Detail 01
Chords, scales AND arpeggios in one volume
Covers three separate reference needs, so you're not buying three thinner books.
Product detailSKU #1274034484577
Mel BayComplete Book of Guitar Chords, Scales and Arpeggios
Sale
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
A reference book of guitar chord, scale and arpeggio shapes. For players who want a single lookup volume on the music stand rather than a course.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Players who need a shape they can't recall mid-arrangement
- Guitarists working through improvisation and needing scale fingerings
- Teachers wanting one reference covering all twelve keys
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Absolute beginners with no chord vocabulary yet
- Players who want lessons, songs, or a structured progression
- Anyone who prefers looking shapes up on a phone
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
Reference format, not a method
You look things up as needed. There's no lesson order to follow start to finish.
Detail 03
Around 30 dollars
Priced above single-topic chord books because of the scale and arpeggio content.
Detail 04
Mel Bay publication
Standard diagram conventions most guitar teachers already use, so it reads the same as other method books.
Detail 05
Print book
Stays open on a stand and needs no battery, but has no audio to check yourself against.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Print only. No audio tracks, backing tracks, or video included.
- 02Assumes you can already read chord diagrams and fretboard grids.
- 03A reference, not a course. Pair it with a method book if starting out.
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Is this good for a complete beginner?
Not on its own. It assumes you can read chord diagrams and form basic shapes. Start with a beginner method book and use this alongside it as a lookup reference.
02Does it use standard notation or tab?
It uses chord diagrams and fretboard grids as its core format. Treat it as a shape reference rather than a notation-reading exercise.
03Does it come with audio?
No. It's a print reference book with no CD, download code, or backing tracks.
04Is it worth it over the cheaper chord book?
Yes if you want scales and arpeggios too. If you only need chord shapes, the smaller chord-only book covers that for less.
