Best Guitar Music Theory Books You Need To Read

Have you ever encountered someone who said, that “music theory is hard”? Or a person telling you that they are more of a “by-ear” type of a musician, and they don’t need to learn any music theory? If only they get their hands on a Best Music Theory Book for guitar, their limiting beliefs will surely change.

Even the great Mozart who could very well be the most naturally gifted musician the world has ever known had to study music theory and composition for many years.

We have come up with 5 best books to learn to read music for guitar from well-known authors who know their craft. These are books on music theory that took years to write and it can only help you whether you are a beginner or an advanced guitar player who wants to fine-tune your knowledge and skills.

Top 5 Best Music Theory Book for Guitar

1. The Guitar Handbook: A Unique Source Book for the Guitar Player

This is one of the most complete handbooks any guitar player can wish for. Ralph Denyer can explain chords, scales, and guitar music theory concepts clearly and concisely. The illustrations are simple yet extremely helpful. This book encompasses 10 years of technological change in recording and amplification.

Some of the topics contained in the book are the following:

• History of the guitar
• Biographies of famous/influential guitarists
• How guitars are made/how they work
• Music theory and how it applies to guitar playing
• Basic skills
• Intermediate and advanced techniques for different music styles

This guitar handbook is one of the best and it’s the quickest way to reference chords and scales.

It doesn’t talk down to the reader it motivates them to extract as much information they can from this book to improve their playing skills and knowledge.

It’s a well-rounded book that touches on the different styles of guitar players, construction or anatomy of guitars, etc. What most readers will appreciate is the “Playing Guitar” section, where tuning, technique, scales, chords, and so much more are comprehensively explained.

2. The Practical Guide to Modern Music Theory for Guitarists

Written by Joseph Alexander, a guitarist and expert music tutor for over 20 years. His guitar instruction books have been published in four different languages and have sold over 350,000 copies to worldwide critical acclaim.

This Practical Guide to Modern Music Theory for Guitarists, explains in a very clear and comprehensive way on how music works. From the difference between a minor and major scale, to how chords are built, common chord progressions and so much more.

Even those who have already ample knowledge about how music works are surprised how they get a new and fresh perspective of things that they already know.

The straightforward and very clear explanations on different subjects related to music theory make this a go-to-book for any guitarists who are serious in improving their skills and knowledge.

Joseph Alexander is a prolific author having written 30 guitar guides. He breaks down each concept in an easy-to-understand example that some readers have learned to appreciate. He emphasizes that music theory for guitar enhances one’s playing and listening to music, which adds to new ideas and promotes creativity in a fun way.

3. Fretboard Theory (Volume 1) Paperback

Rolling stone magazine hailed guitarist Desi Serna as a “music-theory expert”. He is also the author of the popular “Guitar Theory For Dummies” (also on our review list), and “Guitar Rhythm and Technique For Dummies”.

This book as the title suggests, focuses on the guitar fretboard and emphasis on popular songs.

Fretboard Theory will teach you how to play in the style of pop, rock, acoustic, blues, and many more. It boasts of being the only guitar theory resource in the world that includes important details to hundreds of popular songs.

This is an absolute must to add to any serious guitarist’s library. This is easily one of the most comprehensive guitar guidebooks that give a detailed explanation of the theory behind it. Desi Serna has a great way of explaining complex things in a simple and understandable and even relatable way.

This book is a steal and the hours of free online audio instruction and song learning videos are available to supplement the book. Also, free tabs and play-along backing tracks are available too through the instructions in the book.

4. Guitar Fretboard Workbook 2nd Edition

A very thorough book that fully explains music theory in a straight forward manner. The focus is on the fretboard where the notes are and how they relate to each other. It covers everything one needs for a rock-solid foundation.

This book will help you grasp the full essence of the guitar and allow you to communicate with other musicians regardless of their instrument.

The book deals with the theory and does a commendable job of explaining it well. This is another go-to-book that you use bit by bit when you need to go back to old material and refresh your knowledge. It’s a book that you keep handy ready to be referenced at any time.

Breaking down a complex subject and then turning it into an easy to understand the concept is one of the admirable skill of the author. It’s no surprise as Barrett Tagliarino has been a Musicians Institute instructor in Hollywood since 1989, and was Rock Department Head at Hohner Musikschule in Vienna, Austria. He has honed his teaching skills and applied them to this book.

5. Guitar Theory for Dummies Paperback

This is geared more towards the intermediate or advanced guitar players. It is a clear and concise book explaining in clear and simple terms CAGED systems, among others. The explanation of a major and minor aspect of the Pentatonic Scale. Desi Serna explains all this in a very effective way without talking down to the readers.

It goes beyond guitar basics that’s why intermediate to advanced players will benefit more from this book.

Those who wish to improve on their improvisational and compositional skills will find this book extremely helpful. Here are just some of the topics tackled in the book:

• Pentatonic and major scale patterns
• The CAGED chord system,
• Chord progressions, and playing by numbers;
• Roots, keys, and applying scales, plus modes and modal scales;
• Intervals and chord extensions;
• Popular song references and theory applications

If you already understand basic music theory for guitar players and want to know more advanced knowledge or if you are ready to step up and reach for the next level and also need the best music theory book for self-study, Guitar Theory For Dummies will definitely up your game.

Now that we have listed 5 of the Best Music Theory Book For Guitar, let’s answer some of the most asked questions regarding music theory:

What is Music Theory for Guitar?

According to Wikipedia, music theory is the study of the practices and possibilities of music. As a practical discipline, it encompasses wide-ranging topics from methods to concepts and much more.

Music theory for guitar tackles scales and key signatures, intervals, triads, Pentatonic scales, modes, and modal harmony, chord/scale relationships, and many more.

It is frequently referenced on how musicians and composers play and create music. Many cultures dating as far back as Mesopotamia and ancient China produced music theory through writings that have been documented, providing solid proof that it has existed for thousands of years.

How to Learn Music Theory for Guitar?

The best way to learn music theory for guitar is through books that have been written by authorities on the subject. The internet is an alternative source but the proliferation of unqualified “gurus” may only cause harm than good.

Known experts on this field have spent years of research and actual application that they’ve consolidated and made into guides, handbooks, and guitar theory books for beginners and advanced guitar players. These are invaluable resources that have helped so many beginners and even professional guitarists for years.

A systematic and comprehensive music theory guide for a guitar made by true experts can never be surpassed by internet “gurus” who at best can only give piecemeal information. Worse, they can harm the style of play by guitar players by providing false concepts and information.

Do You Need to Know or Learn Music Theory to Play the Guitar?

No, as there are guitar players who have learned to play the guitar by self-taught or “by-ear” methods. However, one cannot argue that learning music theory for guitar is a great advantage for all regardless of their level of skills. As the saying goes “knowledge is power” and it is just the same in this area.

How does Music Theory Help a Guitar Player?

Music theory helps a guitar player by providing him the rationale behind all concepts about guitar playing. Knowing the right notes, chord progression, pentatonic scale, triads, modes, etc. will make him understand and appreciate music more than not knowing them.

Many guitar players who shun music theory initially, and then decided to learn it was thankful that they did. Most of them attribute the vast improvement in the way they approach their music once they’ve understood the music theory which they initially thought unnecessary.

Conclusion

Great guitar players who never studied music theory for guitars are the exception rather than the norm. It’s hard to argue that gaining extensive knowledge about a particular subject makes you an authority. Music is no exception.

Music theory for guitar players gives them a distinct and obvious advantage over those who have no idea about how music is made. Some will say it’s unnecessary, or that it’s only a “waste of time”.

The reality is, some of those who don’t want to learn are intimidated by what they think is a complex matter. Only to find out later on that it’s not as complex after all once they open up their minds.

Originally published at https://guitartopreview.com on February 20, 2020.