Guitar and Piano Books

Beginner method books for guitar and piano, from first notes to reading real music.

Guitar and piano books for beginners

Want to play real songs, not just exercises? These beginner books are made for adults and teens who want to play the music they love on guitar, piano or keyboard. Each one comes with video examples, so you can hear how every page should sound.

Which one to pick

Want to play songs on acoustic guitar now? The Best Guitar Book for Beginners: Acoustic Guitar 1 is two books in one. You learn how to hold and tune your guitar, play your favorite songs with TAB and chords, change chords faster, play your first solos and play with your fingers. No traditional notation needed.

Prefer electric guitar? The Best Guitar Book for Beginners: Electric Guitar 1 is also two books in one, with songs and solos, strumming and picking, and a speed checklist for every song to keep your motivation up.

Want to read real guitar music? The Best Guitar Book for Beginners: How to Read Music 1 teaches standard notation on guitar in a guitar-friendly order: string names, notes, chords, rhythms, ties, rests and accidentals. You stop waiting for tabs or videos and start reading the page.

Playing piano or keyboard? The Best Piano Book for Beginners 1 takes you from key names to full songs in rock, pop, video game music and other modern styles, instead of only old method-book pieces.

What you learn

  • How to play songs you actually want to play.
  • How to change chords faster and play with confidence.
  • How to read notes and rhythms on the page.
  • How to practice so you can see your progress.

How shipping works

Every book is a paperback, printed on demand and shipped to your door. Books ship to the US, UK and Canada: free shipping on orders $50 and up, $5.99 flat under that. Right now, books ship only to these three countries. You see the exact shipping price at checkout before you pay.

Want the theory behind the songs?

When you are ready to know why the chords you play work, The Best Music Theory Book for Beginners 1 is the next step. It teaches reading, rhythm, scales and chords on any instrument.

About the author

Dan Spencer is a composer, author and coach. His music books have sold 20,000+ copies and helped 5,000+ readers, and he has 26 million+ views on Music Theory for Gamers, his YouTube channel.

Not sure which book fits you? Email support@bestmusiccoach.com and tell us what you play.