Right Now by Van Halen, from For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (1991), features one of Eddie Van Halen’s most melodic and mature guitar solos. It is a departure from his earlier fireworks — slower, more expressive, and built entirely on feel and tone.
About This Lesson
Eddie Van Halen demonstrates on this solo that he was not just a technician but a complete musician. The phrasing is lyrical and restrained, the bends are perfectly pitched, and the vibrato is wide and confident. It is a masterclass in how to play for the song rather than for yourself.
What You Will Work On
- Lyrical, melodic phrasing — EVH playing for the song, not for technique
- Expressive string bends — wide, accurate, emotionally charged
- Mature vibrato technique — confident, controlled, and musical
- Tone and dynamics — how touch shapes the sound on a clean or lightly driven tone
- Pentatonic vocabulary with feeling — familiar scales used with depth and intention
Tips for Learning
- Listen to Right Now many times before picking up the guitar — absorb the feel.
- Focus on vibrato and bending — this solo is 80% feel and 20% technique.
- Use a warm, slightly driven tone to match the original character.
- Record yourself and listen for emotional impact, not just technical accuracy.
WANT TO MASTER THIS SOLO PROPERLY?
Private Rock Guitar Lessons via Zoom — Diego Fonseca
Rock & metal specialist with 20+ years of teaching. Students across the US and Canada. I will build a lesson plan around the music you actually want to play — solos, technique, theory.
✔ Free 30-min trial lesson ✔ US & Canada timezones ✔ $240/month · 4 lessons
Fill out the form and Diego will reply within 12 hours.