Best Blues Music Books of 2026

Beyond Pentatonic Blues Guitar by Ross Campbell is a must-read for intermediate to advanced blues guitarists who want to take their solos to the next level. The book goes beyond the basic blues scale and teaches the melodic and harmonic ideas used by professional blues guitarists to create authentic solos. The author covers topics such as targeting chord changes, controlling tension and release, utilizing triads and arpeggios, and chromatic coloring. The book includes detailed explanations, examples, licks, and full solo etudes, as well as a backing track in all 12 keys. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for blues guitarists who want to improve their soloing skills.

Biography of a Phantom: A Robert Johnson Blues Odyssey by Mack McCormick is a fascinating book that delves into the life of the legendary blues musician, Robert Johnson. McCormick spent decades researching and reconstructing Johnson's life story, and this book is the culmination of his work. The book provides a glimpse into the Mississippi landscape during Johnson's time, the racism he faced, and the impact of his music on future generations. The inclusion of 40 unseen black-and-white photographs documenting McCormick's search adds to the book's allure. Overall, this book is an important historical object that deepens our understanding of a stellar musician and the complexities of his life.

Booze & Vinyl: A Spirited Guide to Great Music and Mixed Drinks is a unique guide that combines music and cocktails. The book features 70 great records from the 1950s through the 2000s, with each entry having liner notes that underscore the album's musical highlights and accompanying "Side A" and "Side B" cocktail recipes that complement the music's mood. The book is organized by mood, making it easy to find the perfect cocktail and album pairing for any occasion. The photography throughout the book is stunning and adds to the overall experience. Booze & Vinyl is a must-read for music and cocktail enthusiasts alike.

This book, titled "Guitar Scales for Beginners: How to Solo Effortlessly and Create Your Own Music Even If You Don't Know What A Scale Is: Secrets to Your Very First Scale (Guitar Scales Mastery)" by an Independently Published author, is an excellent guide for guitar beginners on how to learn and master scales without getting overwhelmed. The author shares their personal experience of learning scales and provides a step-by-step method to make sense of the boxes and stitch them together to create good music. What makes this book unique is that it teaches only one scale but provides the tools necessary to learn every other scale in the future. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to improve their guitar skills and become the guitarist of their dreams.

Cream: Clapton, Bruce & Baker Sitting on Top of the World: San Francisco, February–March 1968 is a comprehensive documentation of Cream's live performances during their legendary pairing with the American city of San Francisco. The book presents author Edoardo Genzolini's detailed analysis of all sets played by the band at both venues, recorded by Atlantic Records and filmed by legendary British documentary filmmaker Tony Palmer. The inclusion of rare, never-before-published concert photographs makes this book a must-read for any Cream fan. Despite the inaccurate documentation and devastating fire at the Atlantic Records audio archive, this book provides the definitive chronicle of Cream's iconic shows.

Beginner Electric Guitar Lessons Book with Online Video and Audio Access is a comprehensive guide for those who want to learn how to play electric guitar. Written by Peter Vogl, the book covers everything from the basics of guitar playing to more advanced techniques such as playing scales and chords. What sets this book apart is the online access to video instruction and audio tracks, which makes it easier for beginners to learn and play correctly. The book is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to learn how to play electric guitar and is highly recommended.

The "How To Play Acoustic Guitar" book is the ultimate guide for beginners who want to learn how to play the guitar. With 130 pages of superbly explained guitar lessons, 100 beautifully illustrated guitar chords, and rhythm patterns, this book is better than a guitar teacher. It also includes over 100 easy-to-play guitar songs and step-by-step lesson videos, live, and email support. This book is perfect for anyone who wants to learn how to play acoustic guitar quickly and efficiently without any prior knowledge of music.

ShowTime Piano Jazz & Blues: Level 2A is an exciting collection of jazz and blues pieces arranged for Level 2A piano students. The book offers a range of sounds from soulful blues to jazz originals, including popular hits like Blue Moon and Bye, Bye Blackbird. As the student practices, they will improve their reading and rhythmic skills while enjoying the sounds of jazz and blues. Faber Piano Adventures has done an excellent job of creating a book that is both entertaining and educational for young musicians.

Faber Piano Adventures' FunTime Piano Jazz & Blues: Level 3A-3B is a must-have for any Level 3 student interested in exploring jazz and blues style. The book offers a vast collection of jazz and blues standards, as well as original compositions, that are easy to follow and enjoyable to play. The book also comes with helpful introductory videos, making it even easier for students to learn and improve their skills. Overall, this book is an excellent addition to any pianist's collection and offers a unique opportunity to explore the jazz and blues genre.

The Complete Guide to Playing Blues Guitar Compilation is a three-part series that teaches essential skills to become a master blues guitarist. The book offers over 245 pages of blues guitar mastery with over 400 notated audio download examples and over 20 backing tracks. It covers rhythm guitar, melodic phrasing, and beyond pentatonics that help you play any blues song. The Complete Blues Guitar Soloing Course will have you writing and improvising your own solos in no time. Overall, this comprehensive guide is a must-have for anyone who wants to learn how to play blues guitar.