Jazz Tutorial’s Guide to Real Books

A Real Book is the only piece of ‘equipment’ you need to play jazz piano (in addition to the piano itself).

A Real Book is a collection of jazz songs presented as sheet music, in the traditional jazz notation style.

Real books are usually around $35 USD, and they’ll give you years of joy at the piano.

They’re an essential learning tool - I recommend applying every new jazz technique you learn to the songs in your real book.

“Is it better for me to download individual songs on the internet?”

No - I don’t think so. There’s something special about having a complete organized set of jazz songs, bound in a thick book, and organized in alphabetical order.

A Real Book is a lovely thing to own, and it will travel with you throughout your jazz piano education.

“What should I look for?”

When considering which Real Book to buy, make sure you buy a Real Book that is ‘in C’.

Some Real Books will say ‘in Bb’ or ‘in Eb’ - these books are for transposing instruments like trumpet and saxophone, and their songs will be written in different keys to the original songs.

So if you are a piano player, make sure you buy a Real Book that is ‘in C’.

“Which Publisher?”

I’ve seen many different Real Books over the years. Some I didn’t like - due to the way the arrangers notate chords (some arrangers simplify the chords, or use slash chords - which I’m not a fan of).

There are two publishers that I’m a fan of - Hal Leonard and Sher Music.

“How do I decide which Real Book to buy?”

Look at the song list for each Real Book and choose whichever book has the most number of songs that you’d like to play. That’s all it comes down to.

“How many Real Books do I need?”

For most students, one real book will be plenty for the first year of learning jazz.

I did most of my jazz piano learning with just one real book (The Standards Real Book by Sher Music).

Later on, if your playing needs something new - go ahead and buy a second real book, and you’ll get a fresh batch of tunes to explore.

I now own four real books which cover every jazz standard I would ever want to play.

Free Resource: Download my '30 Beginner Jazz Songs' list.

4 Real Books I Use & Recommend

The Real Book: Sixth Edition (in C):

Comes with 400 songs.

Songs include: All Blues Au Privave Autumn Leaves Black Orpheus Bluesette Body and Soul Bright Size Life Con Alma Dolphin Dance Don't Get Around Much Anymore Easy Living Epistrophy Falling in Love with Love Footprints Four on Six Giant Steps Have You Met Miss Jones? How High the Moon I'll Remember April Impressions Lullaby of Birdland Misty My Funny Valentine Oleo Red Clay Satin Doll Sidewinder Stella by Starlight Take Five There Is No Greater Love Wave *

The Real Book - Volume II (in C):

Comes with 400 songs.

Songs include: Air Mail Special Birdland Bye Bye Blackbird Caravan Doxy Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words) Georgia Girl Talk I Remember You I Thought About You In Walked Bud The Jodi Grind Just the Way You Are Killer Joe Little Sunflower Mercy, Mercy, Mercy Moanin' The Nearness of You Now's the Time Old Devil Moon Phase Dance St.Thomas Speak Low Stardust Tangerine Tenor Madness Watch What Happens Whisper Not Willow Weep for Me Yardbird Suite

Real book volume III (in C):

Comes with 400 songs.

Ain't Misbehavin' All or Nothing at All Along Came Betty Cheek to Cheek East of the Sun (And West of the Moon) Funkallero H & H I've Got the World on a String I've Got You Under My Skin The Jive Samba The Lady Is a Tramp Milestones Moonlight in Vermont A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever) Samba De Orfeu Stormy Weather (Keeps Rainin' All the Time) Things Ain't What They Used to Be The Very Thought of You Violets for Your Furs Watermelon Man

The Standards Real Book by Sher Music (in C):

Comes with 264 songs.

Songs include: After You, Ain’t No Sunshine, Alice in Wonderland, All My Tomorrows, All Of You, All Through The Night, Alone Together, As Time Goes Bye, Autumn Nocturne, A Beautiful Friendship, Begin The Beguine, The Best is Yet to Come, Bewitched, Blue and Sentimental, Come Fly With Me, Crazy Rhythm, Dreamsville, Embraceable You, The Girl From Ipanema, How Insensitive, I Get A Kick Out Of You, I Got Rhythm, I Loves You Porgy, I've got you Under My Skin, Indian Summer, Just One Of Those Things, Love For Sale, Lullaby Of Broadway, Meditation, Moondance, My Funny Valentine, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Night and Day, On A Clear Day, Slow Hot Wind, So Nice (Summer Samba), Softly, As In a Morning Sunrise, Stormy Weather, Summertime, Take Five,Tea For Two,They Can't Take That Away From Me.

Free Resource: Download my 'Jazz Piano Chord Voicing Guide' (11 pages).

10 Jazz songs I Recommended For Beginners

All TheThings You Are (Real Book 6th Edition)
Autumn Leaves (Real Book 6th Edition)
Misty (Real Book 6th Edition)
Satin Doll (Real Book 6th Edition)
Stompin’ AtThe Savoy (Real Book 6th Edition)
Moon River (Real Book Volume II)
Fly Me To The Moon (Real Book Volume II)
Georgia On My Mind (Real Book Volume II)
Cry Me A River (Real Book Volume III)
Summertime (Standards Real Book by Sher)

Most of the ‘beginner songs’ I’ve listed above can be found in the Real Book 6th Edition - so if you’re finding it hard to choose which book, I recommend this one.

Recommended Lesson

'Jazz Theory Explained in 20 Minutes'

All the essential Jazz theory you need to know in one video:

Free Resource: Download my 'Chord Symbol Reference Guide' sheet music.

(All Jazz chords notated on one page - including 7ths, 9ths, 11ths and 13ths).

Final Words

I hope that this guide helps you choose the right real book for you, and that you enjoy many hours exploring these songs!
Your friend,

Julian Bradley

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