Mel Bay - Mel Bay Publications

Mel Bay Publications is an American publisher of materials for musical instrument playing, particularly instructional books that teach a particular instrument or style. It was founded in 1947 by player Mel Bay and is based in Pacific, Missouri.

Mel Bay Publications' books target musicians of varying levels of proficiency, from the beginner who is unfamiliar with musical notation to those with advanced performance skills. Available introductory material includes methods for classical instruments such as the violin, clarinet and trumpet, folk instruments such as the harmonica, mandolin, banjo, and accordion, as well as material for various types of guitar. This material often emphasizes styles such as classical, rock, blues, jazz and folk music.

After the war, Mel was asked to write instructional materials on guitar for GIs wishing to learn music under the GI Bill. 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. For years Mel traveled from town to town talking to guitar teachers and players and showing them his publications. At one time, Mel claims to have known virtually every guitar teacher in America on a first name basis. The guitar and Mel Bay books caught on in a big way in the 1950s. His method books grew in popularity worldwide and helped establish the foundation for most of today’s guitar pedagogy. Guitar Player magazine referred to him as “the George Washington of the guitar.”

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.