As a professional guitarist with over 21 years of teaching experience, I have read everything out there concerning pedagogy, practice strategies, and music theory. Here are the 10 Best Music Practice and Performance Strategy books for Classical and Flamenco guitar 2025. (*Please consider buying with the affiliate links below to support my free educational blog and YouTube channel.)
LEARN FASTER, PERFORM BETTER: A Musician's Guide to the Neuroscience of Practicing
Summary
Practicing is an essential part of every musician’s life, but we are rarely taught how to practice in the most effective and efficient way. Many of us find ourselves frustrated when we sound good in the practice room only to embarrass ourselves on stage or in front of our teachers. We feel overwhelmed by the amount of music we have to learn, unsure how to balance everything. Playing from memory can feel terrifying and an insurmountable challenge, and overcoming bad habits can seem impossible at times. (Amazon)
Authors
Dr. Molly Gebrian
MAKE IT STICK: The Science of Successful Learning
Summary
Drawing on recent discoveries in cognitive psychology and other disciplines, the authors offer concrete techniques for becoming more productive learners. Speaking most urgently to students, teachers, trainers, and athletes, Make It Stick will appeal to all those interested in the challenge of lifelong learning and self-improvement. (Amazon)
Authors
Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, Mark A. McDaniel
PEAK: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise
Summary
Peak distills three decades of myth-shattering research into a powerful learning strategy that is fundamentally different from the way people traditionally think about acquiring new abilities. Ericsson’s revolutionary methods will show you how to improve at almost any skill that matters to you. (Amazon)
Authors
Anders Ericsson and Robert Pool
THE INNER GAME OF MUSIC
Summary
The authors of this excellent book give us exercises to improve the technical and psychological challenges of practice and performance.
Authors
Barry Green & Timothy Gallwey
THE LITTLE BOOK OF TALENT52 Tips for Improving Your Skills
Summary
Easy-to-use handbook of scientifically proven and field-tested methods to improve skills. The product of five years of reporting from the world’s greatest talent hotbeds and interviews with successful master coaches, it distills the daunting complexity of skill development into 52 clear, concise directives. This is an essential guide for anyone who ever asked, “How do I get better?” (Amazon)
Author
Daniel Coyle
THE MASTERY OF MUSICTen Pathways to True Artistry
Summary
Green shows how musical excellence, exhibited by true virtuosos, requires a mastery of ten unique qualities of the soul and the human spirit, such as confidence, passion, discipline, creativity, and relaxed concentration, and he discusses specific ways in which all musicians, composers, and conductors can take their skills to higher levels. (Amazon)
Author
Barry Green
THE POWER OF HABIT: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
Summary
At its core, The Power of Habit contains an exhilarating argument: The key to exercising regularly, losing weight, being more productive, and achieving success is understanding how habits work. As Duhigg shows, by harnessing this new science, we can transform our businesses, our communities, and our lives. (Amazon)
Author
Charles Duhigg
TRAIN YOUR OWN HEROReach Peak Functioning in One Month or 21 Days
Summary
Backed by inspiring stories, client anecdotes, and proven strategies, Train Your Own Hero is for anyone who wants to discover how to reach their peak level of functioning. Dr. Greene’s comprehensive and engaging 21-step process will help you achieve the real heights of your full capabilities in what you already do well. (Amazon)
Author
Don Greene, Ph.D.
TRAIN YOUR OWN HERO Journal
Summary
Dr. Greene has trained countless performers to win major auditions, Olympic medals, and set world records. Through this journal — meant to accompany the Train Your Own Hero book above — he will train you on how to reach your best. (Amazon)
Author
Don Greene, Ph.D.
ULTRALEARNING: Master Hard Skills, Outsmart the Competition, and Accelerate Your Career
Summary
Ultralearning offers nine principles to master hard skills quickly. Whether the goal is to be fluent in a language, earn the equivalent of a college degree in a fraction of the time, or master multiple tools to build a product or business from the ground up, the principles in Ultralearning will guide you to success. (Amazon)
Author
Scott Young
Did you enjoy discovering Music Practice & Performance Strategy Books? Don’t stop here—take the next step in your journey by exploring our article on Errors and Frustrations in Music Practice.
The Links above are affiliate links. Although I have personally read and recommend all of the books above, I also earn a very small commission from each of them. Commissions support my free YouTube channel and free educational blog. Please consider buying with the links above. Thank you for your support!
