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The Best Guitar Book for Beginners: How to Read Music 1

The Best Guitar Book for Beginners: How to Read Music 1

How to read notes, chords, rhythms and real guitar music without feeling lost.

Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars from 62 Amazon ratings Amazon.com, September 28, 2026. Read what Amazon reviewers say now

  • Learn standard notation on guitar
  • Hear what the page should sound like with video examples
  • Move toward reading real songs in open position

See everything inside the book nowWatch a sample now (1:12)

Regular price $29.99 USD
Regular price Sale price $29.99 USD
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Available now. Printed for your order, then shipped to you.

Free with this book: Video examples of the exercises and songs, a 30-day practice journal and your first 10 songs. Scan the QR code in the book, or go to bestmusiccoach.com/books, and make a free account.

  • Free shipping on orders $50 and up (US, UK, Canada); under that, $5.99 flat. Printed in the US in 3 to 5 business days, then about 5 to 7 business days to your door by USPS Media Mail in the continental US.
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  • 30-day returns. Ask within 30 days of delivery. Refund policy

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  • 20,000+ Best Music Coach books sold
  • 26 million+ views and 132K subscribers on Dan's YouTube channel, Music Theory for Gamers
  • 686 Facebook followers and 1,703 Instagram followers

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Students who worked with Dan

  • PAT The Whale, a Best Music Coach coaching clientPAT The WhaleReleased Wild Dreams
  • Wubsoofer Music, a Best Music Coach coaching clientWubsoofer Music“I’m able to compose proper songs.”
  • Maple Colossus, a Best Music Coach coaching clientMaple ColossusReleased Summer.exe

These are Best Music Coach coaching clients, who worked with a coach one to one and in small groups. They are coaching results, not reviews of this book. Faces, names and results as published on bestmusiccoach.com/results.

Read notes, chords, rhythms, and real guitar music without feeling lost.

A beginner guitar reading method for adults and teens who want to understand the page, hear what the music should sound like, and build confidence reading open-position guitar music.

Use the book like a coach on the page. Open the book, follow the sequence, use the video examples, and keep moving. Each part is built around a practical learning sequence, so the next step is easier to see.

Read guitar music without waiting for tabs

  • Learn standard notation on guitar
  • Stop waiting for tabs or videos
  • Hear what the page is supposed to sound like

Hear what the page should sound like

  • Learn string names, notes, chords, rhythms, ties, rests, and accidentals in a guitar-friendly order
  • Use video examples so written music stops feeling silent on the page
  • Build speed and confidence with checklists that show you what is improving
  • Move toward reading real songs in open position instead of guessing your way through notation

Made for guitar players who never learned to read music

  • Adult and teen beginner guitar players
  • Guitar players who feel stuck because they never learned to read music
  • Self-study students who want a clear path with examples

Readers say it breaks reading into bite-sized chunks

"It breaks down beginner guitar playing and music reading into bite-sized chunks."L. W.
"It stays basic for true beginners, only using whole, half, and quarter notes and rests."TJ
"You will make fast progress!"KL

About the author. Dan Spencer is a composer, OST creator, author and coach.

He teaches the practical path from idea, or no ideas, to finished music you can actually play, write, understand, and ship.

What Amazon reviewers say

Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars from 62 Amazon ratings. Source: Amazon.com, read September 28, 2026.

  • 5 out of 5 stars

    Best book I’ve seen

    "When coming into music I really feel like this book can give me a solid foundation for learning guitar and ways I can develop."

    Arron L.Verified Purchase

    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 14, 2021

  • 5 out of 5 stars

    Lives up to its title

    "This series of books lives up to its "Best" title so much in factI ended up getting three of the books."

    KLVerified Purchase

    Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2021

  • 5 out of 5 stars

    Amazing book for foundational learning

    "This book is perfect for those who want to lay a strong foundation to build guitar skills on."

    L. W.Verified Purchase

    Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2021

Short excerpts from reviews on this book's Amazon.com page. Each reviewer is shown by first name and last initial, or the name they chose on Amazon.

How it works, in 3 easy steps

  1. Open the book and follow the sequence.
  2. Use the video examples to hear each part.
  3. Check your progress on the checklists.

Book details

FormatPaperback, printed on demand for your order
LevelAdult and teen beginner guitar players
Included freeVideo examples, 30-day practice journal, first 10 songs
Weight318 g (11.2 oz)
Ships toUS, UK and Canada, free on orders $50 USD and up, $5.99 USD flat under that

Shipping and returns

Print books ship to the US, UK and Canada: free shipping on orders $50 USD and up, $5.99 USD flat under that. We cannot ship print books to other countries yet.

Every copy is printed for your order at the printer closest to you. In the US it is printed in 3 to 5 business days, then about 5 to 7 business days to your door by USPS Media Mail in the continental US. In the UK it is printed in about 3 business days, then usually 2 to 5 business days by Royal Mail or The Delivery Group. In Canada it is printed in 3 to 5 business days, then usually 1 to 5 business days by Purolator Ground. Times are estimates, not guarantees.

Your free extras come with the book: scan its QR code, or go to bestmusiccoach.com/books, and make a free account.

30-day returns: ask within 30 days of delivery. See our refund policy.

Questions? Email support@bestmusiccoach.com.

Questions

Do I need to read music already?

No. It is built for guitar players who never learned to read music.

Where do you ship print books?

The US, UK and Canada. Free shipping on orders $50 USD and up; under that, $5.99 USD flat.

How long does a book take to arrive?

Each copy is printed for your order. US: printed in 3 to 5 business days, then about 5 to 7 business days by USPS Media Mail in the continental US. UK: printed in about 3 business days, then usually 2 to 5 business days. Canada: printed in 3 to 5 business days, then usually 1 to 5 business days. Estimates, not guarantees.

Can I return a book?

Yes. 30-day returns: ask within 30 days of delivery. See our refund policy.

How do I reach you?

Email support@bestmusiccoach.com.

Which guitar or piano book is right for me?

BookBest forLevelPrice
The Best Guitar Book for Beginners: How to Read Music 1 You are here Read standard notation on guitar Beginner $29.99
The Best Guitar Book for Beginners: Acoustic Guitar 1 Play acoustic songs now with TAB and chords Beginner $29.99
The Best Guitar Book for Beginners: Electric Guitar 1 Play electric songs and solos now with TAB and chords Beginner $29.99
The Best Piano Book for Beginners 1 Play modern songs on piano or keyboard Beginner $29.99