The Guitar Handbook

If the Hal Leonard method teaches you how to play, Ralph Denyer’s “The Guitar Handbook” teaches you how to understand everything about the instrument. First published in 1982 and revised in 1992, it remains one of the most comprehensive single-volume guitar references ever written.

Why Start Here

This is not a step-by-step method book. It is a reference guide that covers the entire world of the guitar: acoustic and electric, rock, blues, jazz, folk, and classical. It explains how guitars work, how to choose one, how to maintain and repair them, and how to play them across different styles. There are chapters on chords, scales, music theory, recording, and sound equipment.

What makes this book special is how well it balances depth with accessibility. Denyer writes clearly and assumes you are intelligent but not necessarily experienced. The illustrations and diagrams are excellent. Many guitarists buy this early on and keep returning to it for years as their skills develop. It is the kind of book you keep on the shelf permanently.

The revised edition includes contributions from notable guitarists and covers both acoustic and electric guitar in equal depth.

What to Expect

A 256-page reference book organized by topic rather than as a linear course. You can read it cover to cover or jump to whatever section is relevant to you right now. The tone is informative without being dry. There are chord charts, scale diagrams, gear guides, and practical advice on everything from changing strings to setting up your action. This is the book to buy alongside a method book, not instead of one.