Mastering the Guitar Class Method 9th Grade & Higher: A Comprehensive Method for Today's Guitarist!

William Bay · Mike Christiansen

Apr 2014 · Mel Bay Publications

About this ebook

In this class guitar method, traditional fundamentals of playing guitar are presented using an innovative approach. Students are shown chords and accompaniment techniques as well as how to read music and play solo guitar. The carefully graded repertoire in this book is stylistically diverse and includes music from many cultures. A section is devoted to teaching students how to improvise over blues chord progressions and write original blues lyrics. A special feature of this class method is the inclusion of music written for guitar ensemble (2-5 guitars). Musical examples are provided with blend of standard notation and tab. Musical examples do not employ standard notation and tab at the same time. An accompanying audio and Teachers' Supplement are available. Includes access to online audio.

About the author

William Bay received his undergraduate degree in business at Washington University in St. Louis and his MBA at the University of Missouri. He played trumpet and guitar professionally for many years and has authored hundreds of books on music education and performance. As president of Mel Bay Publications he has produced thousands of books dealing with an eclectic array of musical styles, genres and instruments and performed on many audio and video recordings. He is an accomplished composer and arranger. His books have sold in the millions. He was recently inducted into the Missouri Music Hall of Fame.

The following William Bay recordings are now available on most audio streaming services: Trumpet and Guitar, Guitar Images, Acoustic Guitar Portraits, Christmas Guitar Portraits, Celtic Hymns and Sacred Songs, Songs from the Heartland, Beautiful American Airs and Ballads, Sacred Songs of Early America, Beautiful Airs and Ballads of the British Isles, Early Music Gems, Celtic Gems, Beautiful Carols of Christmas and more.

Mike Christiansen is Professor Emeritus in the Music Department at Utah State University. Mike founded the guitar program at USU and was Director of Guitar Studies at USU for 39 years. His past awards include Professor of The Year at Utah State University, ASTA (American String Teachers Association) Utah Chapter Outstanding Collegiate Educator of the Year Award, a U.S. Carnegie Professor of the Year, and USU Caine College of the Arts Professor of the Year. Mike has been a TED speaker and is a renowned guitar educator. He has taught workshops at many schools throughout the country. He is a frequent clinician for guitarists and classroom guitar instructors at various conferences, including MEA conferences, the Midwest conference, and the JEN (Jazz Educators Network) conference. He has authored/co-authored over 40 books and appears in hundreds of instruction videos. He averages over 130 performances annually as a soloist, with the group Mirage, and the Lightwood Duo. He has performed with many artists including Jack Petersen, Glen Frey (the Eagles), Joe Diorio, Sid Jacobs, Jose Posadas, Tommy Emmanuel, Johnny Hilland, Natalie Cole, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Sutton Foster, Take Six and The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square.