Mel Bay’s Guitar Method is a long-standing and popular method for learning guitar. The entire Mel Bay guitar method series is seven volumes and aims to build the theoretical and technical foundation needed to play guitar in any style. All seven volumes (or grades) of this method are written in standard notation to encourage better sight reading. Book One is also available with an accompanying CD and DVD.
Each string is taught one at a time with exercises focusing on the new string. MB uses familiar songs in the lessons (Twinkle Twinkle, When the Saints Go Marching In, Aura Lee, etc.).
By the time the student is introduced to even a single chord, he/she should have a strong understanding of how to count and read music on the treble clef, as well as a better than average vocabulary of many guitar and music terms.
Once chords are introduced, the book presents songs in a “classical” style, which includes playing both melody and chords at the same time.
After completing book one, students will be proficient first-position readers with the ability to play a variety of chords, and should be competent at rythem basic lead guitar.
The play along tracks on the CD/DVD feature a single acoustic guitar playing to a click track.
Watch a video browse-through of Mel Bay’s Modern Guitar Method Grade 1.
| Title | Mel Bay’s Modern Guitar Method Grade 1 |
| Author | Mel Bay |
| Copyright | 1948 |
| Pages | 48 |
| Recommended for | A complete beginner, or an experienced player who wants to learn how to read standard notation. |
| Prerequisites | None. This book is suitable for an absolute beginner. |
| CD/DVDs | The volume in this review contained an accompanying audio CD. This book is also available in a version with a companion DVD. |
| Contents | Lessons include:
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| What I like | It’s hard to argue with a method book that has been successfully teaching guitar to players for over 60 years. The course is nicely paced and will gently lead the beginning guitarist into learning how to read guitar music in standard notation. |
| What I don’t like | This series was originally introduced in 1948, and the song style may seem a bit dated for young students. |
| Recommendations | The book is written for beginning students of all ages. A young beginner would have no problem working with this book. Another good audience for this book would be experienced guitar players who never got around to reading standard notation, and now want to learn |
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Troy Nelson, a celebrated guitar educator from Viroqua, Wisconsin, has significantly impacted guitar learning with acclaimed books like ‘Guitar Aerobics’ and ‘Fretboard Freedom’. His unique journey from Sports Management to leading roles at Hal Leonard Corporation and Guitar One magazine has shaped his approach to guitar education. Now based in Nashville, Nelson specializes in crafting effective guitar practice routines, enhancing players’ skills and technical mastery. His work is a treasure trove for guitar enthusiasts worldwide.