Very valuable resource in your music library

books:


	• The Ultimate Fake Book: C Chord, 4th Edition Hal Leonard, 1994 - 816 pages average customer review:based on 36 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Very valuable resource in your music library

This book has become a cornerstone of my piano music library. It has been a fascinating journey to explore the pages of this enormous compendium of the American songbook, for myself, and for anyone who happens by my piano.

The 'true' American songbook has 10s of 1000s of songs, so no attempt to be complete or 'ultimate' can stand up to criticism for being less than complete. However, what is contained in this book is as good a cross-section of 1200 songs as I could imagine. I think the choice is well done.

As much as anything else, this book represents a great 'reference' in my music library. Someone asks me about a certain song, I hear it on radio, etc.--the first place I go is to this book to see if it's there. Most often it is.

Some comments relating to other reviews:

For those unclear about the term 'fake book': It contains melody, harmony (in the form of chord changes), lyrics and basic tempo markings. You must create your own arrangements including intros and endings, harmonization, bass lines and rhythmic constructions, a skill which takes time and work.

Chord symbols are strictly alphabetic--none of those little guitar chord diagrams. If you play guitar and don't know your chords, you'll need a good chord chart.

All of the songs (as far as I can tell) are in their original keys, an important consideration when collaborating with other musicians. A good many of these songs date back to the 'big band' era, and as such, there is a preponderance of 'flat keys'.

The fact that this book is labeled 'C Chord' means only that it is not intended for transposing instruments (i.e. trumpet, clarinet, saxaphone, etc.). There are transposed versions of the book for B-flat and E-flat instruments for use in ensemble work.

The binding problem: I use this book everyday. I removed the binding (tedious), took the two covers to a local print shop and had them laminated and re-punched. I reassembled the book and have had no issues at all with the binding, even given everyday use. Worth the extra $5 for a valuable, daily resource.

Now: How best to create those triplets chords for "In the Still of the Night" ...

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Great

Great for people like me who love music but can't read it. It helps to make me sound good. I love it.

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Holy Hannah!

Holy Hannah! I couldn't be more pleased! Seller indicated this was in "used" condition, but it looks brand new! I was especially delighted to see that it contained full diagrams of all chords in the back of the book--very helpful if for instance you don't know the finger placement for uncommon, off the wall chords such as Eb or Ab and their variations). I may not play all 1,200 songs listed (would probably have to take a week's worth of vacation to do so and end up with sore fingers..lol), but if I even only play 1/8th the songs, I know I got a big bang for my buck (I paid $23 for the book and most song books cost that much if not more and only have 20-30 songs).

I can't wait to play songs for my friends and family at gatherings!

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Fake Book Review

The Ultimate Fake Book: C Chord, 4th Edition
This is a great book. Since I took a class on how to play music using the chording method, I have had so much fun playing music. My skills reading music as I was taught in piano lessons are not as good as I would like but with the Fake Books, I can play so many more tunes. I recommend this book. It has thousands of wonderful songs, old and new.

Amazing Selection

Truly, this is a great collection of songs, and you will find many songs here you already know... and many you don't. Consider searching the internet for some mp3 and midi files for some of these songs. You will come up with many more songs that will increase your repertoire immediately. One of the reviews here lists ALL the songs.

I agree with some of the other reviews about the book's size. This book is huge and hard to handle. What I did was take it to the print shop and have it broken down into three parts (don't forget to copy the table of contents for that section), and then you have three books that are much easier to handle.

I have The Real Little Best Fake Book Ever: C Edition, and along with this book, you can keep yourself busy for years. You could make a living from the tunes in this book if you practice enough.

If you have never purchased a fake book before, consider purchasing one of the others published by Hal Leonard such as Your First Fake Book (Fake Books) or The Easy Fake Book. Also, Scott Houston's book, Play Piano in a Flash! Play Your Favorite Songs Like a Pro--Whether You've Had Lessons or Not!

Here's another tip that may save you some money. If you want to buy a piano buy Larry Fine's book The Piano Book: Buying & Owning a New or Used Piano. This one book could save you thousands of dollars and lots of grief when you are buying a piano. Just from reading this book I learned don't buy a spinet or mini grand. To enjoy playing the piano you have to have a good one. If you are going to buy the Ultimate Fake Book with over 1,200 songs, then you simply must have something that sounds good.

Overall, I am happy with this book and I would recommend it to anyone. You won't regret purchasing it. Considering the quality and quantity, it's a bargain.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

This fake book is a cornerstone for many musicians' libraries. With over 1200 songs in all styles of music, this third edition has been updated to include even more great songs and recent hits. From jazz standards to Broadway blockbusters and country classics to pop chart-toppers, this book has the songs you're looking for all in one convenient collection. It is comb-bound with locked tabs to ensure long-lasting durability. Songs include: Alfie All the Things You Are Always And So It Goes Autumn in New York Beauty and the Beast Brazil Blue Skies Body and Soul Call Me Irresponsible Can't Help Falling in Love Candy Caravan Change the World Cry Me a River Duke of Earl Easter Parade Edelweiss Endless Love Everyday A Foggy Day Friends in Low Places Georgia on My Mind Heart and Soul Here's That Rainy Day How Deep Is the Ocean (How High Is the Sky) I Love Paris I Shot the Sheriff I'm Always Chasing Rainbows I've Got the World on a String The Impossible Dream Isn't It Romantic? It's Only a Paper Moon The Lady Is a Tramp Lazy River Let's Fall in Love Love Is Here to Stay Makin' Whoopee! Memory Mona Lisa Moon River Moonlight in Vermont My Funny Valentine My Heart Will Go On Oh, Pretty Woman Operator Piano Man Precious and Few Release Me Roxanne Satin Doll Small World Somewhere Out There Sophisticated Lady Speak Softly, Love (Love Theme from 'The Godfather') Splish Splash ...

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