Best Guitars Books in 2026

Daisy
Last Updated: Feb 7, 2026

At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Guitars Books

No Bull Music Theory for Guitarists: Master the Essential Knowledge all Guitarists Need to Know
#TOP1
No Bull Music Theory For Guitarists: Master The
9.8
PM SCORE
Music Theory for Guitarists, Volume 2: More Fretboard Concepts to Help You Master Chords, Scales, Improvisation and Guitar Theory
#TOP2
Music Theory For Guitarists, Volume 2: More Fretboard
9.8
PM SCORE
Music Theory for Guitarists: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know But Were Afraid to Ask (Guitar Method)
#TOP3
Music Theory For Guitarists: Everything You Ever Wanted
9.8
PM SCORE

* PickSmartly editors independently research, review, and endorse the top products through comprehensive data analysis. We may earn a commission for qualifying purchases made through our product links.

Summary of the Best Guitars Books of 2026

Market Overview
Guitars Books Reviewed
  • Reviews Analyzed: 8043 Items
  • PM Avg. Rating: 7.1 / 10
25 Products Evaluated
  • Highest Price: $364.98
  • Lowest Price: $9.99
  • Avg. Price: $37.97

No Bull Music Theory For Guitarists: Master The Essential Knowledge All Guitarists Need To Know

KAVNLON
9781914453106
8.50 X 0.25 X 11.00 Inches
0.59 Pounds
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
Amazon.com 9.68

Music Theory For Guitarists, Volume 2: More Fretboard Concepts To Help You Master Chords, Scales, Improvisation And Guitar Theory

KAVNLON
8.50 X 0.30 X 11.00 Inches
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
Amazon.com 9.68

Music Theory For Guitarists: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know But Were Afraid To Ask (Guitar Method)

HAL LEONARD
695790
9.00 X 0.30 X 12.00 Inches
0.84 Pounds
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
Amazon.com 9.68

Features

Tablature: Yes

104 pages

Size: 12" x 9"

Author: "Tom Kolb"

ISBN: 063406651X

Selections From Rolling Stone Magazine's 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time: Guitar Classics Volume 2: Classic Rock To Modern Rock (Easy Guitar Tab) (Rolling Stones Classic Guitar)

ALFRED MUSIC
00-30126
9.00 X 1.00 X 11.75 Inches
2.40 Pounds
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
Amazon.com 9.68

Features

Songs include:

"Alison"

"Another Brick in the Wall Part 2"

"Back in Black"

"Bad Moon Rising"

Alfred's Basic Guitar Method, Bk 1: The Most Popular Method For Learning How To Play, Book & Online Audio (Alfred's Basic Guitar Library, Bk 1)

ALFRED MUSIC
00-45304
8.80 X 0.20 X 11.60 Inches
0.50 Pounds
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
Amazon.com 9.68

Features

Alfred's Basic Guitar Method 1 Book & Online Audio 3rd Edition

Recognized for over 50 years as the best-paced and most comprehensive guitar method available, Alfred's Basic Guitar Method has introduced over five million beginners to the joy of playing guitar

Now included are blues, country, folk, jazz, and rock styles, plus more pop songs! DVDs are available for the visual learner, and correlating theory, chord, and pop books provide everything you need from one complete method

Learning to play has never been easier or more fun than with Alfred's Basic Guitar Method---the first and best choice for today's beginning guitar students

Book 1 introduces you to the foundations of guitar playing

Classic Guitar Technique, Vol 1: Book & Online Audio (Shearer Series, Vol 1)

ALFRED MUSIC
00-45293
8.90 X 0.30 X 11.80 Inches
0.90 Pounds
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
Amazon.com 9.68

Features

Classic Guitar Technique, Volume 1 (Third Edition) - Book & Online Audio

Bluegrass Banjo For The Complete Ignoramus (Book + Online Audio)

BRAND: NATIVE GROUND MUSIC, INC.
MLBNGB104
9.00 X 0.25 X 11.75 Inches
0.55 Pounds
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
Amazon.com 9.68

Features

Used Book in Good Condition

Bass Aerobics

HAL LEONARD
696437
9.00 X 0.28 X 12.00 Inches
0.95 Pounds
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
Amazon.com 9.68

Features

Book/Online Audio

Pages: 112

Instrumentation: Bass

Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light Acoustic Acoustic-Electric Guitar & Tga-1A Acoustic Guitar Headphone Amplifier

TRAVELER GUITAR
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
Amazon.com 9.68

Features

Product 1: 11.5" x 20" Bookplate tilts and is fully adjustable, 1" platform hold thin books or music sheets

Product 1: Metal spring arm extensions hold music sheets securely in place

Product 1: Two tier vertical shaft, makes this stand perfect for sitting or standing. Height adjusts from 28" to 52"

Product 1: Tripod leg assembly adjusts to tight spaces and folds flat for storage

Product 2: A-frame universal guitar stand for acoustic and electric guitars

Product 2: 3 adjustable-width settings to accommodate most guitar shapes

Product 2: Lightweight, durable, metal construction; no assembly needed

Product 2: Soft foam arms and back rest to protect your guitar

Bluegrass Mandolin For The Complete Ignoramus! (Book & Online Audio)

BRAND: NATIVE GROUND MUSIC
MLBNGB107
9.25 X 0.50 X 12.25 Inches
0.65 Pounds
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
Amazon.com 9.68

Features

Used Book in Good Condition

Gruhn's Guide To Vintage Guitars: An Identification Guide For American Fretted Instruments

BACKBEAT
332957
4.29 X 1.26 X 7.91 Inches
1.22 Pounds
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
YourOnlineBookstore 9.89

Features

Softcover650 pagesSize: 7-3/4" x 4"Author: Walter CarterISBN: 879309806

You see what you think is the exact vintage Gibson Les Paul guitar you've been looking for the past seven years

Is it really true? Have you actually found it? How can you know for sure? You don't have your dependable Gruhn's Guide to Vintage Guitars updated and expanded edition with you because it's too big to carry around! And right when you most need it, too! You don't ever have to miss an opportunity like this again, because now, for the first time, Backbeat Books presents the unabridged Gruhn's Guide to Vintage Guitars Pocket Edition

Made in the classic model of traditional pocket field guides, this book contains all the valuable up-to-date information found in the standard edition, but is designed to be the ultimate user-friendly collector's companion, easy to carry anywhere

Small size book that fits in your gig bag or pocket but is easy to read Contains all the same information that the full size edition has, including all photos Lightweight paper that's durable and reproduces the book's photos well and a textured, soft leatherette cover make this the perfect compliment to your full size home edition

Beyond Pentatonic Blues Guitar: Master Intermediate To Advanced Blues Lead Guitar Concepts, Licks, Scales & Theory For More Sophisticated Soloing And Improvisation

MUGORO
8.50 X 0.41 X 11.00 Inches
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
Amazon.com 9.68

Great Songs Of Folk Music: 46 Songs Arranged For Voice, Piano & Guitar

CHERRY LANE MUSIC COMPANY
2500997
9.00 X 0.43 X 12.00 Inches
1.13 Pounds
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
Amazon.com 9.68

Features

Used Book in Good Condition

Ghostfire High-End Electric Guitar Gig Bag Super Thick Fit St/Tl ,Lp/Sg An Expansion Package Is Attached (Electric Guitar-Grey)

GHOSTFIRE
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
GHOST FIRE 9.79

Features

High density fine woven fabric and composite lining not only stabilize the guitar bag structure, but also give it excellent waterproof and scratch resistance. The fabric shall be treated against water splashing, and the water drops will slide down by themselves, but it is not allowed to soak in the water or rain for a long time. If you soak in the water or rain for a long time, the water will seep in from the crack position

The quality of the guitar bag is extremely light, only 5 IB, but it can well resist the impact from the outside of the guitar bag. The fabric is compounded with EVA thickened material, which is more textured and wear-resistant than ordinary fabrics. The interior closely fits the outline of the guitar, so that the guitar can be protected more safely. The thickness of the outside reaches 0.8 in, which can well protect the guitar from damage

The new upgrade makes the portable fuller and increases the whole PE board. It will not deform after lifting. The portable texture and durability, with a million level grip, let you carry it without any worry The back pocket of the head can be added to hold guitar strings, rocker, mobile phone, keys, pens, tools and other accessories There is also an extra long storage bag in the outer pocket, which can put some cables / books / Guitar Strings / guitar straps, flat things and so on

Super wear-resistant pad,Super wear-resistant anti-skid pad, 3 at the side and 3 at the bottom to increase the service life of the guitar bag

Plush pillow The internal guitar pillow is more suitable for all guitar necks on the market. The relatively flat neck pillows of strat and tele types will fit perfectly to protect the guitar neck and avoid hanging in the air. For LP, SG and other elevation type necks, we have made independent raised pillows to deal with this kind of guitar necks. When purchasing, we can choose a bag suitable for our own guitar model.

Gruhn's Guide To Vintage Guitars

BRAND: BACKBEAT BOOKS
00330455
6.25 X 1.50 X 9.25 Inches
2.05 Pounds
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
Jay’s Marketing LLC 6.35

Features

Used Book in Good Condition

Dobro G Tuning Resonator Guitar Fretboard Note & Rolls Chart - Beginners & Intermediate Instructional Easy Poster Chords 11X17 | A New Song Music

A NEW SONG MUSIC
DOBRO-G
17.00 X 11.00 X 0.01 Inches
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
A New Song Music 9.87

Features

This is a great learning tool for beginning and intermediate dobro players. The 17" x 11" instructional guide is nice to hang on the wall wherever you practice for easy reference, instead of flipping through a book. This chart includes 8 basic right hand roll patterns. Above fretboard is the chord locations as the bar is held above the corresponding fret for a standard Open G tuning. This information can be found in books, but rarely on one easy to read chart!

Right Hand Roll Patterns

11" x 17" Instructional Guide

Heavy 80lb Glossy Paper

Note locations on the fingerboard

Beginning Jazz Guitar: The Complete Jazz Guitar Method (Book & Dvd)

ALFRED
00-20423
9.00 X 0.50 X 11.75 Inches
1.05 Pounds
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
Amazon.com 9.68

Features

Beginning Jazz Guitar (Book/DVD)

If you can play basic rock or blues guitar and want to play jazz, this collection of jazz lessons by Jody Fisher is all you need

Step-by-step lessons cover basic chords, jazz chord-scales, the major scale, and basic jazz improvisation

Outstanding live performances by brilliant guitarist Jody Fisher are included along with opportunities to practice improvising with a real jazz combo

DVD length: 70 minutes

Beginning Acoustic Blues Guitar (Book & Cd)

ALFRED MUSIC
00-22866
9.03 X 0.30 X 11.97 Inches
0.78 Pounds
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
Amazon.com 9.68

Features

Used Book in Good Condition

Just For Fun -- Swing Jazz Mandolin: 12 Swing Era Classics From The Golden Age Of Jazz

ALFRED MUSIC
00-42572
8.80 X 0.30 X 11.70 Inches
0.39 Pounds
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
Amazon.com 9.68

Features

Just for Fun Swing Jazz Mandolin Book

Just for Fun: Swing Jazz Mandolin is designed for your total enjoyment

Each featured song is arranged in the authentic early jazz-era style, simplified just enough to keep it fun and easy, yet musically very satisfying

Standard notation, TAB, chords, lyrics, and a chord dictionary are included

Plus, ukulele, mandolin, and banjo books with matching arrangements are available---just for fun! Titles: Ain't Misbehavin' * Blue Moon * Bye Bye Blackbird * Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue * I'll See You in My Dreams * I'm in the Mood for Love * It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) * Makin' Whoopee * More Than You Know * Singin' in the Rain * Stars Fell on Alabama * When You're Smiling

#TOP20

Belwin's 21St Century Guitar Method 2: The Most Complete Guitar Course Available, Book & Cd (Belwin's 21St Century Guitar Course)

ALFRED
00-EL03843CD
9.00 X 0.25 X 12.00 Inches
0.40 Pounds
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
Amazon.com 9.68

Features

21st Century Guitar Method 2 Book/CD

Book 2 includes music theory; the keys of C, G and D; exploring the neck; second position; syncopation; rhythm and lead guitar techniques; cut time;, solo guitar style; and pop and classical songs like "Fur Elise," "Margaritaville," "Romanza," "Classical Gas

" Method Book available in 3 levels, as is the Theory, Song Trax, Rock Shop, and Guitar Ensemble books

Teacher's editions also available

Level One of the Method, Rock Shop, and Theory books are available in English and Spanish

Robben Ford -- The Blues And Beyond: Book & Online Audio

ALFRED
REHBK001CD
8.80 X 0.30 X 11.80 Inches
0.70 Pounds
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
Amazon.com 9.68

Features

Robben ford Blues and Beyond Book/CD

This book begins with basic blues concepts such as the pentatonic, mixolydian, and blues scales and builds on them, progressively incoporating more sophisticated scales and chord voicings

With lots of transcriptions and music examples, the book moves from basic 12-bar blues through gospel, jazz, and modal feels

This book begins with basic blues concepts such as the pentatonic, mixolydian, and blues scales and builds on them, progressively incoporating more sophisticated scales and chord voicings

With lots of transcriptions and music examples, the book moves from basic 12-bar blues through gospel, jazz, and modal feels

#TOP22

Alfred's Teach Your Child To Play Guitar, Bk 2: The Easiest Guitar Method Ever!, Book & Cd (Teach Your Child, Bk 2)

ALFRED MUSIC
00-42885
8.94 X 0.15 X 12.02 Inches
0.74 Pounds
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
Amazon.com 9.68

Features

Alfred's Teach Your Child to Play Guitar Book 2 & CD

Alfred's Teach Your Child To Play Guitar, Books 1 and 2, are designed for parents who want to share the gift of music with their children before they begin formal study with a professional teacher

They are based on Alfred's Kid's Guitar Course, a fun method that teaches students to play songs on the guitar right away

Families who are part of the homeschool movement especially will find the books useful

Using the same music and fundamentals included in the original editions, an easy and user-friendly Parent Guide precedes each student page to aid with teaching the music to the child

Guitar Chord & Fretboard Note Chart Instructional Easy 11"X17" Poster For Beginners Chords & Notes | A New Song Music |

A NEW SONG MUSIC
GUITAR-FRETCHORD
17.00 X 11.00 X 0.01 Inches
0.06 Pounds
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
A New Song Music 9.87

Features

🎸 Great learning tool for beginning and intermediate guitar players. The 11" x 17" instructional guide is nice to hang on the wall wherever you practice for easy reference, instead of flipping through a book. This chart includes the notes of the guitar displayed on the fretboard and a chord chart. The chord chart includes the most used major chords along with their minor and 7th chord variations. This information can be found in books, but rarely on one easy to read chart!

🎶 Master the guitar fretboard with the FRETBOARD DIAGRAM showing NOTE LOCATIONS on the fingerboard. This is great to help identify SCALE patterns and MEMORIZE the fretboard.

🪧 11" x 17" (27.94 cm x 43.18 cm) Instructional Guide - Not too Big and Not too Small for hanging on your practice wall!

🎸 CHORD CHART - 21 of the Most Used and Easy to play Major, Minor and 7th Chords.

📰 Heavy 80lb Glossy Paper - MADE IN THE USA

#TOP24

Laminated Guitar Americana Style Fretboard Notes & Easy Beginner Chord Chart Instructional Poster A New Song Music 11X17

A NEW SONG MUSIC
17.00 X 11.00 X 0.20 Inches
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
A New Song Music 9.87

Features

🎸 Great tool for BEGINNER and INTERMEDIATE guitar players. Nice to hang on the wall wherever you practice for easy reference, instead of flipping through a book. A MUST for ANY guitar player! This chart includes the notes of the guitar displayed on the fretboard and an easy chord chart. This information can be found in books, but rarely on one easy to read chart! Made in the USA

🎶 Master the guitar fretboard with the FRETBOARD DIAGRAM showing NOTE LOCATIONS on the fingerboard. This is great to help identify SCALE patterns and MEMORIZE the fretboard.

🪧 11" x 17" (27.94 cm x 43.18 cm) Instructional Guide - Not too Big and Not too Small for hanging on your practice wall!

📰 Laminated Premium Glossy Paper - Printed on a SUPERIOR 80lb Gloss Cover Paper stock and LAMINATED with a 3 Mil double sided sheet. The poster is durable and water resistant. Lamination allows you to use a dry erase marker to make notes or map out scales as you learn the guitar. Perfect for instructors who want to highlight chords or notes they may be teaching students.

🎸 CHORD CHART - 21 of the Most Used and Easy to play Major, Minor and 7th Chords. We've picked out the easiest ways to play the most commonly used chords. The poster was designed not to overwhelm the beginner with too many chords.

Barre Chords: A Beginner's Guide With Pop And Rock Hits Hal Leonard Guitar Method

HAL LEONARD
697406
9.00 X 0.13 X 12.00 Inches
0.48 Pounds
SELLER SELLER SCORE AMAZON FULFILLED PRIME FREE SHIPPING
Amazon.com 9.68

Features

Book/Online Audio

Pages: 48

Instrumentation: Guitar

Top 10 guitars books Brands on Amazon

Here is the list of top-rated brands that were evaluated by PM.

Brand Count
Alfred Music 6
A New Song Music 3
Alfred 3
Hal Leonard 3
Kavnlon 2
Backbeat 1
Brand: Backbeat Books 1
Brand: Native Ground Music 1
Brand: Native Ground Music, Inc. 1
Cherry Lane Music Company 1

Top 10 guitars books Brands Pie Chart


We've carried out a comprehensive analysis of 8,043 reviews on guitars books, using our selection criteria to identify the best options in the arts & photography. Our findings reveal that most customers typically select guitars books priced around $37.97, with top brands including hal leonard publishing corporation, hal leonard, independently published, createspace independent publishing platform, alfred music and steeplechase arts and www.fundamental-changes.com

Our team of expert editors reviewed these high-quality items and handpicked the top 25 guitars books for your consideration. We've also done extensive research on numerous sellers, identifying the best ones in the arts & photography category. These include and amazon.com and amazon.com services llc .

We are dedicated to assisting our users in finding the right guitars Products based on their needs, saving them considerable time when choosing which guitars books to buy. We take pride in the number of satisfied users we've helped through our thorough and insightful reviews.