Can You Learn Guitar by Reading Books? (Explained)

If you want to learn guitar you have probably wondered if you can just learn guitar by reading books. Can you rely just on guitar books to learn how to play?

In this article, we will go over some important questions about learning guitar by reading books, its advantages, and disadvantages.

Is it possible to learn guitar by reading books?

Yes, while books may seem like an outdated way to learn how to play musical instruments, you can still learn guitar by reading books. This will also depend on the guitar books you are using, and your previous knowledge of music and musical instruments.

While some guitar students might be able to pick up new songs, scales, and chords easily by reading a book, others may struggle. 

Playing guitar is also a very visual and auditive experience, and limiting yourself to just reading books on the subject could impact your progress.

At the start of your learning journey, you should focus on getting guitar lessons, and even learning by watching some videos online.

Guitar books are good to understand some introductory concepts, and they can be extremely helpful to more advanced players. Advanced players have a good grasp of music theory, and are able to execute and apply the teachings of the book much easier than a novice guitar player.

Do guitar books help?

Yes, guitar books can be extremely helpful, especially if you are trying to understand complex topics more related to music theory.

While they might not be so practical as guitar lessons and videos, they can still be incorporated into your learning process.

You also need to make sure that the guitar book you are reading is appropriate for your level of experience playing the instrument.

If you are a beginner, a book that is geared towards more experienced players may not be as useful. It is important to find a guitar book that is tailored to your skill level.

Is learning guitar by reading books worth it?

It depends mainly on the type of book, and how often you use it. If you are looking to learn specific things on the guitar, like techniques, a new music genre, or improvisation and composition – you should get a book on the topic.

Typically guitar students will feel more compelled to study and read guitar books if they talk about a niche topic they are passionate about. While those general books that cover many aspects tend to not cover some parts in a lot of detail.

Guitar books can be a valuable resource for learning or improving one’s guitar playing skills. 

Guitar books vary tremendously in terms of what they are able to teach. Some are just focused on beginner topics, like playing chords and learning simple scales and songs. 

While others go deeper into more complex music theory concepts, that can help experienced guitarists improve their playing. One example of this is Jazz guitar books, which tend to be the perfect way for guitar players to learn about this genre.

What book should I get to learn guitar?

The best book to learn guitar you can get is one that is tailored to your skill level. If you are a beginner, you will want a book that covers the basics, such as chords and melodies. 

If you are more experienced, you may want a book that focuses on more advanced techniques. Whatever your skill level, be sure to find a book that is easy to understand and follow.

Guitar books you should avoid

There are a few guitar books on the market that you should avoid if you want to improve your playing and your music theory knowledge. In particular, books that focus on teaching you how to play popular songs can be problematic. 

This is because they often rely on tablature (tabs), which shows you where to place your fingers on the fretboard to play a particular chord or melody line. While tabs can be a useful tool for beginners, they can also limit your progress as a player.

You should also avoid guitar books that are too complicated for your skill level because they will only stress you and make you feel overwhelmed.

Additionally, try to avoid any books promising you will become a rockstar in a matter of weeks. This is simply not true, and there are no tricks when it comes to learning guitar. There is no way to make you an experienced guitar player, and no methods other than practicing regularly and dedicating yourself to the fullest.

Should you learn guitar just by reading books?

No, when learning guitar you need to be able to use different learning methods to your advantage. Learning a musical instrument is a very sensational experience because you need to understand concepts, visualize how to do things, and finally hear yourself playing.

For this reason, the best way to learn is by combining all of the learning methods together to extract as much knowledge as possible.

Why it is important to combine different learning methods

First, you should start by taking guitar lessons, even if later on you want to learn without a teacher. You should also practice learning by ear because it will improve your musical hearing ability.

Finally, you also want to take advantage of both books and videos. Use these to learn things that you are really interested in like new songs and techniques.

Combining all of these learning methods will speed up your learning process, and it will allow you to make the most out of each and every learning method. It will ultimately make you a better player, musician, and student.