5 Must-Have Books For Guitar Teachers in 2023

Even as teachers, we’re still learning. From discovering new teaching methods, ways of practicing, or business skills, reading books can help you improve as a guitar teacher and a business owner.

5 Must-Have Books For Guitar Teachers in 2023

There are many books for guitar teachers, covering topics from teaching methods to business strategies. Whether you’re new to guitar teaching or a seasoned pro, books can always provide you with valuable insights and techniques that can help you become a more effective and successful teacher.

Keep reading for the collection of guitar and teaching books that we see as essential for any guitar teacher who wants to take their teaching skills to the next level or build and grow successful teaching practices.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

  1. The Importance Of Ongoing Musical Development
  2. You Are A Business Owner!
  3. The Dynamic Studio by Phillip Johnson
  4. The Advancing Guitarist by Mick Goodrick
  5. The Frank Gambale Technique Book 1 & 2 by Frank Gambale
  6. Effortless Mastery by Kenny Werner
  7. The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle
  8. Bonus: How To Win Friends And Influence People by Dale Carnegie

The Importance Of Ongoing Musical Development

As a guitar teacher, the importance of self-education through reading books cannot be overstated.

While it’s undoubtedly important to have an existing knowledge of music theory and guitar techniques, it’s equally important to keep expanding your knowledge and skills.

By reading books on guitar lessons and teaching methods, you can:

  • Gain insights into different approaches and techniques that you may not have considered before.
  • Become a more well-rounded and effective teacher.
  • Offer students a wider range of perspectives and techniques.
  • Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques in music education.
    The music industry is constantly evolving, and new teaching methods and techniques are being developed all the time. By staying informed and keeping up with the latest trends, you can be sure that you’re offering your students the most current and effective instruction possible.
  • Stay motivated and inspired as a guitar teacher
  • Reinvigorate your teaching practices
  • Find new ways to connect with your students
  • Be provided with a sense of community and connection to other music educators
  • Learn from the experiences and insights of other guitar teachers

All in all, reading books about guitar lessons and teaching is an essential part of becoming a successful and effective guitar teacher.

You Are A Business Owner

While it’s certainly important to have a strong foundation in musical knowledge and guitar techniques to be a guitar teacher, you also need to see yourself as a business owner.

This means understanding the importance of marketing, branding, and customer service.

By viewing yourself as a business owner, you can focus on creating a strong and sustainable teaching practice that can support you financially and professionally.

One of the best ways to become a successful business owner is to educate yourself with business books. These books can:

  • Provide you with invaluable insights into marketing, sales, customer service, and other key areas of business management
  • Show you the successes and experiences of other entrepreneurs
  • Provide you with practical insights and strategies
  • Help you develop a more entrepreneurial mindset

By developing an entrepreneurial mindset, you’ll be able to think creatively, take risks, and adapt to changing circumstances with confidence.

You can also become more agile and responsive as a guitar teacher, and better equipped to succeed in a rapidly changing industry.

Seeing yourself as a business owner and educating yourself with business books is an essential part of building a successful teaching practice. By combining your passion for music and teaching with sound business strategies, you can create a sustainable and fulfilling career as a guitar teacher.

The Dynamic Studio by Phillip Johnson

Our first recommendation is “The Dynamic Studio” by Phillip Johnson. This is one of our must-read books for guitar teachers who are wanting to take their teaching skills to the next level.

In this book, Johnson shares his practical insights on how to create a successful teaching studio. This includes how to:

  • Attract and retain students
  • Set goals and expectations
  • Manage finances
  • Develop a curriculum

One of the key ideas in the book is the importance of creating a positive learning environment. If students feel comfortable they will feel motivated to learn.

Johnson also emphasizes the value of setting clear goals for both the teacher and the student, as well as establishing a system for tracking progress.

Overall, “The Dynamic Studio” is an excellent resource for guitar teachers looking to improve their teaching skills and build a successful studio.

Whether you’re a new teacher or you’ve been teaching for years, this is one of the best books for guitar teachers, full of practical advice that can help you become a more effective teacher and build a thriving teaching business.

Buy it here.

The Advancing Guitarist by Mick Goodrick

“The Advancing Guitarist” by Mick Goodrick is another of the books for guitar teachers that come highly regarded among music educators.

This book is not for beginners but rather for intermediate to advanced players who want to take their playing to the next level.

It covers a range of topics, including:

  • Advanced techniques
  • Improvisations
  • Harmony
  • Theory
  • Exercises
  • Practice routines

Goodrick’s approach is unique in that he emphasizes the importance of understanding the guitar as an instrument rather than simply learning a set of techniques.

Overall, “The Advancing Guitarist” is an excellent book for guitar teachers who want to help their intermediate and advanced students develop their playing skills and creativity.

Grab your copy here.

The Frank Gambale Technique Book 1 & 2 by Frank Gambale

“The Frank Gambale Technique Book” is another of our essential books for guitar teachers and students who want to develop their technique and improve their playing skills.

Frank Gambale is a guitarist renowned for his unique and innovative approach to playing. Back in the early 1980s, he changed the way guitarists thought about the fretboard and music theory.

This book offers a deep insight into Frank’s approach to music theory, modes, and jazz fusion soloing which shaped the entire fusion movement.

It also covers a wide range of techniques including:

  • Sweep picking
  • Alternative picking
  • Tapping
  • Legato playing

It also provides detailed exercises and practice routines to help players master each technique.

Gambale’s approach is highly organized, and he breaks down each technique into a series of steps that are easy to understand and practice.

One of the key ideas in the book is the importance of developing a strong sense of rhythm and timing, which Gambale believes is essential for any guitar player. He also emphasizes the importance of practicing with a metronome and developing a consistent practice routine.

Overall, “The Frank Gambale Technique Book” is an excellent book for guitar teachers who want to help their students improve their technique and playing abilities beyond the basics of simply learning scales and leaving the student to figure it out on their own.

The book provides a comprehensive guide to developing essential guitar techniques and offers practice exercises and advice to help players develop their skills and soling vocabulary.

Get Book 1 Here and Book 2 here.

Effortless Mastery by Kenny Werner

“Effortless Mastery” by Kenny Werner is one of the most unique books for guitar teachers that approaches the process of learning music from a different perspective.

Rather than focusing solely on technical skills, Werner emphasizes the importance of developing a mindset that fosters creativity and musical expression.

The book covers a range of topics, including:

  • The role of self-awareness
  • The importance of relaxation
  • The power of visualization

Werner also provides practical exercises and techniques to help musicians overcome the mental barriers that can impede their progress.

One of the key ideas in the book is the importance of letting go of fear and self-doubt and trusting one’s own abilities.

Werner believes that the process of learning music should be joyful and fulfilling and that musicians should be free to express themselves creatively without fear of judgment or criticism.

As professional players with decades of experience, we often forget what it’s like to be a beginner. The many deep insights Werner offers can help us put ourselves in the shoes of our students and experience what it’s like to feel doubt.

Overall, “Effortless Mastery” is an excellent book for guitar teachers who want to help their students develop a more creative and expressive approach to music. The book provides a refreshing perspective on the process of learning music and offers practical advice and techniques to help musicians overcome mental obstacles and unleash their full creative potential.

Grab your copy here.

The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle

“The Talent Code” by Daniel Coyle is a fascinating book that explores the science behind talent and skill development.

Coyle argues that talent is not innate but rather the result of a specific type of practice, which he calls “deep practice.”

The book covers a range of topics, including:

  • The role of myelin, a substance in the brain that helps to reinforce neural pathways
  • The importance of practicing in a focused and deliberate way.

Coyle also provides examples of successful individuals and groups who have used these principles to achieve greatness in their fields.

One of the key ideas in the book is the importance of focusing on small, specific goals and breaking down complex skills into smaller, more manageable parts.

Coyle also emphasizes the value of making mistakes and learning from them, rather than simply striving for perfection.

If you’re looking to create a hotbed of talent in your guitar teaching studio, then “The Talent Code” is the book for you.

The book provides valuable insights into the science behind talent. It also offers practical advice and techniques to help individuals improve their abilities through deliberate and focused practice.

Buy your copy here.

Bonus: How To Win Friends And Influence People by Dale Carnegie

While not specifically about guitar teaching, “How To Win Friends And Influence People” by Dale Carnegie is a classic book that can benefit any teacher.

The book provides timeless advice on how to:

  • Build positive relationships with others
  • Communicate effectively
  • Become a more influential and respected person

One of the key ideas in the book is the importance of showing genuine interest in other people and their needs. This is a trait and process that will directly affect the long-term retention of your students.

Carnegie also emphasizes the value of listening carefully to others. He states the importance of acknowledging their opinions and feelings and making them feel valued and respected.

Another key idea in the book is the power of positive reinforcement and encouragement. Carnegie stresses the importance of praising others for their accomplishments, rather than criticizing their mistakes or shortcomings.

This book is an excellent resource for guitar teachers and any entrepreneurs who want to improve their interpersonal skills and build strong relationships with their students.

By following the advice in the book, teachers can become more effective communicators. They can also build trust and rapport with their students, and create a positive and supportive learning environment.

Grab your copy here.

Have We Missed Anything?

We strive to provide excellent recommendations for our readers. But with the volume of great resources being released every year, it’s hard to keep up!

If you’ve read a great book on teaching, guitar playing, or business and have a recommendation for us then leave it in the comments below. We’d be delighted to read and review it!

Michael Gumley

Michael Gumley is founder at Melbourne Guitar Academy, creator of Guitar Dojo Online and Guitar Ninjas, and TopMusic’s Head of Guitar. He rocked his start at guitar playing at age 15 and was instantly hooked. Michael brings his passion for music and love of all things guitar to every lesson, and seeks to help students capture that same excitement and wonder on their own journeys.

 feeling inspired? 

5 Must-have Books for Guitar Teachers in 2023
Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    more Blog, Guitar posts

    from our blog

    contact us

    Reach out to learn more about our multi-teacher memberships