The Best Songbooks for Guitar Pop Songs

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It’s no secret that learning to play the guitar is a lot more fun if you’re learning songs that you actually enjoy. The best songbooks for guitar pop songs include jams by bands like The Beatles, in addition to songs that teach you the basics of chords and fingering technique.

What Are the Best Guitar Pop Song Songbooks?

Many, perhaps even most, pop songs use just a few basic chords, commonly C, F, G, and A, which means that if you’re looking for a songbook to be able to play most of your favorite tunes, look for books that focus on these four chords, or at least give you a comprehensive look at these chords among others. Here’s what else to keep in mind.

Clarity: Perhaps the most important thing to think about when it comes to songbooks for beginner guitarists is how clear the lessons are laid out. This will of course differ from person to person based on learning style, but in general, and especially for students with little to no musical background, we appreciate simple lessons that begin teaching tunes and songs right away. Another important thing to consider are clear diagrams and included videos or audio that offer examples of how things should look and sound.

Songs: Many of our favorite lesson books include song libraries filled with classic faves, and more than just “Smoke on the Water.” This is mostly a matter of personal taste, of course, but it’s still a good idea to check the book’s song library to determine whether or you’re more interested in learning to play The Beach Boys or The White Stripes.

Focus and Method: Some lesson plans start teaching simple tunes right away, while other focus more on outlining the basics and allowing the learner to take it from there. Both methods will show you the ropes, but it’s up to you to decide which teaching style works best for you.