“They Used to Lock Me in a Little Room”: How Eddie Van Halen Mastered His Signature Speed Through a Face-Slapping Piano Teacher

We often associate rock ‘n’ roll with effortless talent, breaking the rules, and sticking it to the man, but Eddie Van Halen mastered his signature speed and sound by pursuing the opposite. He trained tirelessly on his first instrument as a child, requiring intense dedication, adherence to rules, and an appreciation (or, at the very least, respect) for his superiors.

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And yes, this work ethos applied even to superiors who used the threat of corporal punishment as a way to get Van Halen to focus on his studies. While there could be arguments made against this instruction method now, Van Halen did turn into one of the most influential and distinct guitarists of all time. So, we suppose all’s well that ends well.

How Eddie Van Halen Mastered His Signature Speed and Style

When you watch Eddie Van Halen within the context of the physical capabilities of the guitar, his shredding, arpeggiating style seems nearly impossible. When you watch Eddie Van Halen within the context of the physical capabilities of the piano, suddenly, his technique not only makes sense. One could reasonably expect this approach from someone who began studying classical piano at a young age. Van Halen’s technique of tapping the fretboard with his fingers came from countless hours of playing the keys.

“They used to lock me in a little room and go, ‘Play fast!’” Van Halen joked in a 1980 interview with Guitar Player. “I was actually trained to be a classical pianist. I had this Russian teacher who couldn’t speak a word of English, and he would just sit there with a ruler ready to slap my face if I made a mistake. This started in Holland, and both my brother and I took lessons. Then, when we got to the U.S., my dad found another good teacher. That’s where I got my ears developed, learned my theory, and got my fingers moving.”

The development of Van Halen’s ears would prove especially beneficial, considering he never learned how to read music. “Thank God I had good ears, you know?” Van Halen told Esquire in 2012. Van Halen’s parents entered him and his brother, Alex Van Halen, in piano contests where thousands of children would compete with a single piece they had rehearsed all year. Eddie won three years in a row, cementing his passion to become a professional musician in some capacity.

The Iconic Guitarist Was Almost The Band’s Drummer

Before Eddie Van Halen transitioned from a virtuosic child pianist to one of the most memorable guitarists of all time, the aspiring rock star almost picked up a different instrument altogether. As siblings are wont to do, Eddie and his brother, Alex Van Halen, bickered over who would play what instrument after bands like Dave Clark Five convinced them to start pursuing a musical career outside of the classical genre. Eddie started on drums, and Alex planned on being their band’s guitar player.

Eddie began working a paper route to pay off his drum kit. In a 2015 interview with Billboard, the guitarist said, “I was out throwing the papers to pay for the drum kit. Alex is playing my drums, and he got better than me. So, I said, ‘Take my damn drums. I’ll play your guitar.’ Worked out for the best.”

Photo by Richard E. Aaron/Redferns