The Real Book

One gift I have been especially enjoying from Christmas has been a pair of books my wife obtained for me called "The Real Book".  These books are compiled sheet music melodies of many classic JAZZ standards.  There are actually a few volumes of "The Real Book" but I have the first volume in these gifts.  

"The Real Book" is a name given to this jazz compilation.  But, in reality the books are what are more typically (and generally) referred to as "Fake Books".  Broadly a "Fake Book" is a compilation of song melodies (basically the right hand on the piano) and devoid of the rest of the full sheet music (typically the left hand on the piano).  Instead of the left hand (bass clef), these fake books include chords which then can allow a competent pianist to improvise a left hand part to accompany the right hand's melody.  

What I received are two VERSIONS of "The Real Book".  The first one is Volume 1 in Concert Pitch (meaning the key non-transposing instruments like piano, guitar, flute, oboe, bassoon, trombone, tuba, etc).  But, my second copy is Volume 1 in Bb (B flat) which is for the transposing instruments such as clarinet, bass clarinet, tenor saxophone and trumpet.  

As I primarily play bass clarinet and tenor saxophone, having the Bb version is tremendously useful to me for playing.  But, as I want to attempt to learn appropriate progressions (in whole chords or in patterns such as arpeggios) for these songs that I can play on the piano that would work along with my Bb instrument, having the concert pitch volume is also very helpful.  

I am thankful to my wife for these two spiral bound books.  I think I will have fun with them.  And, I think they will help me with trying to develop more of a sense of improvisation as well.  And, I am hoping too that these books will help me to move beyond my rather rudimentary knowledge of chords into a greater understanding and ability to apply, shape, and develop more spontaneously.... chord progressions and more successfully improvised harmony to songs I like.  

And, perhaps more of a "pipe dream" I hope/imagine working with these two books together will help me to build strength in actually being at least better in being able to transpose in my mind, music that I am sight-reading.  That may end up being beyond my abilities, but many folks can and do do this.... and I would like to try to develop the ability myself... even though it will be hard or perhaps near impossible for my old neurons to become adept at. 

I will be heading out to go to a special, non-Thursday, rendering of the "Retiree's Cigar Group" this afternoon!  Everyone there decided we should do this since the shop was closed on Thursday due to Christmas.  

PipeTobacco