Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love Guitar Lesson – Van Halen


In these Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love guitar lesson videos, we are going to take a look at one of the most identifiable songs from Van Halen's debut album "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love".

The opening guitar riff uses heavily muted arpeggiated picking drenched in the phaser/flange effect that would soon become a Van Halen signature sound.

Be sure to follow along with the picking indications in the video lesson. That will make the intricate guitar intro become a lot easier.

After that we take a quick look at the chorus riff. It was simple enough I though I would just throw it in. 😉

All in all this Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love guitar lesson is probably one of the most accessible of the entire Van Halen catalog.

The main riff may be kinda tricky at first but after a small amount of practice I am sure that just about any level of guitar player can get it up to speed.

In the second video lesson I will show you how to play Eddie Van Halen's guitar solos. The guitar solos in "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" are probably the easiest that Eddie ever played. They still have that cool Van Halen vibe so they are pretty fun to play.

Have fun! Carl...

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Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love Guitar Lesson Pt.1 - Van Halen

Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love Guitar Lesson Pt.2 - Van Halen

11 Comments

  1. Anonymous on June 6, 2014 at 2:08 am

    good…job…

  2. michael whitley on December 28, 2014 at 6:09 pm

    I learned this song 26 years ago but I don’t remember the guitar solo its a great song I would like to learn the guitar solo again.

  3. Marlon Bankston on March 25, 2015 at 1:28 am

    Your tutorial on this song is well done and easy to follow. For me, studying EVH guitar licks has greatly enhanced my skills in playing lead guitar. Thank you!!! It would be great to include the solo and rest of the song.

  4. Tommy Radcliffe on April 20, 2015 at 5:43 pm

    Hey Carl: That is the first lick I learned over 30 years ago. However, I learned it up at the 5th
    and 3rd bar cords, and the lick was up there as well. I saw Eddie play it long ago, and he did
    it up there from A @ 5th to E@ 7th on the A string, then from there a killer hand form that plays the same notes that you show, but up at the High E with a pinky stretch to the G and so on. Also, after the Power cords from Am to G, he does sorta half the lick, after 2 bars, then
    during the verse vocals, he does that half lick which is the first 4 notes of the opening lick then
    quickly a fast pull up on the 3 fret with just the G & D Barred. Anyway, thanks again for the
    reminder, and see if you can pull up that part during the verses. Thanks
    TommyRad

    • Carl Brown on April 24, 2015 at 11:30 am

      Hey Tommy, thanks for watching the lesson. Unfortunately I have to disagree with you about Eddie playing the opening lick up at the 5th then 3rd fret positions. I have actually never seen anyone do it up there.In any case, here is a quick video of Eddie playing it back in the 80’s as a reminder 🙂 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1NmPFgdt6Y

  5. frank paparo on July 28, 2016 at 9:34 pm

    Even though it’s vh , I learned it in a week . Thanks for the great song total confidence builder

  6. frank paparo on July 29, 2016 at 5:33 pm

    Bey carl i know your really busy with all of this, i would like to make a request. “Vanhagars” human beings, some of eddies greatest licks, huge song i would greatly appreciate it, thanks frank

  7. Richard Kinney on October 12, 2020 at 9:33 am

    I’m having trouble getting the palm-muting on the intro to where I like how it sounds. I’ve been trying different ways and I’m curious what you have the guitar volume set at? Are you running it at 10 or at a lower setting?
    Thanks.

  8. Noah Graham on March 31, 2021 at 8:11 am

    will we ever get the full song?

  9. JB on August 13, 2022 at 2:45 am

    Hey Carl, are my ears playing tricks on me or are you tuned to Eb for the solo here?

  10. Paul Saiz on March 4, 2023 at 11:04 am

    Nice lesson.

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