Are you tired of just strumming the same old chords on your guitar? Do you want to take your playing to the next level and truly understand the underlying principles of music theory?
Whether you’re a beginner looking to get a solid foundation in music theory or an experienced guitarist seeking to expand your knowledge and skills, these books will provide you with invaluable insights and techniques. From learning the basics of scales and chord progressions to delving into advanced topics like modes and harmony, each book offers a unique perspective on the art and science of guitar playing.
So, whether you’re into rock, jazz, blues, or classical guitar, there’s a book on this list that will suit your interests and help you become a better musician. So, let’s dive in and explore the top 10 best guitar music theory books in 2024.
1. Music Theory for Guitarists
- Tablature: Yes
- 104 pages
- Size: 12″ x 9″
If you’re a guitarist looking to deepen your understanding of music theory, “Music Theory for Guitarists” is a classic book that should be on your radar. This comprehensive guide takes you from the basics of music theory to more advanced concepts like diatonic seventh chords. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced guitarist, you’ll be blown away by the content.
One of the standout features of the book is the audio component, which was originally provided on a physical CD but can now be accessed online through Hal Leonard’s website. The audio tracks are a fantastic tool for ear training and help you to reinforce the concepts you learn in the book. With this book in hand, you’ll be well on your way to mastering music theory in the context of the guitar.
2. No Bull Music Theory for Guitarists
- Shipway, James (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 107 Pages – 03/25/2019 (Publication Date) – Headstock Books (Publisher)
If you’re a beginner guitarist who has always wanted to learn music theory, “No Bull Music Theory for Guitarists” is a book that lives up to its name. Author James Shipway promises no nonsense and delivers on that promise, making this book an excellent choice for anyone who wants to learn the fundamentals of music theory without getting bogged down in unnecessary details.
Shipway breaks down music theory into digestible components that are easy to understand, even if you have no prior knowledge of the subject. He focuses on what is practically applicable to a guitarist and provides tips and tricks that will help you improve your playing and understanding of music.
It should be noted, however, that “No Bull” may not be appropriate for advanced guitar theory students, as it intentionally lacks some of the detail and intricacies necessary for a deeper understanding of music theory. If you’re looking for a comprehensive guide to music theory, this may not be the book for you.
However, if you’re a beginner or an intermediate player looking to improve your skills, No Bull Music Theory for Guitarists is an excellent resource that will help you get right to the point and start making progress immediately.
3. The Practical Guide to Modern Music Theory for Guitarists
- Alexander, Mr Joseph (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 112 Pages – 11/20/2014 (Publication Date) – www.fundamental-changes.com (Publisher)
For guitarists who are already familiar with music theory and want to take their understanding to the next level, “The Practical Guide to Modern Music Theory for Guitarists” is an excellent resource. This book takes a thorough approach to guitar theory and dives deep into concepts that may scare off beginners or those new to music theory.
But if you’re willing to put in the effort, it provides a wealth of information that can help you become a better and more experienced musician. The book also includes over 200 downloadable audio tracks that serve as excellent accompaniments and examples.
While it may not be the best choice for beginners, it’s a valuable resource for anyone who already has a solid foundation in music theory and wants to take their knowledge to the next level. Using this book as your guide, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of how music theory applies specifically to guitar playing.
So if you’re ready to dive deep into the world of guitar theory, “The Practical Guide to Modern Music Theory for Guitarists” is the book for you.
4. Guitar Fretboard: Memorize the Fretboard In Less Than 24 Hours
- Head, Guitar (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 78 Pages – 05/13/2018 (Publication Date) – CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (Publisher)
If you’re a guitarist who wants to improve your playing without spending a lot of time on music theory then “Guitar Fretboard” is a book you should definitely keep an eye on. This book is perfect for anyone who wants to jam and play solo without spending countless hours memorizing chords and notes.
The book teaches you how to recognize patterns on the fretboard and introduces mnemonic devices like “Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie” to help you remember important information. While mastering the fretboard in less than a day may be a lofty goal, but “Guitar Fretboard” can certainly help you take a step in that direction.
Although memorizing the fretboard may seem like an indirect way to learn guitar theory, it’s a useful skill for any level of guitarist. With this book as your guide, you’ll learn how to quickly and reliably find the notes and chords you need to take your playing to the next level.
So whether you’re a beginner or an experienced guitarist, this book is a valuable resource that can help you improve your skills and become a more confident musician.
5. Guitar Theory: Straight Talking Music Theory for Guitarists
- Nichols, Lee (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 116 Pages – 12/11/2018 (Publication Date) – Independently published (Publisher)
If you’re a beginner on the guitar and want to gain a basic understanding of music theory, “Guitar Theory” is a must-read book. This straightforward and concise guide takes readers on a “crash course” through the essentials of guitar theory focusing on big-picture concepts that will help you understand the why behind what you play.
It provides a comprehensive overview of key concepts such as the circle of fifths, scales, intervals and chord progressions. Additionally, “Guitar Theory” includes a link to audio downloads that serve as great examples and accompaniments for the content covered in the book.
Overall, “Guitar Theory” is an excellent resource for anyone looking to develop a true understanding of music theory. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced player looking to brush up on the fundamentals, this book will prepare you for more advanced concepts down the road. So if you’re ready to take your playing to the next level, it’s a great place to start.
6. The Chord Wheel
- The Chord Wheel
- Master chord theory
- in minutes! The Chord Wheel is a revolutionary device that puts the most essential and practical applications of chord theory into your hands
For guitarists looking for a practical tool, “The Chord Wheel” is an excellent choice. This booklet is a revolutionary tool that brings essential and practical applications of chord theory right to your fingertips. With this book, you’ll learn to understand keys like never before, and you’ll be able to transpose any progression to any key instantly.
Although it doesn’t contain much in the way of instructions or background theory, it’s a practical tool that can help you improve your musical understanding quickly and easily. You don’t need to know how to read music to use this device – just a desire to improve your playing and understanding of music.
With “The Chord Wheel” you’ll be able to master chord theory in minutes and take your playing to the next level. So if you’re a guitarist looking for a practical and effective tool to improve your skills, this is a great choice.
7. Vaideology: Basic Music Theory for Guitar Players
- Pages: 96
- Instrumentation: Guitar
- Vai, Steve (Author)
For modern guitarists looking to expand their knowledge of music theory, “Vaideology” by guitar legend Steve Vai is undeniably an excellent resource.
While perhaps not the best choice for beginners, this book offers a unique perspective on guitar theory that is both engaging and informative.
One of the standout features of this book is the bonus theory that Vai includes, covering topics such as musical composition that may not be included in more rudimentary guitar theory tutorials. While this bonus material may not be necessary for every guitarist, it can be a valuable resource for those looking to take their playing to the next level.
All in all, it’s a book that is definitely worth owning for the modern guitarist looking to expand their understanding of music theory. With Steve Vai’s expertise and insight, you’ll gain a unique perspective on the art and science of guitar playing that can help you become a better and more experienced musician.
So, if you’re ready to take your playing to the next level, “Vaideology” is an excellent resource that definitely deserves your attention.
8. The Complete Technique, Theory, and Scales Compilation for Guitar
- Alexander, Mr Joseph (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 286 Pages – 11/03/2014 (Publication Date) – CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (Publisher)
If you’re a guitarist looking for a comprehensive resource to improve, “The Complete Technique, Theory, and Scales Compilation for Guitar” is a book definitely worth considering. It’s more expensive than many other guitar theory books, but that is because it combines three books into one.
The second and third parts of the book are especially relevant for guitarists who want to expand their understanding of music theory. The part on scales is an excellent reference for guitarists with prior knowledge of theory and includes background music for each chord. The theory section covers all topics from beginner to advanced and provides valuable insight into the art and science of guitar playing.
Overall, “The Complete Technique, Theory, and Scales Compilation for Guitar” is a valuable resource for any guitarist looking to take their playing to the next level. The price may be higher than other books, but the content makes it a worthwhile investment.
So if you’re looking for a comprehensive guide to technique, theory, and scales, this is an excellent choice.
9. Guitar Scales Handbook
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Ferrante, Damon (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
If you prefer to learn via video, the Guitar Scales Handbook by Damon Ferrante may be a good choice for you. Its 100 lessons come with accompanying videos to bring the guitar theory to life in a way that print alone can’t accomplish.
There’s not a lot of explanation provided, but with some background knowledge, this handbook is useful as a reference for scales on the guitar.
10. Guitar: The Circle of Fifths for Guitarists
- Alexander, Mr Joseph (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 66 Pages – 10/18/2016 (Publication Date) – www.fundamental-changes.com (Publisher)
And finally, The Circle of Fifths For Guitarists focuses on the development of a conceptual understanding of guitar theory based on the fundamental circle of fifths. Its clear focus makes it an easy-to-understand yet crucially helpful primer for music theory.
This book is suitable for beginners but for anyone looking to connect an understanding of music theory with the guitar fretboard. The circle of fifths makes any key understandable, and best of all, that knowledge can serve as a foundation across instruments. With bonus audio backing tracks included, this one is a great buy.
Conclusion: Which One Should You Buy?
That about wraps up our guide to different music theory books for guitarists. We hope it helps you narrow down which one to go for.
The perfect guitar theory book for you depends on what you’re looking for, of course, but in our opinion, one of the best is Music Theory for Guitarists. It has all of the basics and provides you with the stepping stones to move on to other theory books.
If you’re already at a little more advanced level, Vaideology will help you grow as a guitarist and as a musician.
