Best Music Exercises Books of 2026

This beginner's guide to playing keyboard by Ben Parker is a great introduction for those who have no previous musical experience or are simply new to the keyboard. The book provides easy-to-follow instructions, illustrations, and simple exercises to practice at your own pace. With fun and easy songs, chords, and tunes to play, you will be playing keyboard in no time. This book is perfect for absolute beginners of all ages, and for kids under the age of 10, there is a separate book created especially for them. Overall, this book is a great starting point for anyone who wants to learn how to play keyboard.

The Complete Book of Scales, Chords, Arpeggios & Cadences by Alfred is a comprehensive guide to learning scales, chords, arpeggios, and cadences at three different levels. It presents all major and minor keys in a convenient two-page format, with an in-depth 12-page explanation of the fundamentals of music theory. The book also includes enrichment exercises to help students harmonize and expand their scales. This all-inclusive book is perfect for young students and anyone looking to improve their piano skills.

Teaching Little Fingers to Play is an excellent book for early beginners who want to learn how to play the piano. The book uses a combination of rote and note approach, with simple yet delightful melodies that are easy for children's small hands to grasp. The book is a best-seller around the world, and teacher accompaniments are available in a separate book. The latest reprint features fewer fingerings and refreshed images, making it even more accessible to young learners. Overall, Teaching Little Fingers to Play is a fantastic book that provides a solid foundation for piano beginners and makes learning fun and engaging.

The Alfred's Basic Piano Library Lesson Book, Bk 2 is an excellent resource for beginners who want to learn how to play the piano. This book is a continuation of Level 1B and teaches students about dotted half notes, dotted quarter notes, and intervals of 6ths, 7ths, and octaves. It also covers triads, primary chords, and blocked and broken chords. With a wide range of songs included, such as Ode to Joy and Calypso Carnival, this book makes learning fun and engaging. Overall, this book is a must-have for anyone who wants to learn how to play the piano with correct playing habits and note reading skills.

This book is perfect for beginners who want to learn how to read music notation. The 30-day program offers step-by-step lessons that make learning music theory simple and fun. With over 150 music examples, 100 written exercises, and 10 listening experiences, readers will learn the absolute essentials of music theory, how rhythm works, the complete system behind musical notes, the details of music notation, and how specific musical symbols give life to all written music. The book also provides expert tips, lesson summaries, a final test, and online access to audio examples. This comprehensive but practical approach will answer all your music theory questions. The book is now in its 3rd edition, revised and expanded to suit all types of beginner musicians.

Decoding Giant Steps is a must-read for any bass guitar player looking to master John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps.” This book provides a simple and insightful way to understand the complex harmonies of this iconic piece of jazz history. With the help of exercises and etudes, players can develop their skills and vocabulary to improvise over even the most complex harmonic progressions with ease. The inclusion of a complete video master-class and highly polished play-alongs makes this book a comprehensive guide for any bass guitar player. Overall, Decoding Giant Steps is an excellent resource for anyone looking to improve their jazz skills and tackle one of the most challenging pieces of music in jazz history.

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.

The "I Can Read Music, Vol 1: Violin" book by Joanne Martin is an excellent resource for students of string instruments who want to improve their note-reading skills. The book offers easy-to-read exercises that progress in stages, with ample repetition at each stage. It is suitable for both traditionally taught students and those who have learned through the Suzuki Method. The clear presentation of new ideas enables young children and their parents to use the book daily at home, with the teacher monitoring progress. Overall, this book is a valuable addition to any violin student's library, and its unique approach makes it stand out among other note-reading books.