The best electric guitar sheet music depends on your playing level and whether you want rock riffs, familiar pop songs, or straightforward chord arrangements. First 50 Songs You Should Play on Electric Guitar is aimed at beginner and intermediate rock players, while Simple Songs focuses on accessible pop and rock hits. The selections below also include classic-rock material, an electric guitar learning book, and a large collection of easy songs for adult beginners.
| Book | Best For | Listed Format |
|---|---|---|
| First 50 Songs You Should Play on Electric Guitar | Rock riffs, solos, and chords | Paperback |
| Simple Songs | Accessible pop and rock songs | Paperback |
| Rolling Stone Guitar Classics, Volume 2 | Easy classic-to-modern rock TAB | Paperback |
| The Best Guitar Book for Beginners: Electric Guitar 1 | Beginning electric guitar and favorite songs | Paperback |
| 150 Easy Guitar Songs for Adult Beginners | Simple-chord song practice | Not specified |
First 50 Songs You Should Play on Electric Guitar
This Hal Leonard paperback is best for beginner and intermediate players who want to learn recognizable rock guitar parts. Its listed content includes 50 songs, with riffs, solos, and chords associated with artists such as Nirvana, Metallica, and Queen. The range of material makes it a practical choice for players who want to work on more than chord accompaniment.
Why it stands out: The book is explicitly focused on electric guitar and combines several kinds of playable material in one songbook. Choose it if your priority is classic rock and guitar-driven songs. It may be less suitable if you want only very simple chord-and-lyrics arrangements or a structured step-by-step course.
Simple Songs: The Easiest Easy Guitar Songbook Ever
Simple Songs is best for new players, students, teachers, and self-learners looking for familiar pop and rock material. The listing describes 50 popular hits presented with tabs, chords, and lyrics. Those elements give beginners several ways to follow a song and practice playing along.
Why it stands out: It emphasizes easy arrangements and includes lyrics alongside guitar information, which may help learners connect chord changes to song structure. Choose it if accessible popular songs matter more than a specifically electric-guitar or solo-focused collection. Its beginner-oriented approach may not provide the challenge an experienced player wants.
Rolling Stone Guitar Classics, Volume 2
This Alfred Music paperback is best for guitarists interested in well-known songs spanning classic rock to modern rock. The listing identifies the book as a selection from Rolling Stone magazine’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and describes its arrangements as Easy Guitar TAB.
Why it stands out: Its editorial focus and TAB format make it a useful pick for players who want rock standards without choosing a book devoted to one artist. Choose it if song selection across different rock eras is a priority. Because it is labeled easy guitar TAB, players seeking advanced transcriptions or detailed instruction may want a more specialized book.
The Best Guitar Book for Beginners: Electric Guitar 1
Dan Spencer’s paperback is best for beginners who want an electric-guitar-focused starting point and a connection to songs they recognize. The title describes a book about playing favorite songs and guitar solos. That combination may appeal to learners who want their practice to include both song material and lead-guitar playing.
Why it stands out: Unlike general song collections, this book is specifically presented as an electric guitar beginner book. Choose it if you are starting on electric guitar and want a resource that includes songs and solos. The listing does not specify a song count or detailed notation format, so check the book description if those details are essential to your choice.
150 Easy Guitar Songs for Adult Beginners
Willy Vance’s collection is best for adult beginners who want a large selection of familiar songs built around a few simple chords. The title describes 150 favorites and says the arrangements are intended for players who do not read music, with easy strumming. This makes it a different kind of option from books centered on electric-guitar riffs or TAB.
Why it stands out: Its stated emphasis is song volume and approachable chord-based playing. Choose it if you want to begin with simple strumming rather than reading notation. It may be less appropriate if your main goal is learning electric-guitar solos, detailed riffs, or TAB-based parts.
Buying Guide: How To Choose Electric Guitar Sheet Music
Do you want riffs, solos, or chord arrangements?
Match the book to the type of playing you want to practice. For rock riffs and solos, consider the electric-guitar-focused collections. For simpler accompaniment, look for books that emphasize easy chords, lyrics, and strumming. TAB can help players follow fret positions without relying only on standard notation.
How should you choose for your skill level?
Look for clear level labels such as beginner, intermediate, or easy. A beginner title is a sensible starting point if you are building basic skills; an intermediate collection may be more suitable if you can already change chords and play simple parts. The word “easy” does not guarantee that every song will feel equally easy to every player.
Does the book need to be electric-guitar specific?
Choose a book that names electric guitar if you want material selected for that instrument or want electric-guitar playing in the title’s focus. General guitar songbooks can still provide chord practice, but their descriptions may not promise electric-specific riffs or solos. Review the listed notation and song content before deciding.
What should you check before buying?
- Whether the book includes TAB, chords, lyrics, or another format you can use.
- Whether its song selection matches your preferred genres and artists.
- Whether it focuses on solos and riffs or on chord-based accompaniment.
- Whether the title describes a song collection, a beginner resource, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best electric guitar sheet music for beginners?
Choose a book labeled for beginners with accessible songs and a format you can follow. Simple Songs offers tabs, chords, and lyrics, while The Best Guitar Book for Beginners: Electric Guitar 1 is specifically presented as an electric-guitar beginner book.
Is guitar TAB useful if I cannot read standard notation?
TAB is a way to represent guitar parts using string and fret information. Several books in this list mention TAB, making them options to consider if you prefer that format.
Which book is best for learning rock riffs and solos?
First 50 Songs You Should Play on Electric Guitar is a strong match based on its stated focus on rock riffs, solos, and chords.
Are these books suitable for acoustic guitar?
Some titles describe general guitar songs or chord arrangements, but the provided listings do not establish compatibility for every arrangement. Check the book’s contents if you specifically need acoustic-guitar material.
Which option has the most songs?
150 Easy Guitar Songs for Adult Beginners has the largest stated collection, with 150 songs described in its title.