The Best Guitar Books To Teach Yourself Guitar In 2026
The guitar is an amazing instrument to learn.
And the great thing about guitar, is that no matter how old you are, it is an easy instrument we can all enjoy.
Whether you want to learn how to play simple chords to some popular songs, or expand your skill set and teach yourself some new licks; check out these great guitar books to get you started.
For the young children new to guitar…
My First Guitar
My First Guitar is a great book if you have young children who would love to learn how to play the guitar.
The book has simple diagrams and chords to learn, along with easy exercises for practice.
It has a variety of well known nursery rhymes such as ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ and ‘Old Macdonald Had A Farm.’
Kindle and paperback versions available
Review: 4.4/5
Easy Guitar Songs For Beginners
Once your little one has mastered the basics, from the My First Guitar book, this next one will be the icing on the cake. This guitar book has 60 fun and easy songs for your kids to learn.
From Hickory Dickory Dock to Rock-A-Bye Baby, your children will have many hours of fun learning them and putting on a little performance for you.
Paperback version available
Review: 4.9/5
For the older kids and adults new to guitar…
Teach Yourself To Play Guitar
This book has been designed especially for a student who has no musical background or knowledge.
You’re not required to read and understand sheet music, but it teaches you how to read guitar tabs and understand rhythm.
It also covers chords, scales, intervals and excerpts from a variety of musical styles.
Kindle and paperback versions available
Review: 4.3/5
Alfred’s Easy Guitar Songs
You’ve now mastered the basics when it comes to playing guitar, you’ve learned a lot of easy chords, and are familiar with intervals and scales. What next?
Well it’s time to put that knowledge into action by learning some easy guitar songs.
This easy guitar songs book contains 50 well-known, popular hits of the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s.
Each song has sheet music, and guitar tab along with their chords. It also includes information on strumming and fingerpicking patterns.
Paperback version available
Review: 4.1/5
For those who want a deeper understanding of guitar…
The Guitar Handbook
Not everyone wants to learn just the basics and be on their way. For those who want to have an in-depth look into guitars, the history, the guitar brands, famous guitarists as well as learn the instrument, then this book is perfect.
This book looks into the guitar innovators from the past century, types of guitar and brands, as well as playing techniques, different styles of rhythms and chord types.
Paperback version available
Review: 4.8/5
Justinguitar.com – Intermediate Method
This book is positioned more as a course to enable someone to take their guitar playing level from a beginner to an intermediate level.
You’ll learn more complex chords such as barre chords, new voicing for major and minor chords, more advanced rhythm guitar techniques, playing techniques such as hammer-ons etc. and much more.
The book also includes 2 CDs, and is complemented by the online videos at justinguitar.com.
Paperback version available
Review: 4.7/5
For the acoustic guitar learners…
100 Acoustic Lessons: Guitar Lesson Goldmine Series
This book gives you all the information you need to start strumming away on an acoustic guitar. Included are useful tips, scale diagrams, chords along with detailed photos and instructions. You’ll also learn how to read guitar tabs.
There are also some more advanced techniques in this book such as fingerpicking, advanced chords, alternative tuning, percussive techniques.
You’ll get the most out of your acoustic guitar with this book.
Paperback version available
Review: 4.5/5
First 50 Songs You Should Play On Acoustic Guitar
Once you understand the basics, and have built up some finger strength then it’s time to move onto learning some songs and having some fun by practicing.
This book contains modern popular songs covering a variety of genres from Boulevard of Broken Dreams to Ring of Fire.
Each song shows the strumming pattern with chord diagram, and the lyrics for you to be able to play along and sing along to.
Kindle and paperback versions available
Review: 4.1/5
For those who want to improve their fingerpicking skills…
Fingerpicking Pattern Encyclopedia
