Eddie Van Halen - Know the Man, Play the Music (Fretmaster) [Spiral-bound]

Rod Fogg (Author), Malcolm Dome (Author), Eddie Van Halen (Author)

Book Description

Series: Fretmaster | Publication Date: July 1, 2005

Part of the Fretmaster series, this book is geared to teach players both the history and technique of one of rock's greatest guitarists. It explores the musical life and legacy of Eddie Van Halen, from his high school days in Pasadena, California, to the present day, provides detailed accounts of his most significant recorded work, and offers commentary from Van Halen himself and the well-known guitarists he has influenced. Lessons on technique provide the skills and encouragement players need to emulate this musical master.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Malcolm Dome is the doyen of British rock journalism, a former editor of Kerrang! magazine, the bible of Metal, and author of books on Metallica, Voivod, Stone Temple Pilots, AC/DC, not to mention his Van Halen; Excess All Areas. Rodd Fogg is a professional guitarist, performer, composer and teacher based in London. In addition to running the Jazznik record label he has recorded with many leading artists and lectures at Kingston University. He has recently completed a book on the playing style of Django Reinhardt which includes six detailed transcriptions of classic Reinhardt recordings.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 106 pages
• Publisher: Backbeat Books (July 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879308389
• ISBN-13: 978-0879308384
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,706,172 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Very disappointed, September 11, 2005

By 

T. C. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eddie Van Halen - Know the Man, Play the Music (Fretmaster) (Spiral-bound)

This book was a huge disappointment. I purchased the book based upon its description but it does not deliver what it promises. The author trashes the Roth era van halen at every opportunity while piling heaps of praise on Hagar. You would think he was writing a book about Hagar. There are a couple of interesting photos, but no new information for anyone that has followed van halen for any length of time. The cd of how to play like van halen is a complete joke. First of all, the tone stinks and does not sound like van halen of any era. Second, the riffs and licks are not challenging and certainly won't give you much insight into how to play like van halen. I have been playing guitar for over 20 years and this is one of the worst products I have ever wasted my money on. For anyone seriously trying to get a grasp on how to sound like Eddie I would recommend Curt Mitchell's dvds on Van Halen.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A complete joke, February 6, 2006

By 

angry fan (US) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eddie Van Halen - Know the Man, Play the Music (Fretmaster) (Spiral-bound)

The word extensive shouldn't be used to describe it and it's as bad as everyone's saying. The only thing worse than the book was the press release Backbeat Books put out. False advertising to the enth degree. They said Eddie would be telling his story in his own words by recounting each step of the band's career. That was a grotesque lie. Eddie was in no way involved in the making of this book and neither was anyone else in the band. Eddie's own words were nothing more than a few ancient quotes cut and pasted into the book. They said the book pours over Eddie's style with expert detail. Another lie. The lessons if you can even call them that are sad to the point of being hysterical. They didn't even include the tablature for any Van Halen songs! The lessons are some hamhanded attempt at copping Eddie's style that fall well short. The history if you can even call it that is more a discography masquerading as a history. They said the book included quotes from all the different guitar players Eddie influenced. Another lie. There's one or two quotes from Leslie West and no one else. I could go on and on but I don't care to. You get the point. They even messed up Eddie's birthday. He was born in 1955 not 1957. If you need a good Van Halen book pick up the VH Encyclopedia by CJ Chilvers or the recently released Van Halen 101 by Abel Sanchez. The knowledge those two men have about VH is a million times stronger than that of anyone involved in this pathetic attempt to cash in on the Van Halen name. By a country mile. Dome and his crew couldn't carry Chilvers or Sanchez jock.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing rehash, August 27, 2005

By 

R. Johnson (Brisbane, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Eddie Van Halen - Know the Man, Play the Music (Fretmaster) (Spiral-bound)

Unfortunately failed to live up to hype. I assumed by the title that this would provide new 'inside information' direct from Edward himself. Unfortunately it is a complete rehash of the same old stuff we've seen before, but presented in a almost negative critical disapproval at VH's failure to live up to the excellence of the first LP, and sour grapes because they didn't tour Europe enough. As for learning about Edward's guitar playing technique; I learnt much more from Curt Mitchell's excellent Guitar Method DVD. I'll be putting this book on Ebay today.