Great Books

Mel Bay's Modern Guitar Method is the world's premier method for learning modern guitar. Now it is available in this package with its companion DVD video. This method, written by Mel Bay himself in 1947, is time tested and has proven to be quite successful in building the harmonic knowledge and technique needed to play any style. In book one, the guitarist will learn basic notes on the guitar, single note playing, thirds, triads, chords, and chord progressions. The student will play solos, duets, scales, and chords in the keys of C, A minor, G, and E minor while learning to read musical notation. The 105-minute DVD video follows along with the book, offering added instruction and tips along with split-screen right- and left-hand views of the exercises, solos, and duets being played. The music is also shown on screen (in notation only), so the student can either watch it on screen or follow along in the book.

This approach really works. It holds my student's interest." These are typical comments on the effectiveness of William Bay's Guitar Class Method. As no other instrument lends itself to so many moods and styles of music (blues, folk, rock, country, classical, flamenco, jazz, etc.), playing the guitar as a popular mode of expression and the instrument itself have become an integral part of American life. The Guitar Class Method was written with the hope it would expand the range of people of all ages who would be exposed to the guitar through a meaningful, authoritative method that is easy to follow.

This book is considered to be the largest selling basic guitar chord book ever published! Twelve basic guitar chord types are shown in three ways: photograph, notation, and chord diagram. In addition, a special bonus section is contained showing in photo and diagram the essential moveable rhythm guitar chord forms. This special section contains the basics of Mel Bay's acclaimed Rhythm Chord Playing System showing the guitarist how to finger numerous advanced chord forms with a minimum of hand movement! Chords shown in photo, notation, and diagram form include Major, Minor, Dominant Seventh, Diminished, Augmented, Ninth, Major Seventh, Minor Seventh, Seventh #5, Seventh b5, Sixth and Minor Sixth. Chords are chown in the bonus Moveable Rhythm Chord section include Major, Minor, 7th, Minor 7th, 7sus4, 7b5, 7#5, Minor 7b5, Sixth, Minor 6th, Diminished 7th, Diminished add 9, 9th, Minor 9th, 9b5, 9#5, Minor 9b5, 7th b9, 7th b9#5, 11th, 9 add 6, Minor 9 add 6, 13th, 13sus11, 13 b9, 13th b9 b5. Now includes a DVD! DVD 78:23 minutes.

Grade 2 explores more complex rhythms in carefully graded solo and duet settings with parallel lessons in music theory- just enough to keep students up to speed in terms of what they are expected to play. The book begins with a review of playing in the key of C major but soon goes to F major/D minor followed by D major/B minor. Written in standard notation only. A companion double CD set is available for this book.

Complete in three volumes, this widely used text presents classical guitar instruction in a logical and clear manner. The student is thoroughly grounded in left and right hand technical studies and is acquainted with the works of the masters. In notation only.

This text presents beginning violin technique and basic music-reading fundamentals, with an emphasis on the use of melodies and classical pieces to teach each new concept. The 28 lessons include basic technique and reading skills, scales in the keys of A, D, G, and C as well as bowing techniques such as dynamic contrast, slurs, accents, and staccato bowing. There are 47 melodies presented including works by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Handel, Mozart and other classical composers. The companion CD and DVD feature all of the exercises and pieces recorded with solo violin and piano accompaniment. • Uses melodies and pieces to introduce technique and fundamentals. • Includes scales in A, D, G, and C; slurs, accents, and staccato bowing. • 47 melodies, including works by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart, and more. • Companion CD and DVD contains all exercises and pieces.

Internationally acclaimed for its thoroughness, innovation, and ease of understanding, the Mel Bay Modern Guitar Method is the world's premier guitar course of instruction. This extremely popular method has been time tested and proven successful in building technical proficiency needed to master music of any style. The included CD presents selected guitar solos and studies from the book with accompaniment in split-track format. The split-track format allows the listener to hear and play along with the backup and solo part together or separately. A CD player with a balance control knob is required to take full advantage of this feature.

The most complete, authoritative text available on autoharp. Teacher and author Meg Peterson presents a colorful array of songs and styles as well as a myriad of strum patterns in an easy-to-understand manner. This self-teaching course features Meg's highly acclaimed system for teaching melody solo performance on the autoharp. Each of its 48 lessons builds on the one before it, with a reference section included for those who wish to learn about music notation, theory, harmony, transposition, and chord substitution. There are 122 practice songs and many more suggested ones. Also included is information on tuning, changing strings, and altering chord position on the instrument. The CD is a stereo teaching tape with vocal instruction and performance demonstrating many of the strum patterns and tunes in the book at full tempo with a singer.

This beginner's method presents clear, concise instruction for learning to play the traditional three-stringed mountain dulcimer. Thirty-eight songs are taught with notation and fret numbers for each note. Chord symbols are also included for playing with guitar, banjo, or another chording instrument. Melody playing with drones and basic chord playing are both taught. Lyrics are included with the songs for added fun. From the time this text was first published, it has been a steady best seller.

This is a popular and creative method for teaching guitar to young children. From the beginning it integrates chord playing with note reading. The student starts with easy one finger chord forms and strums accompaniments to numerous songs. Note reading is then methodically and carefully introduced. Two subsequent volumes complete this course. The method features Ron Wheeler's colorful cartoon artwork. This package includes the companion instructional DVD video.