Best Folk & Traditional Music Books of 2025

The Piano Book for Adult Beginners by Steeplechase Arts is an excellent choice for those who want to learn to play the piano. This book is recommended by Rolling Stone Magazine as the best beginner piano book. It comes with a streaming video course that guides the learners with step-by-step lessons for beginners. The book is designed to be interactive, engaging, and fun. It covers a wide range of famous and cherished piano classics, including Für Elise by Beethoven, The Entertainer by Scott Joplin, and Happy Birthday. This beginner piano book and video course are affordable and will take your piano playing to a whole new level.

Am I Pretty When I Fly? is a delightful album of drawings by the iconic singer Joan Baez. The collection showcases Baez's charming sketches on various themes such as politics, relationships, women, animals, and family. Each section is organized thematically and includes an introductory piece by the artist. Baez's approach to drawing is an exercise in freedom, where she begins drawing upside down and often uses her non-dominant hand. This book is a refreshing look at the artistic side of a beloved icon and a must-read for fans of Baez's work.

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.

The Ukulele Primer Book for Beginners with Online Video Access by Bert Casey is an excellent starting point for anyone looking to learn how to play the ukulele. The book covers all the basics, from tuning to strumming techniques, and includes easy-to-follow instructions, chord charts, and detailed photographs. What sets this book apart is the online video access, providing clear demonstrations of all the techniques and songs covered in the book. With this book, beginners can learn to play fifteen popular songs and entertain their friends and family in no time. Overall, this is a comprehensive and accessible guide that will help anyone start their ukulele journey.

21 Songs in 6 Days: Learn Ukulele the Easy Way is a comprehensive guide for beginners who want to learn how to play the ukulele. The book comes with step-by-step instructions and videos that can be accessed for free. The book's author, a Grammy Award-nominated educator and former Harvard Master Class piano teacher, breaks down each song into easy-to-learn chords and strum patterns. The book includes 21 well-known folk songs, from Row Row Row Your Boat to Jingle Bells, that are perfect for building confidence and learning to play with ease. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to learn how to play the ukulele quickly and efficiently.

This guitar book by Alfred Music is perfect for beginning musicians looking to develop a repertoire of well-known songs, while experienced players will find an excellent resource of favorite songs. With 50 hits from the '60s, '70s, and '80s, this Classic Rock edition includes songs from legendary artists such as The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, and Bruce Springsteen. The Easy Hits Guitar TAB format provides melody in notation and TAB, chords, lyrics, and suggested strum and fingerpicking patterns. Overall, Alfred's Easy Guitar Songs -- Classic Rock is a comprehensive and fun resource for guitar players of all levels.

The First 100 Picking Patterns for Guitar is an essential guide for any beginner guitar player struggling with fingerpicking. This book offers a comprehensive method to teach perfect fingerpicking technique, including over 100 picking patterns and dozens of beautiful chord sequences. The book also provides a structured approach to building muscle memory and great technique, helping players to progress from foundational plucking techniques to stunning performances. The instant trick to teach fingers how to move accurately is a bonus, making this book a perfect fit for both acoustic and electric guitar players. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for anyone looking to establish a lifetime of good habits with fingerpicking on guitar.

The Story of the Trapp Family Singers is an extraordinary memoir written by Baroness Maria Augusta Trapp. The book tells the real-life story of Maria, the baron, and their singing children, which inspired the famous Broadway musical, The Sound of Music. The memoir covers Maria's romance with the baron, their escape from Nazi-occupied Austria, and their life in America. This edition includes photographs from the original, making the reading experience even more immersive. Overall, the book is a fascinating and inspiring read, showcasing the resilience and strength of the human spirit in times of adversity.

The Great Family Songbook is a comprehensive collection of over 100 songs for every occasion, era, and taste. With easy-to-follow chords for both piano and guitar, the book is perfect for beginners and experienced players alike. The book also includes full-color illustrations that add charm and humor to the sing-along experience. The spiral binding allows for easy reading and singing. The authors, Dan Fox and Dick Weissman, are renowned music experts, and their expertise is evident in the selection of songs. Overall, The Great Family Songbook is an excellent addition to any music lover's library.

The Tin Whistle for Beginners Volume 1 is an excellent book for those interested in learning Celtic music on the tin whistle. The book comes with a free audio download that includes 180 tracks, each song played slowly and faster with ornamentation. It contains sheet music and whistle tablatures for 90 Irish and Scottish songs, making it an excellent resource for beginners. The book is published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform and falls under the Folk & Traditional Music Books category. Overall, the book is a great resource for those who want to learn Celtic music on the tin whistle, and the free audio download is an added bonus.