Alfred's Basic Guitar Method is the foundational series teachers have relied on for decades to get students playing guitar from day one. The third edition of Method 1, paired with online audio by Morty Manus, remains the entry point most teachers choose. You'll also find Method 2 and 3 to guide progression, plus specialized titles like Alfred's Basic Guitar Theory and the Chord Chart for students who need targeted skill work alongside their method book.
Highlights
Teachers keep coming back to Alfred's Basic Guitar Method 1 (Third Edition) by Morty Manus, available with or without online audio depending on your students' needs. The Chord Chart is a practical companion piece that many studios stock separately. If you're teaching rock styles, Alfred's Basic Rock Guitar Method 1 by Nathaniel Gunod and L. C. Harnsberger offers a parallel track for students drawn to that sound.
Author Spotlight
Morty Manus authored the core Alfred's Basic Guitar Method series and shaped the pedagogical approach that defines this collection. His method emphasizes steady progression from absolute beginner through intermediate levels, with each book building logically on the last. Ron Manus, the third generation of the Manus family at Alfred Music, has contributed substantially to expanding the series and bringing digital resources into these materials, evolving the method beyond print alone. L. C. Harnsberger studied composition at USC and brings an arranger's ear to the rock guitar materials; his background in writing for ensembles and soloists informs the variety of styles you'll find in Alfred's Basic Rock Guitar Method.
