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Van Halen - Jump - Chords - Guitar Lesson

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Key C major
Van Halen - Jump - Chords guitar lesson video
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Classic Rock

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Van Halen Hard Rock C major
Capo Advisor 0 C major · Original key

About Jump - Chords

"Jump" is one of the more unusual entries in the Van Halen catalogue for a guitarist, because the harmonic backbone is driven by keyboards, not guitar. That said, learning the chord version gives you a solid grip on the C major tonality that runs through the whole song, and it translates well to acoustic or rhythm guitar work. The progression is fairly approachable, which makes it a good vehicle for focusing on your strumming feel and dynamics rather than fighting complex fingering. What does take attention is matching the bright, punchy energy of the original, so think carefully about your pick attack and where you accent beats. If the chord transitions are tripping you up at tempo, use the Practice Toolbar to loop a short section slowed down until the movement between shapes feels automatic. Once the changes are clean, bring the tempo back up and let the rhythm breathe.

  • The song is built on a C major tonality, so the chord shapes sit comfortably in open and first-position territory on guitar.
  • Because the original melody is keyboard-driven, the guitar chord version asks you to focus on rhythmic feel and pick attack rather than lead work.
  • Practise transitions between chord shapes at a reduced tempo using the Practice Toolbar before pushing back up to full speed.

How to Play Jump - Chords

Key: C major · Tempo: 130 BPM

Use the section loop to isolate a passage, drop the speed below 100%, and set the metronome to 130 BPM to build it up to tempo.

Gibson ES-335
Guitar

Gibson ES-335

Eddie Van Halen pulled a Gibson PAF humbucker from a ES-335 to load his original Frankenstrat, giving him a low-output pickup that maintained clarity during lightning-fast tapping and legato runs despite heavy gain.

Marshall Plexi (1959 Super Lead)
Amp

Marshall Plexi (1959 Super Lead)

Eddie's 1968 Marshall Plexi Super Lead, run through a variac at 90 volts, created his legendary 'brown sound' by pushing power tubes into sweet, spongy saturation at gig volumes, defining his harmonic sustain and responsiveness.

Soldano SLO-100
Amp

Soldano SLO-100

Eddie adopted the Soldano SLO-100 as a tonal alternative to Marshalls, delivering the high-headroom, articulate gain he needed for his finger-tapping technique while maintaining clarity in complex legato passages.

Peavey 5150
Amp

Peavey 5150

Eddie co-designed the Peavey 5150 to capture his signature tone in a modern platform, offering three channels from clean sparkle to crushing high-gain with EL34 power tubes for dynamic responsiveness across his entire playing vocabulary.

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
Pedal

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah

Eddie employed the Dunlop Cry Baby wah strategically on select solos, using it to add vocal-like expression and sweep to his lead lines without relying heavily on effect-driven tones.

MXR Phase 90
Pedal

MXR Phase 90

Eddie's MXR Phase 90 script-logo version created his signature swirling, vocal sweep on 'Eruption' and 'Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love,' becoming one of rock's most identifiable effect tones through minimal, tasteful use.

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