Recommended Guitar Books
Although we can learn a lot from the internet there’s still some great guitar books out there.
Here are my favourites:
Fingerpicking Pop Hits
This book got me started with fingerpicking instrumentals. It’s a great mid level beginners book that has 15 classic songs.
I like this book so much that I’ve made a video review: How To Captivate An Audience With Fingerstyle Guitar
Martin Simpson Teaches Alternate Tunings
When you’ve been playing guitar a little while you’ll evetually experiment with alternate tunings. They can offer something new and fresh to our guitar sound.
This book is a fantastic introduction and practical application into this alternate world. With useful theory related explanations and Martin’s wonderful original songs.
For me this book was most useful with creativity. Once you learn some common chord shapes you can really experiment with new voices on guitar.
Acoustic Hit Songs (Little Black Book Series)
If you’re a singing guitarist and you’re looking for some all time classic songs to expand your repertoire then this book is for you. It has the chords and the lyrics, so you need to know a few rhythm patterns to use with each song. I’ve made a tutorial to help you out with this: 5 Essential Rhythm Guitar Patterns – Video Lesson
Music Theory - Guitar Method
Music theory has always eluded me. In my first 7 years of learning I didn’t care how a C chord was made, I just wanted to play it. This book changed everything. It goes to great lengths to show you how to make the theory relevant to guitar playing. It uses simple terms, practical tests, and the CD is very helpful.
Solo Pieces For Acoustic Guitar - Volume 1
Another finger style book that I enjoy playing through. The book pictured is Volume 1, but there’s also a Volume 2. These 2 books are more intermediate than Fingerpicking Pop Hits, but they have some great interpretations, such as Hallelujah, Mad World, Brown Eyed Girl and Nothing Else Matters.
Fingerstyle Blues Songbook
If you love fingerstyle blues (which for many it’s a passion) then this book is for you.
Some fantastic fun and memorable songs in this. Both middle beginner and intermediate players are catered for.
There’s even lessons on slide and bottleneck blues guitar.
Fingerpicking Celtic Folk
This book is like an old friend to me…
Some wonderful fingerstyle arrangements for middle beginner and intermediate players.
My personal fvaourites are Carrickfergus (made a lesson for that one!) O My Love Is Like a Red, Red Rose and Sheebeg and Sheemore.
You’ve also got the classics like Danny Boy and Scarborough Fair.