ISBN 9781619117143.

This is the flagship book in Mel Bay's Achieving Guitar Artistry series. Herein you will find an extensive collection of linear pieces with interesting melodic content. Frequent performance of these etudes will not only enhance technique, but offer the guitarist a wonderful opportunity to improve tone, touch and lyrical phrasing.We suggest playing each etude at a slow tempo at first, the goal being to achieve a clear and beautiful tone on every note. The next objective is to develop a sense of lyrical completeness to each musical phrase. Make the phrases sing! Once you have achieved the desired quality of tone and expression, increase the tempo to work on the technique.Mel Bay's Guitar Journals - Mastering the Fingerboard: The Reading Book (MB20903) would make an ideal supplement to Linear Guitar Etudes as it presents etudes in all keys and positions.The pieces in Linear Guitar Etudes are multi-positional. That is, the player will be required to move from position to position on the fingerboard. The music is presented in standard notation only, with left-hand fingering included on the more complex passages, and circled numbers to indicate the strings where certainnotes and passages are to be played.These etudes sound good on both nylon and steel-string guitars, and will be a valuable addition to the music library of any guitarist, enhancing their abilities regardless of the style of music played.

ISBN 9781619117501.

Among fretted-instrument players there is an expression that states, The fret hand marks a player, but the pick hand distinguishes an artist. The 23 original compositions in this book offer a fresh basis to explore and develop plectrum or pick-style playing technique to a professional level. These pieces require various playing techniques and include: linear studies, double-stops, counterpoint, and chord playing. By studying and learning these pieces, guitarists can not only refine their technical mastery, but also enhance their skill level and artistry in solo guitar performance. This collection also includes eight duet arrangements to be played by two guitarists. The duets are fun to play as student/teacher sight-reading exercises, and can be used as guitar duo performance repertoire as well. The music is written in standard notation only. Access to online audio is included for all 31 pieces.

ISBN 9781619117549.

The arts flourished in the Baroque period. Music from that time is still performed worldwide by symphonies, opera companies, choirs, chamber ensembles and soloists on many instruments. The period was characterized by the works of such great artists as J. S. Bach (b. 1685), Handel (b. 1685), Telemann (b. 1681) and many others. These composers defined the rich, ornate and melodic Baroque style of music which we categorize in the classical realm. There was another genre of music flourishing during this period, and that was the common or folk music style characterized by such composers as Ireland's legendary harpist, Turlough O'Carolan (b. 1670).In composing music for this book the author recreated harmonic and melodic elements of this great musical age, while adding some contemporary twists. All of the etudes are original and will serve to enhance guitar technique, phrasing, expression, note- reading ability, and knowledge of the entire guitar fingerboard. Fingering and string markings are included where appropriate.In addition to facilitating the many technical and aesthetic aspects of performing at an advanced level on the guitar, these etudes may be used successfully in concerts or recitals. This book is an ideal companion for the other books in the Mel Bay Achieving Guitar Artistry series, which is designed to condition and guide the developing guitarist to an advanced level of proficiency, regardless of the style of music performed.

ISBN 9781619119604.

This book contains 21 original, melodic, song-like solo-guitar etudes which will infuse your playing with lyricism. The compositions are very approachable, containing highly melodic song forms with emotional and narrative content. All the material is written for the plectrum guitar but can also be played fingerstyle. In addition to the solo arrangements, ten of the compositions include a lead-sheet version (for duo or ensemble playing). The etudes are perfect for performance situations such as auditions, recitals, concerts and for enjoyment. Written in standard notation only. Includes access to online audio. The Mel Bay Achieving Guitar Artistry series is designed to condition and guide the developing guitarist to an advanced level of proficiency, regardless of the style of music performed.

ISBN 9781619117495.

Odd-time signatures are often an enigma to the Western musician and present specific challenges when it comes to phrasing and feeling. This book will improve any musician's ability to intuit odd-time signatures, through 48 etudes in 5/8, 7/8, 9/8, 10/8 and 11/8 time. Mixed etudes are also included, which feature different traditional and odd-time signatures within each piece. All of these studies will facilitate note-reading and position playing abilities, and are applicable to jazz, classical and contemporary guitar genres.The Mel Bay Achieving Guitar Artistry series is designed to condition and guide the developing guitarist to an advanced level of proficiency, regardless of the style of music performed.

ISBN 9781619118591.

This collection of original, contemporary, concert-style compositions for plectrum or flatpicked guitar includes 15 preludes, 4 sonatas with multiple movements, and 12 nocturnes. The solos present a colorful spectrum of tonality, harmony, rhythms and moods ideal for concert or recital performance. All solos are written in standard notation only with appropriate fingering and string markings.