpatico. Ottimo lavoro. Saluti da Las Vegas.