Full Version: Real Book And Fake Books - What Are They?
I feel as if I ought to know this, but I don't... so I'd be grateful if somebody would explain please what Real Books and Fake Books are exactly
I'll have a go - fresh from my introductory jazz course - but I may be less accurate than real jazzers!
Both Real books and Fake books contain jazz standards, usually as melody line and chord symbols only, although you can get a vocal version with the lyrics too. I think the main difference between Real Books and Fake books is copyright: the Real books were brought out as legal versions of the Fake books.
If you want to get a good one to start with, The Real Easy Book, published by Sher, is fantastic.
Both Real books and Fake books contain jazz standards, usually as melody line and chord symbols only, although you can get a vocal version with the lyrics too. I think the main difference between Real Books and Fake books is copyright: the Real books were brought out as legal versions of the Fake books.
If you want to get a good one to start with, The Real Easy Book, published by Sher, is fantastic.
QUOTE(andante_in_c @ Jun 8 2008, 08:18 AM) 
I'll have a go - fresh from my introductory jazz course - but I may be less accurate than real jazzers!
Both Real books and Fake books contain jazz standards, usually as melody line and chord symbols only, although you can get a vocal version with the lyrics too. I think the main difference between Real Books and Fake books is copyright: the Real books were brought out as legal versions of the Fake books.
If you want to get a good one to start with, The Real Easy Book, published by Sher, is fantastic.
Exactly right - 'fake' book because they enable musicians to 'fake' - to play tunes that (in theory) they should already know! So 'real' book, (I've always assumed) is a little joke. Generally they are just 'lead sheets' - melody line and chords. THE AB publish one for their jazz grades - buit I believe this contains a lot of originals written for the grades.
nick
Fake Books / Busker Books - the same thing.
The originated in America and were for many years illegal. I have one from the second world war, issued to services musicians. Though spiral bound, 1000 tunes and some with lyrics, this book has been printed from hand-written scores - single melody line and chord symbols.
The USA term "Fake" does indeed refer to "faking it" or improvising when it comes to the harmonies. The chord symbols were used for accordions, guitar, piano, organ - any solo instrument that has a chord orientated system.
IMP publish a whole series of them but in the 60's, every major publisher produced their own, containing popular tunes from their specific catalogues.........Chappell, Feldman, Lawrence Wright, Campbell Connelly......we have a collection of around 50 at home.
There is also a series of American "Fake" books - more recent, that gives you alternative harmonies - and pretty stunning they are to. Some of the chord symbols look like quadratic equations. HOWEVER, it is not the chord itself, but how the chord is arranged under the melody line. It takes a fair bit of studying to achieve what the arranger possibly had in mind (or ear!).
Some of the books I have show not only the original composers harmonic line, but show the re-harmonised line as well - it makes interesting comparison.
These are "Altered Chord" Fake Books.
Worth looking out for on Ebay !
Any more info? - pm me!
The originated in America and were for many years illegal. I have one from the second world war, issued to services musicians. Though spiral bound, 1000 tunes and some with lyrics, this book has been printed from hand-written scores - single melody line and chord symbols.
The USA term "Fake" does indeed refer to "faking it" or improvising when it comes to the harmonies. The chord symbols were used for accordions, guitar, piano, organ - any solo instrument that has a chord orientated system.
IMP publish a whole series of them but in the 60's, every major publisher produced their own, containing popular tunes from their specific catalogues.........Chappell, Feldman, Lawrence Wright, Campbell Connelly......we have a collection of around 50 at home.
There is also a series of American "Fake" books - more recent, that gives you alternative harmonies - and pretty stunning they are to. Some of the chord symbols look like quadratic equations. HOWEVER, it is not the chord itself, but how the chord is arranged under the melody line. It takes a fair bit of studying to achieve what the arranger possibly had in mind (or ear!).
Some of the books I have show not only the original composers harmonic line, but show the re-harmonised line as well - it makes interesting comparison.
These are "Altered Chord" Fake Books.
Worth looking out for on Ebay !
Any more info? - pm me!
That's all really helpful, thank you!
I would also add that fake books are available in C Eb & Bb editions so that any musician in the jazz band can play along and be in the right key.
The chords under the tune are also used by the bass player to work out his own bass line and by any of the musicians who use the chords to improvise their solos on when the tune has been played for the first time.
The best way to learn from the fake book,in my opinion, is to listen to the original jazz recording.
The chords under the tune are also used by the bass player to work out his own bass line and by any of the musicians who use the chords to improvise their solos on when the tune has been played for the first time.
The best way to learn from the fake book,in my opinion, is to listen to the original jazz recording.
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