Fake book

A fake book is a collection of simplified sheet music (sometimes called fake music or lead sheets), either transcribed manually or copied from some other source. The fake book is a central part of the culture of playing music in public, particularly in jazz, where improvisation is particularly valued.

Related Topics:
Sheet music - Fake music - Lead sheet - Transcribed - Jazz - Improvisation

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Despite the name "book", they often are just a thick, loose stack of unbound sheets.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A song in a fake book contains the melody line, basic chords, and lyrics. Fake books are not intended for novices: the reader must follow and interpret the scant notation.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

For someone playing music as a hobby, however, fake books can be an avenue to playing favorite songs very quickly, instead of spending months learning rudimentary songs. By learning a few chords and a one-note melody line, an amateur can be playing a passable version of any song surprisingly easily.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~