Mel Bay | Living St. Louis
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- čas přidán 27. 11. 2007
- Living St. Louis producer Ruth Ezell profiles the life of Missouri musician, Mel Bay. Growing up, he was a talented guitar player, but his great success came from making instructional books that taught others how to play the guitar. Bay later opened a music store in Kirkwood that would sell his world-famous instruction books and a variety of musical instruments.
- Hudba
Lovely historic story !! I have been using the Mel Bay books as part of my own program since 1979 and I agree they are well organised books. Well done Mel Bay. Congratulations. I was also delighted to learn that Mel Bay was going to study Civil Engineering; I began as a Civil Engineering student etc.. but took up the opportunity to become a guitar teacher in 1970. I have never looked back. 51 years later I am still teaching. My dad went to USA in 1979 and brought back all the Mel Bay books as a gift for me. Grade 1 to grade 7, I devoured them and then I started using them as part of my own program; excellent books, thank you Mel Bay. This is a great story !! :)
I never heard of Mel Bay until last week. I'm 73 and retired, and going crazy sitting at home. So I tried playing guitar, but my fingers were too fat, and I couldn't fret properly, so I decided to try Baritone Ukulele because there is more finger space. Still struggling I went to a music store and they presented a Mel Bay beginner Baritone book to me. I'm still all thumbs, but I'm not giving up. Thanks Mel Bay! 🎼🎵🎶
My first guitar lessons were at Mel Bay Music in Kirkwood back in 1968. I was in the 3rd grade and was eager to play in church. Years later I worked at one of the nation's largest music stores. I had the pleasure of meeting Mel Bay at an event where we were presenting musical instruments to gradeschool children and their parents. The kind and smart Mr. Bay was pleasant to chat with and he shared many 'war' stories. Thanks to learning via these excellent books ... music has been at the center of my life and family. Both of my sons are talented multi-instrumentalists and we jam ever moment we can. The younger son plays drums in my classic rock/pop/Motown group. There is no greater joy than sharing music with family. Thank you Mel Bay.
Mel Bay taught 90% of guitarists in the pre-internet age. Before CZcams there was the MEL BAY's Chord book and instructional books! I still have the Chord book and use it all the time!!!
I remember listening to NPR on the radio the week Mel Bay died. I didn't know anything about him then even though I had taken guitar lessons when I was 13 years old. It was very interesting ,they played an interview with him when he was an old man.
It tells a story of relaxing after dinner when he gets a phone call from a young guitarist that was about to perform in concert and was looking for advice from him. It turned out to be Jimi Hendrix. Mel said something to Hendrix about triads . After hearing this on NPR I decided to go to a music store and rummaged through some old guitar instruction books and found a few Mel Bay books, and have been using them ever since.
Mel Bay’s books helped me tremendously and I just dabbled with it. I now have both the Modern Guitar Method and Classic Guitar Method. Now my goal is too master both books. And really improve my sight reading and theory. Mel Bay and his family is truly a national treasure.
Why are there ZERO video, voice audio or moving images of Mel Bay anywhere are the internet? Very mysterious.
What a terrific documentary. My guitar teacher, Tony Calabro, uses the Mel Bay Guitar Method books as part of his intergrated program in Morwell, Australia, and has done so successfully for many years.
I really enjoy learning from these books and hope to complete the entire program. Mel Bay was a great innovator and teacher.
Tony teaches me too! Something beautiful about getting his signature on the certificate at the end of each book 😂
Two great teachers!
Also a student of Tony's, the use of the Melbay books are great. Very well laid out.
Glad I found this. I started guitar with a rental from Mel Bay himself, worked out with my Mom, who wanted me to learn an instrument after I lost interest in piano. This was likely ca. 1969, and I took lessons for at least a year with Jose Smith at Mel Bay's teaching studio west of the Kirkwood store on Jefferson. I must have been an impressive student, because I have lots of memories of Mr. Smith falling deeply asleep as I sat there, struggling with the week's assignment. I didn't know whether to wake him up or not! No doubt, he had been up most of the night performing at a club. Anyway, this started a life-long love of guitar, and I'm still playing and trying to improve to this day. Thank you Mel Bay and family!
That 7 volume guitar series is still the Gauntlet, and it will always be.
All of us who play guitar owe Mel Bay our most gracious appreciation and thanks.
A TRUE Master Teacher and Musician.
Thank You for EVERYTHING you have shared with us!
RIP Mr. Bay And... You will ALWAYS have my Respect!
I bought the Mel Bay mandolin chord book 40 years ago. A friend started to play mandolin a few months ago and I said I would give him a few lessons. I said that I had bought the Mel Bay chord book and he replied that his research had told him that was the best book to buy. So, there you have it- Mel's books were great and have passed the test of time.
This is great ! I took lessons there in the mid to late 60's for several years under Jose' Smith, an old Gaslight Square guitarist -- truly great memories!! Mel was a great and fun guy that loved the guitar and all things musical. Thank you!
Excellent! Are there any videos of Mel Bay playing?
My parents got me my first vito plastic clarinets there--then my professional series LebLanc clarinet, and then in 1980 when I graduated from highschool, my Selmer Mark VI tenor saxophone which I still avidly persue. I remember meeting with Mel many times as a grade schooler and highschooler. My sister studied the 1st method book for guitar. We will all miss Mel--what a great St. Louisan.
Great video. I teach in Scotland using Mel's method. It's excellent and so easy to follow for younger kids. Keep up the good work Bill!
God Bless Mel Bay/
Interesting. I was born in St. Louis, had an uncle and aunt who lived in Kirkwood, and grew up in the Ozarks, in Springfield. I'd definitely seen Mel's books at Hoover's Music, but didn't really know how strong Bay's connection with Missouri was.
I have heard the same things from my guitar teacher, Mel Bay's nephew
I remember starting to learn this style at Nottelmann music on lemay ferry by the shop n save arch. Good times.
But no footage of Mel Bay playing?
Don't forget Bill Bay as well.
How I learned to play guitar.
Had The Books....
Didn't anybody think to record and film Mel Bay playing guitar????
The Mel Bay method is responsible for start of many successful guitarists, but ironically, because the songs in his method are so incredibly uninteresting, Bay is responsible for endless frustration and numerous guitar quitters.