Hey, this is Chris Buono, and I'm going to show you how to play "Ain't Talkin' About Love" by Van Halen from their debut album. This tune is deceptively simple, ranking alongside iconic riffs like "Crazy Train," "Iron Man," and "Smoke on the Water." It's the kind of riff that sticks in your head because it's just so awesome.
We'll be diving into all the main parts that Eddie played, as well as a secondary part buried within the solos, where he produces a sitar sound using a copy of a sitar that Dan Electro crafted. We'll delve deeper into this as we progress. Additionally, there's a beginner-friendly version of this tune, making it highly accessible even if you're just starting out.
It's crucial to note that I'm tuned down a half step. So, you'll need to adjust your E, A, D, G, B, and E strings down to E flat, A flat, D flat, G flat, B flat, and E flat. You can achieve this tuning using a tuner, by ear, or however you're accustomed. Sound-wise, I'll be replicating Eddie's signature tone: a Marshall amplifier cranked to the max, producing a massive gain. I'll also incorporate his three staple effects: an analog phaser, an analog flanger, and a tape delay. And of course, you'll hear a liberal dose of reverb, reminiscent of what was used in the original mix.
With the right sound settings and riffs at our disposal, we're all set. We'll kick things off by exploring an arrangement encompassing all the parts. After that, we'll dissect each section in detail. Ready? Let's dive in!