An EVH picking exercise for you.

[TheMadNote]

I don't know how to do tab but I wanted to share this bit from the Beat It solo where Ed uses the massive reach from the 12 fret to the 19th. Once you get the picking part under your fingers then practice accenting the note on the 17th fret B string.

B string 12-15-19
E 12-19-15-12
B 19
E 12
B 19-15-12-15-17-19-15-12-15-17-19-15-12

accent the note on the 17th fret on the B
This exercise helps much with picking and finger strength. He sets up a certain rhythm with the notes then puts an extra note in the sequence which makes it magical. Warm up first because that stretch is a bugger as many of you know.
Hope this helps someone out there.

[The Ulnarian]

Thanks for sharing!

[TheMadNote]

Originally Posted by The Ulnarian

Thanks for sharing!

My pleasure

[TheMadNote]

e---------------12-19-15-12-----12-----------------------------------------
b----12-15-19----------------19-----19-15-12-15-17-19-15-12-15-17-19-15-12
g---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
d---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
a---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
e---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

there it is tabbed (I think) I don't know how to notate accenting the 17th fret B string but it's a good stretch picking exercise.

[strat78]

That riff is pure Holdsworth (though quite an easy stretch among AH's riffs),but I away thought Ed used tapping in that sequence? Thanks for posting although your giving away a nice little secret.

[guitaral]

nice tab madnote... rock on

[TheMadNote]

Originally Posted by strat78

That riff is pure Holdsworth (though quite an easy stretch among AH's riffs),but I away thought Ed used tapping in that sequence? Thanks for posting although your giving away a nice little secret.

The mistake I learned when first trying to understand these kinds of licks was I used to play the F# on the 14th fret, e string instead of the 17th fret on the b.
Then I saw ice cream man live (same principle for these wide stretch licks), and he was just fretting the 12, 16, and 19th frets. It allows more momentum.
To answer your post though, he is tapping on the part before this one and the beauty of his playing is that you can't tell half the time.

[strat78]

There is nothing more thrilling than cracking the enigma of an Edward riff! You just nocked me right out of my chare when I applied your principle to that Icecream man riff, just like you said! I have been playing it at 12,14,16 and 19 for twenty five years now without ever quite being satisfied with it. THIS IS IT! It even flows down from string to string holding the same pattern!

Originally Posted by TheMadNote

The mistake I learned when first trying to understand these kinds of licks was I used to play the F# on the 14th fret, e string instead of the 17th fret on the b.
Then I saw ice cream man live (same principle for these wide stretch licks), and he was just fretting the 12, 16, and 19th frets. It allows more momentum.
To answer your post though, he is tapping on the part before this one and the beauty of his playing is that you can't tell half the time.

[TheMadNote]

Very cool 78 !

It's the same idea on the Girl Gone Bad solo too, only in the key of A. It all just flows now, doesn't it?
I was in the same boat bro, for years, but I remembered to pay attention when seeing footage of Ice Cream Man.
Glad to be of service. You nailed his tone on RWTD,btw.

[strat78]

Playing that Icecream riff the wrong way I just couldn't get the accents to fall on the right notes much less attack it with any kind of real aggression, so thanks again for the revelation. I love this stuff!

[BostonJohn]

Are you saying EVH is only playing frets 12 16 19 on the high e?

Please tab this out for me...

I was sure it's 12 14 16 19 (Frets)

P.S Have you heard EVH and Steve Lukathers Joy to the World on Steves Xmas Album?

John Denner

[TheMadNote]

Originally Posted by BostonJohn

Are you saying EVH is only playing frets 12 16 19 on the high e?

Please tab this out for me...

I was sure it's 12 14 16 19 (Frets)

P.S Have you heard EVH and Steve Lukathers Joy to the World on Steves Xmas Album?

John Denner

Read post #7 above;the f# is played on the B string but it is a 3 note per string pattern. And no I haven't heard the whole version of Joy to the World John, but I'd like to.

[BostonJohn]

I'm going to have to disagree with your version of this pattern.

I just watched Eddie again doing this and then watched Curt Mithchells version (Learn to Burn series)
Curt does it the way your Talking about, to but Eddie does not.

[TheMadNote]

(ice cream man)Eddie uses his index finger on the 12th fret, his middle finger on the 16th, and his pinky on the 19th. My source is US festival. (video)Either way it makes for a great exercise.

How is the solo on Joy to the World?

[BostonJohn]

I'll get you a copy as soon as i can.

There are 4 guitar solo's on this song 2 by Steve 2 by Eddie
Eddie's playing is very different.....RAW is the term Steve used