Best Music Instruction & Study Books of 2025

Wilson Cook
Last Updated: Apr 24, 2023

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Music instruction and study books are a valuable resource for musicians of all skill levels. These books provide comprehensive instruction on music theory, instrument technique, and performance skills. Whether you are a beginner just starting out or a seasoned professional looking to improve your skills, there is a book available to help you achieve your musical goals. From classical to contemporary music, there are books available for every genre and style. With clear instructions, helpful illustrations, and practice exercises, music instruction and study books are an essential tool for any musician looking to improve their craft.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

#TOP 1
Level 1 - Lesson Book: Piano Adventures
ftb score rating icon 9.9
#TOP 2
Primer Level - Lesson Book: Piano Adventures
ftb score rating icon 9.8
#TOP 3
Level 2A - Lesson Book: Piano Adventures
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Music Instruction & Study Books

Level 1 - Lesson Book: Piano Adventures

Faber, Nancy
Faber, Randall
Faber Piano Adventures
Jan 1, 1996
Level 1 - Lesson Book: Piano Adventures
ftb score rating icon 9.9
FTB Score

The Level 1 Lesson Book from Faber Piano Adventures is an excellent resource for beginner pianists. It covers all the notes of the grand staff, chord playing, and the concept of tonic and dominant notes. The book also introduces legato and staccato touches, reinforcing reading skills and recognizing intervals through the 5th. The fresh and musically appealing 5-finger approach is presented here, making it easier for students to learn. The interval orientation to reading across the full range of the Grand Staff is also continued. Overall, this book is a great starting point for those who want to learn piano and build a strong foundation in music.

Primer Level - Lesson Book: Piano Adventures

Faber, Nancy
Faber, Randall
Faber Piano Adventures
Jan 1, 1996
Primer Level - Lesson Book: Piano Adventures
ftb score rating icon 9.8
FTB Score

The Primer Level Lesson Book by Faber Piano Adventures introduces the keyboard, note values, and the grand staff to beginners. The book is organized into units that represent the major concepts and skills, with earlier concepts and skills constantly reviewed as new units are introduced. Musicianship is built through the use of dynamics and coloristic experimentation with the pedal. Nancy and Randall Faber, the authors of the Piano Adventures teaching method, are internationally known for their over two hundred publications for the piano. Overall, the Primer Level Lesson Book is an excellent resource for beginners, with its clear and organized approach to learning the basics of piano playing.

#TOP 3

Level 2A - Lesson Book: Piano Adventures

Faber, Nancy
Faber, Randall
Faber Piano Adventures
Jan 1, 1997
Level 2A - Lesson Book: Piano Adventures
ftb score rating icon 9.6
FTB Score

The Level 2A Lesson Book from the Faber Piano Adventures series is a great resource for students who have completed Level 1. This book introduces eighth note rhythm patterns, functional harmony, and musical phrases, and also helps students develop their intervallic reading skills. The book features a variety of appealing repertoire, including classic pieces from great composers and original compositions. The book encourages students to explore dynamic and tempo variations, further developing their musical expression. Overall, the Level 2A Lesson Book is a valuable addition to any piano student's library, offering a comprehensive and engaging approach to learning.

#TOP 4

Level 1 - Theory Book: Piano Adventures

Nancy Faber
Faber Piano Adventures
Jan 1, 1993
Level 1 - Theory Book: Piano Adventures
ftb score rating icon 9.4
FTB Score

The Level 1 - Theory Book: Piano Adventures by Faber Piano Adventures is an excellent resource for beginner piano learners. This book provides a comprehensive guide to basic theory concepts, including note-naming, improvisation, and ear-training activities, all presented in a fun-filled context. The book is thematically tied to the Level 1 Lesson Book pieces, making it easy for students to apply their knowledge. Written by a husband and wife team, Nancy and Randall Faber, who are renowned authors of the Piano Adventures teaching method, this book is a must-have for any piano student. Overall, it is a highly recommended book for beginners who want to master the basics of piano theory.

Level 2B - Lesson Book: Piano Adventures

Faber, Nancy
Faber, Randall
Faber Piano Adventures
Jan 1, 1997
Level 2B - Lesson Book: Piano Adventures
ftb score rating icon 9.2
FTB Score

The Level 2B Lesson Book by Faber Piano Adventures is a great resource for piano students who want to learn scales, primary chords, and transposition in the keys of C, G, and F major. With nine new songs and enhanced arrangements of favorite pieces, this 2nd Edition book offers a systematic approach to music theory. The "Scale and Chord Adventures" appendix also allows for flexibility in exploring major and minor scales and chords in all twelve keys. Overall, this book is an excellent addition to any piano student's library and is sure to enhance their skills and knowledge in a fun and engaging way.

Suzuki Violin School, Vol 1: Violin Part

Suzuki, Shinichi
Alfred Music
Apr 1, 1995
Suzuki Violin School, Vol 1: Violin Part
ftb score rating icon 9.2
FTB Score

The Suzuki Violin School, Vol 1: Violin Part is an essential guide for anyone interested in learning how to play the violin using the Suzuki Method®. This book features a revised edition of Suzuki's original lessons, including bowings and fingerings, as well as additional exercises and insight for teachers. With text available in English, French, German, and Spanish, this book is perfect for violin students around the world. The book includes a variety of classical and folk songs, making it a great resource for both beginners and advanced players. Overall, this book is an excellent choice for anyone looking to learn the violin through the Suzuki Method®.

Guitar Fretboard: Memorize The Fretboard In Less Than 24 Hours: 35+ Tips And Exercises Included

Head, Guitar
CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
May 13, 2018
Guitar Fretboard: Memorize The Fretboard In Less Than 24 Hours: 35+ Tips And Exercises Included
ftb score rating icon 9.1
FTB Score

The book "Guitar Fretboard: Memorize The Fretboard In Less Than 24 Hours: 35+ Tips And Exercises Included" offers a comprehensive guide to mastering the fretboard in a short amount of time. The author explains why memorizing the fretboard is essential for improving guitar playing and offers practical exercises to achieve this skill. The book covers various areas, including scales, chords, songwriting, and improvisation. This book is a must-read for any guitarist looking to take their playing to the next level.

#TOP 8

Adult Piano Adventures All-in-One Piano Course Book 1 - Book With Media Online

Faber, Nancy
Faber, Randall
Faber Piano Adventures
Jan 1, 2002
Adult Piano Adventures All-in-One Piano Course Book 1 - Book With Media Online
ftb score rating icon 9.1
FTB Score

The Adult Piano Adventures All-in-One Piano Course Book 1 is a comprehensive guide for adult beginners to learn and play piano while developing musical understanding. It includes lessons, technique, and theory in a single volume for ease of use. The book presents the fundamentals of music notation, chord playing, and musical form. The redesigned layout improves information hierarchy, putting focus on key concepts and step-by-step learning. The inclusion of online support with over two hours of instructional videos and audio accompaniment tracks makes it easier for learners to follow along. The book is suitable for anyone who wants to learn to play the piano for pleasure.

Level 1 - Performance Book: Piano Adventures

Faber, Nancy
Faber, Randall
Faber Piano Adventures
Jan 1, 1996
Level 1 - Performance Book: Piano Adventures
ftb score rating icon 8.9
FTB Score

The Level 1 - Performance Book: Piano Adventures by Faber Piano Adventures is a collection of 24 pieces that reinforce the concepts taught in the Level 1 Lesson Book. The book includes a variety of musical styles and discovery questions that encourage students to explore the music in a new light. Written by the husband and wife team Nancy and Randall Faber, who are both well-known authors in the piano teaching community, this book is a great addition to any student's collection.

PlayTime Piano Disney: Level 1

Faber, Nancy
Faber, Randall
Faber Piano Adventures
Jul 1, 2018
PlayTime Piano Disney: Level 1
ftb score rating icon 8.7
FTB Score

This book, PlayTime Piano Disney: Level 1, is a great resource for beginner pianists who are also Disney fans. The book includes contemporary and classic Disney hits arranged for Level 1 pianists, with inspiring songs from blockbusters such as Coco, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, and more. Students can build their confidence in reading notes, intervals, and basic rhythms while playing these popular songs. The book is published by Faber Piano Adventures and is part of the Musicals & Film Songbooks category. Overall, this book is a fun and engaging way for young pianists to learn while playing their favorite Disney songs.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can you learn music theory from books?

Written by Andrew Surmani, Karen Farnum Surmani and Morton Manus, Alfred's Essentials of Music Theory is a go-to guide for those looking to learn music theory. This book includes two ear training CDs, which can help you understand the concepts better and put your knowledge to use.

2. What are method books in music?

A method book is a kind of textbook for a particular musical instrument. There are method books that help to address certain problems or techniques relevant to the given instrument.

3. Does Barnes and Noble sell music books?

Explore our wide selection of sheet music books and songbooks at Barnes & Noble. From sheet music for a variety of instruments including piano, flute, and guitar to popular lyric books by musicians like The Beatles, Harry Styles, and Joni Mitchell, we have music books for everyone.

Editor's Notes

During our music instruction & study book research, we found 1,200+ music instruction & study book products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 60,106 customer reviews through our big data system to write the music instruction & study books list. We found that most customers choose music instruction & study books with an average price of $6.60.

Written by

Wilson Cook is a talented writer who has an MFA in creative writing from Williams College and has published more than 50 books acquired by hundreds of thousands of people from various countries by now. He is an inveterate reading lover as he has read a vast amount of books since childhood.