Beat It

This most recognisable of intro guitar riffs should not prove too difficult to master, on either the acoustic or electric guitar. However, the lead solo, played by Eddie Van Halen is a different learning proposition altogether. Not only is it full of squealies, harmonics, hammer-ons/offs and bends, but, about 2:45 into the song, there is an audible knocking noise just before Eddie Van Halen starts his guitar solo. It’s the sound of Eddie’s guitar tremolo being bent, and it’s bending the guitar strings from loose towards tight producing an interesting effect. It actually sounds like someone knocking at the door.
Anyway, back to the intro riff. The song is played in the key of E minor at a moderately fast tempo of 132 beats per minute and only uses the bottom E, A and D strings. Although it is not a slow riff, the fact that the only specific techniques you require to play this are hammer-ons and a stop i.e. not letting one of the notes ring out – in this case the D which is played at the end of each phase – make it a relatively easy learning proposition.
The guitar sound is over driven, but not too distorted. It is important that the notes have some longevity but that the melody line overrides any other effects.
Once learnt, this riff will be in your repertoire forever. Its simplicity also ensures you can re learn it an instant if you haven’t picked up your axe for a while.

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Each Riff Includes Step By Step Videos, Tabs and Backing Tracks

Learn to play this Riff and Jam with our included backing tracks. And all the teaching and Jam session videos can either be viewed online, or downloaded to your PC.

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Tags: Andy Partridge, BandJammer, Beat It, Guitar Riffs, Learn Guitar, Michael Jackson