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Michael Jackson - Beat It Pt.2 - Complete Solo - Guitar Lesson

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Michael Jackson - Beat It Pt.2 - Complete Solo - Guitar Lesson

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Michael Jackson - Beat It Pt.2 - Complete Solo guitar lesson video
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Classic Rock

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Michael Jackson Pop

Beat It Pt.2 - Complete Solo

"Beat It Pt.2 - Complete Solo" by Michael Jackson offers electric guitarists a focused study of one of rock's most iconic guitar moments. The solo, originally performed by Eddie Van Halen on the 1982 recording, blends aggressive picked runs with explosive tapping techniques, making it a benchmark piece for intermediate and advanced players. Learning the complete solo develops speed, precision, and command of the fretboard in a musical context that remains widely recognized.

  • The solo on 'Beat It' is a classic showcase of two-handed tapping technique, a must-study passage for any serious electric guitarist.
  • Michael Jackson, known as the 'King of Pop', began his music career at age 5 before launching his solo career in 1971.
  • Mastering the complete solo requires control of both legato phrasing and rapid alternate picking across multiple positions on the neck.
Gibson Les Paul Standard
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Standard

Slash wielded a '59 Les Paul replica on 'Give In To Me,' delivering that warm-yet-cutting midrange essential to MJ's hardrock guitar moments. The guitar's thick body resonance pairs perfectly with Marshall stack overdrive for Michael Jackson's most aggressive rock tracks.

Gibson Les Paul Custom
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Custom

The Les Paul's humbucker firepower cuts through MJ's dense pop production with natural tube saturation and sustain. This guitar provides the weighted tone needed for Slash's solos and rhythm work across the Thriller-era rock-influenced catalog.

Marshall JCM800
Amp

Marshall JCM800

Slash cranked a Marshall JCM800 2203 head to achieve natural tube overdrive on 'Give In To Me,' delivering the aggressive rock punch that defines Michael Jackson's harder-edged guitar moments. The amp's responsive gain structure lets the Les Paul's humbuckers shine through dense production.

Marshall Plexi (1959 Super Lead)
Amp

Marshall Plexi (1959 Super Lead)

Eddie Van Halen's modified Marshall Super Lead (variac'd for sag and compression) powered the legendary 'Beat It' solo, creating that compressed, singing lead tone perfect for tapping techniques. The Plexi's harmonic richness made the single humbucker's output cut through MJ's production.

Fender Twin Reverb
Amp

Fender Twin Reverb

The Fender Twin Reverb's clean headroom and natural reverb capture the glassy, percussive rhythm tones on tracks like 'Billie Jean' and 'Rock With You.' This amp provides the transparent platform that lets funky single-coil snap and light chorus effects define Michael Jackson's pop-soul foundation.

Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro
Pickup

Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro

Slash's Les Paul uses Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro pickups, delivering warm-yet-cutting midrange that sits perfectly in MJ's pop arrangements while maintaining rock credibility. The pickup's balanced output ensures clarity and sustain whether driving Marshall heads or cutting through dense studio mixes.

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