Seeking Cat Stevens song books that suit beginner to intermediate players? This guide highlights five solid options, with clear reasons who each book helps most. The selections cover guitar-focused tab and vocal sheets as well as piano arrangements, ensuring versatility for practice and performance. Use the comparison notes to pick the one that fits your instrument, learning pace, and preferred song set.
| Product | Instrument Focus | Format | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Complete Guitar Player – Cat Stevens Songbook | Guitar | Songbook | Guitarists seeking a compact Cat Stevens collection |
| Cat Stevens – Acoustic Masters for Guitar | Guitar | Songbook with TAB | Players who want 17 hits with guitar TAB |
| Best of Cat Stevens – Easy Piano Songbook | Piano | Sheet Music | Piano players learning Cat Stevens quickly |
| Cat Stevens – Strum and Sing Guitar | Guitar/Vocal | Songbook | Singers who strum along with easy chords |
| Cat Stevens’ Greatest Hits: Song Tab Edition | Guitar | Song Tab | Guitarists wanting tabbed hits |
The Complete Guitar Player – Cat Stevens Songbook
The Complete Guitar Player offers essential Cat Stevens pieces in a compact guitar-focused format. Best for players who want a readable, concise collection with straightforward arrangements. The book emphasizes guitar-centric notation, making it suitable for practice and quick learning sessions. A potential limitation is the shorter page count, which may omit some selections preferred by advanced players. Suitable for students building a Cat Stevens repertoire on acoustic guitar.
Cat Stevens – Acoustic Masters for Guitar
This Acoustic Masters collection presents 17 hits with guitar TAB, appealing to players who want finger positions and precise fret cues. Best for intermediate players who read TAB and want performance-ready pieces. A caveat: described as a used book in good condition, which could affect paper quality or availability. Choose this if you value tabbed arrangements and a larger song set for practice and performance.
Best of Cat Stevens – Easy Piano Songbook
This Easy Piano collection focuses on beginner-friendly piano arrangements of Cat Stevens classics. Best for new pianists or players who want quick familiarity with melody and chords. The 114-page book provides a broad set of tunes, though some competitive pianists might seek more complex scores as they progress. Ideal for hobbyists and classroom practice where piano is the primary instrument.
Cat Stevens – Strum and Sing Guitar
Strum and Sing Guitar presents easy guitar arrangements with chords and lyrics, designed for casual sing-along sessions. Best for acoustic guitarists who want a blend of folk, pop, and rock hits with approachable chord shapes. A potential limitation is the reliance on standard strumming patterns, which may feel repetitive for players seeking more intricate accompaniment. Choose this if you value vocal-friendly arrangements and straightforward playing.
Cat Stevens’ Greatest Hits: Song Tab Edition
This edition compiles Cat Stevens favorites in tab form, making it a strong pick for guitarists who want precise fret-by-fret guidance. Best for players who prefer tabs over standard notation and want to focus on performance-ready pieces. A caveat is that the book is described as a used copy in good condition, which may affect print clarity. Opt for this if you want a clear tabbed lead into Cat Stevens’ classic catalog.
Buying Guide: Key Purchase Considerations
What instrument do you play?
Choose accordingly: guitar-focused books suit players seeking chord charts and TAB, while piano songbooks fit keyboard learners wanting melodic and harmonic context. Some titles blend guitar and vocal arrangements, useful for singer-songwriters.
What is your skill level?
Beginner-friendly options emphasize simple chords and easy melodies. Intermediate picks add TAB or more complex chord progressions. Consider whether you want a quick-start collection or a broader repertoire for ongoing practice.
Format and accessibility
Paper quality and layout affect readability during practice. TAB-focused books are helpful for fretboard orientation, while piano songbooks can aid in developing coordination across hands. Decide if you prefer compact volumes for travel or larger editions for home study.
Condition and availability
Used-condition listings may offer savings but can vary in readability. New editions often provide consistent print quality and up-to-date selections. If you need a specific Cat Stevens track list, verify the included tunes before purchasing.
Song variety and performance goals
Look for a mix of well-known hits and deeper cuts to support a broad repertoire. If you aim to perform, verify whether the book includes complete arrangements with lyrics and chords, and whether it provides performance-friendly keys.
Who should avoid a given option?
Avoid if you require high-level arrangements beyond beginner to intermediate, or if you need a specific track list not included in the book. Also avoid used copies if you require pristine page quality for critiques or notation clarity.
FAQ
- Which Cat Stevens song book is best for beginners? The Best of Cat Stevens Easy Piano Songbook and the Strum and Sing Guitar are both suitable for beginners, offering straightforward arrangements and chords.
- Are these books suitable for performance practice? Yes, several titles provide lyrics, chords, and straightforward arrangements ideal for practice and small performances.
- Do the books include full song lists? Each title has its own selection; check the product page for included tunes to ensure it meets your needs.
- Should I buy a used copy or a new edition? New editions offer consistent print quality; used copies can be cheaper but may vary in condition.
- Are TAB editions included? Some titles, like Acoustic Masters for Guitar and Greatest Hits Song Tab Edition, include or emphasize TAB for fretboard learning.
- Is this collection instrument-wide or genre-specific? The selections center on Cat Stevens’ folk-pop repertoire, suitable for acoustic guitar, piano, or vocal-led performances.