Mel Bay Letter
Page 1 of 3: When Bunny gave up teaching, she asked Mel Bay to take over her students. This letter, written on February 25, 1935, mentions her influence on his teaching and also shows that the very young Mel Bay was already building on that and developing his own ideas and methods.
Transcript:
Dear Bunny
Well here is an answer to your most welcome letter which I received the other day.
I am writing this on my twenty-second birthday which if I remember is also your 1st wedding or paper anniversary as they call it. Congratulations and best wishes.
I am getting along fine with my teaching and I am doing everything in my power to keep in your footsteps, that is, I am trying to keep your style of teaching in the school.
I try to teach them just…
Transcript:
Dear Bunny
Well here is an answer to your most welcome letter which I received the other day.
I am writing this on my twenty-second birthday which if I remember is also your 1st wedding or paper anniversary as they call it. Congratulations and best wishes.
I am getting along fine with my teaching and I am doing everything in my power to keep in your footsteps, that is, I am trying to keep your style of teaching in the school.
I try to teach them just…
Page 2 of 3
Transcript (continued):
…like I think you would.
I certainly think that your ideas are the only ones for teaching.
If a building or a house is put on a weak foundation, it will be a wreck in no time; the same applies to music.
I try to build up a good foundation for the student and when that is done, the rest will come better and the student will become a musician rather than a player.
I am trying to work out a system of my own whereas the student can advance rapidly, but…
Transcript (continued):
…like I think you would.
I certainly think that your ideas are the only ones for teaching.
If a building or a house is put on a weak foundation, it will be a wreck in no time; the same applies to music.
I try to build up a good foundation for the student and when that is done, the rest will come better and the student will become a musician rather than a player.
I am trying to work out a system of my own whereas the student can advance rapidly, but…
Page 3 of 3
Transcript (continued):
…still be well schooled.
I have Roy Sample & Elmer Quinchara(?) in the Weidt No. 2 for single note technic, and they like it fine.
We are having a meeting of the guitar & banjo teachers Thursday nite and the purpose is for trying out some new ideas and I have a few that I want to put forth. I am working very hard because I love the work and I have an ambition to become as good a teacher and player as you and believe me that is worth working for.
Your friend
Melbourne
Transcript (continued):
…still be well schooled.
I have Roy Sample & Elmer Quinchara(?) in the Weidt No. 2 for single note technic, and they like it fine.
We are having a meeting of the guitar & banjo teachers Thursday nite and the purpose is for trying out some new ideas and I have a few that I want to put forth. I am working very hard because I love the work and I have an ambition to become as good a teacher and player as you and believe me that is worth working for.
Your friend
Melbourne