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As I work through arrangements in Mel Bay's Masters of the Plectrum Guitar (thanks Rob M for your inspiring recordings) I have found Mr Bay's arrangements very enjoyable. Unfortunately, I cannot find one recording of him playing or any folios of just his arrangements. Anyone know where I could find such things?
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02-20-2015 08:22 AM
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Are you sure he actually wrote the book? Most of those books are written by others and MB is the publisher, not the author.
Having said that, when I lived in St Louis in the 70's, I used to occasionally shop in his retail store, which he actually ran personally, and would witness him picking up a crappy, impossibly-high action acoustic guitar, play some impressive, fast riff on it, spin it around in his hand by the neck and present it to some kid and his parents who would inevitably buy it. I would just shake my head in disbelief. So, I believe the man had some chops (plus sales skills and nerve) but he may still not have written your book...
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He didn't. It's a compilation of others arrangements, but there are about 6 of his own arrangements in the book which are very nice. Check out Rib Mck's videos on here. It's impossible to find his own recordings as every time you google him it's nothing but his publication material.
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Somewhat tangentially, Chet Atkins and Tommy Emanuel do a clever song called Ode to Mel Bay on their duo album. And perhaps not coincidentally Chet had a series of books on guitar method published by Mel Bay.
Quite an American success story...from the Wikipedia entry:
"After the war, Mel was asked to write instructional materials on guitar for GIs wishing to learn music under the GI Bill. However, when he approached the major three music publishers in New York, all three turned him down, saying there was no future in guitar.In 1947, Mel formed his own publishing company and wrote his landmark initial book titled The Orchestral Chord System for Guitar. This book is still in print under the title Rhythm Guitar Chord System. His Modern Guitar Method was penned shortly thereafter in 1948. After the success of Elvis Presley in the early 50s, the guitar's popularity took off, helping to ensure the success of the company. For years Mel traveled from town to town talking to guitar teachers and players and showing them his publications. At one time, Mel claimed to have known virtually every guitar teacher in America on a first-name basis.
"Mel used to sell D’Angelico guitars. At any given time he would have 5 or 6 “lying around the house.” Mel played professionally on his New Yorker model but his favorite was the initial Mel Bay Model crafted as a gift for him by John D’Angelico. This famous guitar had all of the main features of the New Yorker but was a “cut away” model and had a slightly thinner neck. This instrument has been pictured on the Mel Bay Modern Guitar Method for decades. Mel Bay was still playing guitar every day until his death in 1997 at age 84."Last edited by Doctor Jeff; 02-20-2015 at 02:52 PM.
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Didn't find videos of Mel Bay playing either, but I stumbled over this:
when I was looking for versions of "Mighty Lak' a Rose" from "Masters of Plectrum Guitar". That seems to be a son of Mel Bay. In the video he talks a bit about his dad and the piece. And then plays himself. Since I am an incompetent beginner on guitar, usually I am reluctant to have an opinion about the abilities of other guitar players. But in this case--how shall I say? It doesn't feel very advanced... I found an npr interview with him, maybe that explains something:
YDSTIE: Yeah. And I hope your father gave you a few tips along the way.
Mr. BAY: Yes, I did. But you know, as teacher, he loved playing so much that I had to know my lessons because the first time you made a mistake, he would say, oh, let me show you, and then you'd get a concert instead of a lesson.
There is another utube video of him playing "To a Wild Rose" from the book.
For myself, I worked through a dozen pieces of the book, which I found by the hint of Rob MacKillop from this forum. With all the beginners obstacles--not being able to handle the guitar, not being able to read music--it would have been impossible for me to draw anything valuable from the book without Rob's videos. Such a great work, I am really, really thankful! That opened some doors...
Robert
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Dr. Jeff mentioned this, the "Ode to Mel Bay" performed by Chet Atkins and Tommy Emmanuel. I have posted this before elsewhere but I don't mind hearing it again. Hope you don't either.
It's especially fun to hear these masters mimic beginning guitar soloists....
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Not really...
Originally Posted by diminix
Rob's version popped up on Youtube afterward, and is great. Kind of blue... :-)
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There are worse things that could be written in your obit than "He played guitar every day until his death at age 84." Hope it's in mine as well.
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Thanks for the mentions of my name, and I'm so pleased my little efforts have inspired some people to play this repertoire.
Mel was a tenor banjo player initially, then a fine guitar player. His son, William, or Bill, likes to write guitar solos, many with a 7th string at a low A. And Bill's son, Mel's grandson, Collin, is also an excellent player, very advanced.
Bill ran the company for many years, then Collin took over. But Bill has just told me that Collin left to set up his own company, so Bill is back at the helm.
Bill said my playing was too slow compared to his Dad's...something to keep in mind.
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I looked for Mel himself playing too, can't find anything. It's suprising that there's nothing out there, there's got to be some footage or recordings. It would be cool if the family would release a clip or two.
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I think it would be great if they released a compilation of his work along with written arrangements. I mean, come on, it's his name on the company. You'd think they'd have at least a book dedicated to his arrangments with a companion cd of them being performed by the don or grandson. I'd get it. The arangments are beautiful in MOTPG.
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I've just dropped Mel's son, Bill, an email. I'll let you know if he replies.
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Bill replied almost immediately:
"There was a PBS television many years back on the legendary Uke player, Roy Smeck. Dad accompanied him on that video. That is the only thing I am aware of."
It doesn't appear to be on YouTube, sadly.
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Thanks Rob. Too bad. I hope someday they (Mel bay) print more of his arrangements. I would think he would have had many written down.
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When I saw Barney Kessell he did a Q&A someone asked him what he does when stuck. Barney said he has a red phone in the back of his amp that goes directly to Mel Bay's house.
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I happened to discover today that Mel Bay published a couple of books for Mills Music:
Mel Bay's Folio of Mills Standards for Guitar
Mel Bay's Folio of Mills Favorites for Guitar
Saw them on AMAZON, had no idea that he published his works outside of his own company. It'd be real cool if today's Mel Bay got the rights and reprinted this stuff. Also I'd like to see a first edition version of his guitar method. I know it's been altered over the years.
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Ahahah, thank you for the treat ! This song is hilarious, as is the Barney Kessel quote Originally Posted by MarkRhodes
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Worked through this when I was first getting serious.
Last edited by Isfahan; 03-13-2015 at 02:59 PM.
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Hey all! New user here. Just trying to track down a wonderful 1 page chord expose which existed in the back of 1 (or more) of Mel Bay's Modern Guitar Method...from the 60's. It was the simplest example of the 4 part chords, where you move 1 finger to get a completely different harmony...very cool. If anyone has used this and have a copy, please advise and I will attempt to purchase.
Rick
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Raney and Abersold, great interview.
Yesterday, 11:21 PM in Improvisation