Best Guitar Book for Beginners: 5 Picks for New Players

A first guitar and no clear starting point is a familiar moment, and the best guitar book for beginners is the one that matches the reader: a songbook for tunes right away, or a method for skills step by step. We compared five books on fit, contents, value, and listed age or level.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Beginner Guitar Lessons by Vogl	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Guitar for Kids by Schroedl	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Beginner Guitarist Playbook by Lopez	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Simple Songs by Hal Leonard	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
5	A Modern Method for Guitar by Leavitt	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Beginner Guitar Lessons by Vogl

Peter Vogl·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A step-by-step course for the absolute beginner, with online video access.

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Pros

• Over three hours of online HD video stated
• Standard notation and tablature both used
• Covers holding the guitar, chords and scales

Cons

• 55 pages, with video carrying much of the course
• No song list stated
• No publisher stated

2

Guitar for Kids by Schroedl

Jeff Schroedl·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A method for kids ages 6 and up, with lessons and online audio tracks.

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Pros

• Ages 6 and up stated
• More than 30 play-along demos online
• Easy open chords like C, G7, Em, G, D and A

Cons

• 32 pages, the fewest pages here
• Aimed at kids, so adults may want another book
• Demos need the online audio tracks

3

Beginner Guitarist Playbook by Lopez

Den Lopez·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A playbook for understanding how the guitar works, with color diagrams and video links.

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Pros

• More than 85 diagrams in color
• Video tutorial links included
• Big fonts for easy reading

Cons

• No reading age or grade level stated
• No song list stated
• 69 pages for chords, scales and songwriting

4

Simple Songs by Hal Leonard

Hal Leonard Corp.·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A songbook of 50 rock and pop hits with tabs, chords and lyrics.

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Pros

• 50 rock and pop hits with tabs, chords and lyrics
• Easy tablature and basic chords
• Familiar songs keep practice motivating

Cons

• A songbook, not a method course
• No video or audio stated
• No reading age or grade level stated

5

A Modern Method for Guitar by Leavitt

William Leavitt·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A Berklee method volume teaching theory, chords and scales.

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Pros

• Berklee theory, chords and scales
• 128 pages, the longest book here
• Book 1 of 3 in the series

Cons

• Published November 1, 1986, the oldest edition here
• Notation-based, no tablature stated
• No video or audio stated

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More picks to compare

• Guitar Chords for BeginnersFor beginners working through a 14-day chord programCheck on Amazon
• 150 Easy Guitar Songs by VanceFor adult beginners who want 150 easy songs with chordsCheck on Amazon
• Alfred's Basic Guitar Method by ManusFor beginning students starting a complete method with audioCheck on Amazon
• Learn to Play Guitar by HuntlyFor adults starting guitar with step-by-step lessonsCheck on Amazon
• Modern Guitar Method Grade 1 by BayFor beginners learning flatpick style in standard notationCheck on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 25 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit, contents and edition, value, and the listed age or level where one is given. Two of the five list an age or level: ages 6 and up, and absolute beginner. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best guitar book for beginners

Match the book to the reader

A child starting out fits the kids method for ages 6 and up, with play-along demos. An adult starting from zero fits the video course for absolute beginners, or the playbook with color diagrams. For more beginner music lists, see our best guitar workbook for beginners.

Songbook or method

A songbook suits a player who wants tunes right away: Simple Songs gives 50 hits with tabs, chords and lyrics. A method suits a player who wants skills in order: the Berklee volume teaches theory, chords and scales. For self-teaching lists, see our best guitar books for self teaching.

Before you buy

• Check the edition and date: the Berklee volume dates from November 1, 1986; the playbook from April 26, 2023.
• Check video or audio: online video access for the video course, online audio tracks for the kids method.
• Check the age or level: ages 6 and up, or absolute beginner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should a complete beginner start?

The video course is built for someone who has never played guitar before, with video access to show each step.

What age is the kids method for?

The listing states ages 6 and up.

Which book has songs to play right away?

Simple Songs gives 50 hits with tabs, chords and lyrics.

Still deciding? Our top pickBeginner Guitar Lessons by Vogl

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Related lists

See every Workbooks and Homeschool list.

More lists: best guitar workbook for beginners, best guitar books for self teaching, best ukulele book for beginners, best guitar method book for intermediate players.