"Single-handed virtuosity": Guitar wunderkind executes Eddie Van Halen's iconic two-hand tapping section on guitar - employing only one hand
In a stunning display of skill and dexterity, Filipe Rosset, a guitar prodigy from São Paulo, has managed to play Eddie Van Halen's iconic two-handed tapping parts from "Eruption" with just one hand. His performance, showcased on his Instagram feed, has left the comments section filled with fire emojis, including a blown-mind reaction from Gibson CEO Cesar Gueikian.
Rosset's extraordinary handspan and advanced legato techniques allow him to mimic what would normally be done by the picking hand, tapping notes on the fretboard, while his seamless legato playing replicates the fluidity and tonal quality of two-handed tapping. This unconventional approach is particularly remarkable given that "Eruption" is known for its fast two-hand tapping runs.
The key elements enabling Rosset's approach are a formidable handspan to reach multiple fret positions, anchoring one finger as a base on the fretboard, using other fingers to tap, hammer-on, and pull-off with legato precision, and mastery of legato technique to replicate the tapping “tone” with one hand. This adaptation allows him to perform the iconic solo with one hand while maintaining the characteristic sound and speed of the original.
Filipe Rosset is in good company as a Gibson-endorsed artist, joining the ranks of guitar greats like Jimmy Page, Slash, Lzzy Hale, and Marcus King. His performance of "Eruption" has also sparked discussions about the potential of one-handed guitar playing.
"Eruption," released in 1976, is widely considered the pinnacle of shred guitar. The free-to-watch documentary about the release and legacy of "Eruption" was released in May, featuring numerous interview clips with Eddie Van Halen. Dweezil Zappa even used "Eruption" in an experiment to determine if guitar players at a recent clinic could tell the difference between tube amps and digital modelers.
Ted Templeman, the band's producer, justified signing the band by saying, "I just wanted that genius to be recognized by the world." Van Halen's "Eruption" has indeed been recognized, and now, thanks to Filipe Rosset, it continues to push the boundaries of what is thought possible on the guitar.
- Filipe Rosset, a Gibson-endorsed artist, has adapted Eddie Van Halen's iconic two-handed tapping technique to play "Eruption" using just one hand, impressing even Gibson CEO Cesar Gueikian with his performance.
- Rosset's extraordinary handspan, advanced legato techniques, and mastery of anchoring one finger as a base on the fretboard allow him to tap, hammer-on, and pull-off with legato precision, mimicking what would normally be done by two hands.
- "Eruption," an iconic guitar piece released by Van Halen in 1976 and widely acclaimed as the pinnacle of shred guitar, continues to challenge and inspire guitarists, as demonstrated by Rosset's one-handed performance.
- Rosset's adaptation of the two-handed tapping technique for one hand has sparked discussions about the potential of one-handed guitar playing, contributing to the ever-evolving world of music entertainment and the ongoing recognition of guitar genius.
