What is the best Beatles Songbook?

alecstar · Post by **alecstar** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 11:19 am

I want to get a Beatles songbook (I do NOT read music) and want one that is fairly easy to understand but more importantly is ACCURATE. I have had a few songbooks in the past that had me wondering just what the transcriber was listening to. (A Jethro Tull one comes to mind) Any recommendations?

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 11:56 am

The Beatles Complete Chord Songbook by Hal Leonard Publishing is a good one, IMO.

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 12:03 pm

There are just so many compilations out there, its hard to say. One book that I've had since I was 12 is "The Golden Beatles"

http://cgi.ebay.com/The-Beatles-The-Golden-Beatles-SONG-BOOK_W0QQitemZ200041945232QQihZ010QQcategoryZ43392QQcmdZViewItem

1965 , and you can buy it here for $30:

http://www.tomfolio.com/bookssub.asp?subid=132&lo=1&page=3&pm=0

or here

http://cgi.ebay.ca/The-Golden-Beatles-Songbook-1964-USA-Limited_W0QQitemZ150075112097QQihZ005QQcategoryZ38104QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

the nice thing about this book (at least at age 12 it was) is that it has the little mini finger charts on every song. Also, this songbook contains a few unreleased songs (or given away to others) that may be hard to find elsewhere, such as:

Bad To Me
From A Window
Hello Little Girl
I'll Be On My Way
I'll Keep You Satisfied
It's For You
Like Dreamers Do
Love of the Loved
Nobody's Child (by Tony Sheridan)
Tip of My Tongue
World Without Love

As far as accuracy, this book is probably not as accurate as some of the newer releases. It's meant for a novice guitarist and contains the basic chords but does not note many of the subtle changes (6th's etc). Also I've noticed that some of the songs are not in the original key, most are, but a few not. This would be a great addition to any Beatles collection.

wj350 · Post by **wj350** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 12:15 pm

Another vote for The Beatles Complete Chord Songbook--excellent arrangements, very user friendly--my original copy is almost a pile of loose sheets now I've used it so much--so I bought another!

Also recommend picking up the "Play The Beatles To A Tee" DVDs--the guy is really good and shows you chord changes and tabs for the guitar parts.

Bill

gregga41 · Post by **gregga41** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 1:22 pm

The Beatles complete chord book? Is that the one with the JL rick on the cover? If so, it also gets my vote!
The Hal Leonard books are highly recommended!Being anotated(?) from the recorded versions,they are a fabulous resource.
I have Sgt. Peppers,Revolver,AHDN,and the above-mentioned!

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 1:26 pm

This is the current cover

beefandbones · Post by **beefandbones** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 1:44 pm

I have to give a shout out to the Beatles Complete Scores. It's got all the chords written out for every song, just like a regular songbook - but it also has easy to read tablature for guitars and bass in case you want to learn solos or riffs. And it ALSO has notation for french horns, choirs, pianos and all that other stuff, too, if you ever should need it. It's spendy, but it's about the only book you'll ever need!

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 1:49 pm

if accuracy is needed, I agree that "The Beatles To A Tee" DVDs are the only way to go.

gregga41 · Post by **gregga41** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 4:30 pm

Stan, the one i have is "The Beatles Guitar Book",with the rick on the cover!(Hal Leonard)
I've seen yours at a few guitar shops down here, and i'll have a closer look next time i see it!

gregga41 · Post by **gregga41** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 4:33 pm

Oh!...and it's on ebay at present(TBGB) for about $5 US! Worth getting!

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 11:28 pm

There are actually three "Golden Beatles" books from that era: the blue one shown, the red-cover "Second Golden Beatles", and the white-cover "Third Golden Beatles" - I have all three, original owner!

wj350 · Post by **wj350** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 6:59 am

I do like the Complete Scores, and often use it in conjunction with the Complete Chord book and the DVDs...

My only criticism of the Complete Scores is these old eyes of mine have a hard time with that tiny print, with and without my specs. I wish they'd print a version about the size of the Beatles Gear book...

I use the Complete Chords religiously though...

westtexasrickenbacker · Wed Jan 03, 2007 10:58 am

I like the Beatles Complete Scores.

It is in very small print though, but the riffs and basslines are pretty accurate.

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 2:54 pm

I have the white cover Golden Beatles.