Complete Method for Modern Guitar (Mb93396)

If you are starting out on guitar, in a more casual vein, this is NOT the book for you. This book starts you out with fairly difficult pieces for a beginner guitarist. Especially those who are learning in a more casual mode and just want to learn songs that they can "strum" with. For those students I would highly recommend the "Hal Leonard Guitar Method Complete Edition" (which is available at most music stores and here on Amazon). As a matter of fact, if you are interested in the Mel Bay method, and not familiar with chord structure/music theory, I would still recommend going through the Hal Leonard book(s) first and then moving on to the Mel Bay book if you really want to dig in and learn guitar and sight read chords. I also think the Mel Bay book is really tailored to learning with an instructor sitting right there with you, whereas, the Hal Leonard book, which would also benefit from an instructor, would lend itself much more readily to self instruction. Note that on You Tube, Nick Tolman has some nice lesson guides for both of these books. That said, if you already, play an instrument, are familiar with chords structures and music theory, the Mel Bay book might work out for you. But it still might behove you to go through the Hal Leonard course first. Notice that I did give this book 5 stars, as it is a fine course, but likely a bit too difficult for a number of people just starting out in music in general and guitar more specifically.

This book combines all 7 of Mel Bay's original books in the series, with better typesetting, some additions and corrections, and a larger repertoire. I had some of the individual books and really appreciate this compendium. However, it lacks an index or table of contents ... you would be well advised to go through and start your own index.The method dates back to 1948 (with some relatively minor updates along the way) and so it may seem old. Well, it is old. The repertoire and practice pieces are old, dated, and public domain. But really ... so? They are timeless and they have great learning value. If you can't or don't want to deal with that, this method is not for you.And in fact the method is thorough and demanding. It is less on the fun side and more on the work side and it requires a serious and dedicated approach. But then a funny thing happens ... it becomes fun. You will learn a lot, and you will see progress, and then ... you start to really like it. That's what happened with me. The so-called "easy" newer methods felt somehow unsatisfying.If you want to learn musicianship, sight reading, a certain amount of theory; if you want to really master not just the fundamentals but more; if you have patience, dedication, and the will and drive to succeed ... this is one of the best methods (along with the out of print and even older Nick Manoloff books). No, it's not "modern" and won't teach you to shred like Hendrix.Best with a teacher but still usable by a self-learner, supplemented with YouTube and other instruction.

I'm not sure why this book is still being published with the same title that it has at his firts edition back in the late 40's. At that time it was in fact "modern" since the pick wasn't the usual choice in guitar playing and playing in a swing band was the dream of a teenager. Today's problem is that a costumer might buy this book thinking in Rage Against the Machine or the latest Vai Album and feel dissapointed when he finds out about the naked true.So, the title is misleading, but it is a bad book? Not at all, it's a good book, a very good one, maybe some people prefer examples and excersises that sound in the style of AC/DC or Metallica but, althought I'm a HUGE fan of Angus Young, sometimes I like to play the old fashion way. The book is a progressive method that begins from the very basic and work his way out to very advanced subjects, there is an special enphasis in chord working but I would recommend other book with a more contemporary approach - it seems that his chord system has been thought to be used in the context of the "Big Bands" of that time. Same with the picking instructions, the picking technic has evolved a lot in the last 50 years and you might find it accurate.However, the theory is very well presented and the secuense of the examples is very appropiate. I've have read some critics saying that the examples are very "old", meaning that they don't like it, but try not to see things that way, music has no age, some examples are very beautiful and prove that there has always been great musicians in this world.And for technical development, anyone who finish the book will be able to meet most of today demands in contemporary guitar. Of course, you won't become Pat Metheny with this book alone but it will give you a very good technical foundation.Do I recomend it? Yes, I do. But please, look at it as what it is and don't expect "modern" stuff as the title seems to promise but also don't treath it like if it were an outmoded piece of junk, is not.

I am picking up guitar after a 25 year absence. I learned with Mel Bay back in the 70s. This reintroduction is familiar and needed. Learning to read and play music starting with the notes on each string is a solid, fundamental approach. I never liked practicing but today I am enjoying every minute! If you want to pick up any piece of music and be able to play it in plectrum style you can’t go wrong.

I'm nearly done with all three sections and found being able to hear what the lessons should sound like and to be able to play along with them (at a tempo you pick), make this the go to book (I have many) for my guitar learning journey. Admittedly after completing section 3, I will still consider myself a beginner.

I love the book, which I'd easily give 5 stars to. It's one of the all time great tried and tested plectrum/pick guitar methods. The reason I'm giving it three stars is because of the unpleasant surprise of having to fork out 14.87€ in customs charges here in Spain (payable only in cash!?) when the book only cost about £23. I've bought plenty of books from amazon.uk since Brexit, but I've never paid any customs charges until now, so I wish amazon.uk had been more explicit about any recent legal changes which meant having to pay more at this end. The same book costs 40.77€ from amazon.es which basically explains the customs charge.

I bought this because it appears to include all the Mel Bray books in one volume. But there are some drawbacks:-- The print quality is quite poor in places making it hard to read the score- The book is quite heavy and inflexible so it's hard to keep the pages open while it's on a music stand- It does not include many of the exercises which are in the Extended editions of the separate Mel Bray Guitar Method booksIn the end I have decided to buy the separate Mel Bray Guitar Method books and will sell this volume. It's a bit more expensive to buy the separate books but it's definitely worth it to avoid the frustrations of this volume. Overall, a disappointing purchase

I have learned from and used this book for over thirty years now and must say it is the finest method available as far as the material contained in it is concerned.The only reason I have not given it a five star review is due to the very poor quality of the printing of the book. Many of the pages are no better than a 'very poor' photocopy which is really disappointing from a publisher of this standing.ThanksJim Conquer

It's really good for beginners as well as those who are passionate.It will serve you well...Trust me it's worthy. And quality of paper if I say , is not that great... 3 stars only. I suggest.. take the spiral binding of the same for daily and long use...

This method is old, however this material is compiled so you can advance in your reading and understanding on the guitar. This does combine very basic theory thats easy to understand. If you want to learn how to read and your serious pick up this book.