Guitar instruction is an integral part of 21st-century best music education practices. This quantitative study compares six beginning guitar method books to beginning electric bass and string bass books. The books in the sample are Essential Elements for Guitar by Will Schmid and Bob Morris, Mel Bay\u27s Modern Guitar Method Grade 1 Expanded Edition, Alfred\u27s Basic Guitar Method by Morty Manus and Ron Manus, FJH Young Beginner Guitar Method Lesson Book 1, Belwin 21st Century Guitar Method 1 (2nd edition) by Aaron Stang, and KJOS Guitar Sessions Book 1: A Comprehensive Method for Individual or Group Study by Kevin Daley. The control group includes Essential Elements 2000 Electric Bass Book 1 and Essential Elements for Strings Double Bass Book 1. Fundamental music elements for beginning instrumental ensembles are established in the control group. The sample group is then compared to the control group to determine which method book aligns most closely with the control group. This content analysis can be used by music educators to determine which method books facilitate integrating guitars into beginning band and orchestra ensembles
