Mel Bay Grade 1 Guitar Method Free Supplementary Materials And Online Resources

Mel Bay Publications offers a range of free supplementary materials for users of their Modern Guitar Method Grade 1 books. These free resources include downloadable PDFs, audio files, and video content that enhance the learning experience. The free materials are available for both the standard and expanded editions of the method books, with additional resources specifically designed for the expanded version. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the free content available, how to access it, and what materials are included.

Overview of Mel Bay's Modern Guitar Method Grade 1

Mel Bay's Modern Guitar Method Grade 1 is a time-tested and proven successful method for learning modern plectrum style guitar. The method is designed to build a theoretic and technical foundation needed to play in any style. The Grade 1 book introduces students to playing solos, duets, scales, and chords in the keys of C, A minor, G and E minor. The method is written in standard notation only to encourage better sight reading skills.

The method book includes several features that make it suitable for beginner guitarists: - Tips on tuning, correct posture, hand positions and holding the pick - Picking studies, principal chords and accompaniment patterns in multiple keys - Carefully graded tunes, studies and music theory lessons at a user-friendly pace - Introduction to the chord/melody concept of guitar performance

The method is available in several editions, including standard, expanded, left-handed versions, and translations into Spanish and French. The expanded edition includes additional content and supplementary materials that are available online.

Free Supplementary Materials Available

Mel Bay offers a variety of free supplementary materials for users of their Grade 1 guitar method books. These materials enhance the learning experience by providing additional practice pieces, audio examples, and instructional videos.

Rock Freebies

The "Grade One Expanded Internet Freebies" includes a collection of rock-oriented supplementary materials: - Rock Feeling - Rock Feeling 2 - Swamp Buggy - Low Gear - Power Drive - Four-String Blues - Reading Tab - Guitar Rock - Rainy Day Blues - Classic Rock Boogie 1 - Classic Rock Boogie 2 - Classic Boogie - Drivin' D - 16 G's - Down Shift - Do it! - Overdrive - GrandSlam - Triplets (Explanation) / Triplet Blues - Three Past Midnight

Classical and Folk Freebies

The free materials also include classical and folk pieces: - Hungarian Dance #4 - The Sally Gardens - Sakura - Minuet - Caleb's Gorge - Parson's Farewell - 11 Mile Canyon - Star of the County Down - Shady Grove - Shabat Shalom - Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier

Online Audio and Video Content

The Modern Guitar Method Grade 1 Expanded Edition includes access to online audio and video content. This includes: - Audio examples for every solo in diverse styles - Downloadable instructional video introducing beginning students to plectrum-style guitar - Audio accompaniments for practice

Pop Version Free Audio

A specific pop version of the Grade 1 method is available with free audio content by Nori Kelley, providing additional contemporary material for students.

How to Access the Free Content

Access to the supplementary materials varies depending on the specific edition of the method book and the type of content:

1. For the Modern Guitar Method Grade 1 Pop Version, users can access the free audio by clicking the "Download Extras" button on the product page. Once downloaded, the file can be opened by double-clicking it on the computer.

2. For users experiencing difficulties with downloading or opening the files, complete instructions are available through a provided link.

3. For the Expanded Edition, online audio and video content is accessible through a system included with the book purchase.

4. Technical assistance is available for users who encounter problems accessing the free content.

Expanded Edition vs. Standard Edition

The Modern Guitar Method Grade 1 is available in both standard and expanded editions, with differences in the supplementary materials provided:

Standard Edition

• Includes basic method content
• May have limited supplementary materials
• Focuses on core learning objectives

Expanded Edition

• Includes all standard content
• Provides access to extensive online audio and video materials
• Offers additional supplementary pieces across multiple genres
• Includes downloadable instructional videos
• Provides more detailed explanations and examples

The expanded edition is particularly beneficial for self-learners who may benefit from additional visual and auditory examples to supplement the written material.

Free Content by Category

The supplementary materials available with Mel Bay's Grade 1 method books are organized into several categories:

Rock Studies

The rock freebies include pieces designed to develop specific techniques common in rock guitar playing: - Picking exercises (Rock Feeling, Rock Feeling 2) - Blues-based pieces (Four-String Blues, Rainy Day Blues) - Boogie patterns (Classic Rock Boogie 1 & 2, Classic Boogie) - Technical exercises (Triplets, Three Past Midnight)

Classical Pieces

The classical selections include arrangements of well-known classical pieces: - Hungarian Dance #4 (Brahms) - Minuet (various composers) - Rondo (Mazas)

Folk and Traditional

The folk and traditional pieces include arrangements of familiar tunes: - The Sally Gardens - Sakura (Japanese folk song) - Star of the County Down - Shady Grove - Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier

Technical Studies

Some free materials focus on specific technical aspects: - Reading Tab (introduction to tablature) - Triplet explanations and exercises - Accompaniment styles in different keys

Technical Requirements for Accessing Free Content

To access the supplementary materials, users need to meet certain technical requirements:

1. Internet connection required for initial download of materials
2. Computer or device capable of opening downloaded files
3. Software for playing audio and video files (typically standard media players)
4. Storage space on device for downloaded content

For users experiencing difficulties accessing the materials, Mel Bay provides technical support and troubleshooting resources. The company recommends contacting customer service for further assistance if problems persist.

Conclusion

Mel Bay's Modern Guitar Method Grade 1 offers an impressive range of free supplementary materials that enhance the learning experience. These resources include downloadable PDFs, audio files, and video content across multiple genres, particularly rock, classical, and folk music. The expanded edition provides the most comprehensive collection of free materials, while even the standard edition includes valuable online resources.

Access to these free materials is straightforward through Mel Bay's website, with clear instructions provided for download and troubleshooting. The supplementary content complements the core method book by providing additional practice material, examples in different styles, and visual/auditory references that can accelerate learning.

For guitar students using Mel Bay's Grade 1 method, these free resources represent significant added value that extends beyond the printed materials. The variety of styles and difficulty levels ensures that students can find supplementary material appropriate for their current skill level while exploring different aspects of guitar playing.

Sources

1. Mel Bay Grade One Expanded Internet Freebies
2. Modern Guitar Method Grade 1 Pop Version Free Audio
3. Guitar Lessons by Brian - Mel Bay Reviews
4. Modern Guitar Method Grade 1 Expanded Edition
5. Modern Guitar Method Grade 1