Sheet Music playalongs vs realbooks

[nickh]

hi folks,

I need to start learning a few jazz standards on tenor. I'm weighing up whether i should get a real book and find some way of generating my own backing tracks or whether there is a playalong with a cd that would do the job with less hassle.

so far i just have maiden voyage and a hal leonard jazz standards play-along but some of the tracks in the Hal Leonard play-along are written in different keys than the tunes are commonly played in. Which is annoying!

any thoughts?

 

[fibracell]

For backing tracks, I'm a big fan of Band in a box. Most of the time I prefer the tracks to both Hal
Leonard and Aebersold (which sound dated, and ofter too busy). It takes somw work to get to grips with it's features, but the effort is well worth it.

A cheaper option for backing tracks is Irealpro for your phone or tablet.

Also just buy the realbooks - can't go wrong with them.

 

[Jonesy]

Make sure you get the RealBooks for Bb instruments.

The Ultimate Fake Book for Bb by Hal Leonard is about £35 and has 1200 tunes.
With lyrics and chords.

 

[Targa]

As well as the real books there is this:
Jazz Standards: Melody Line, Chords and Lyrics for Keyboard, Guitar, Vocal (Paperback Songs): Amazon.co.uk: Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation: 9780793588725: Books

Also More Jazz Standards.
They are only pocket size paperbacks so a bit awkward to play from but might be of interest.

 

[nickh]

thanks

i was looking at this one.

The Ultimate Jazz Fake Book: B-Flat Edition: Amazon.co.uk: Lennon, Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation: 0073999400809: Books

any good?

 

[nickh]

this one also!

The Real Book Volume 1 Mini Pocket Fake Bk B Flat Inst Original Us Bk: Amazon.co.uk: Various: 9781423469384: Books

 

[jbtsax]

I second the Band in a Box recommendation. It is the best investment I have ever made. That along with the awesome link provided by @Colin the Bear Jazz Tunes BiaB has enabled me to quickly produce a great sounding backing track to almost any song in whatever key or tempo I want. Most of these also have a melody track where you can print out a leadsheet as well.

A strong case can be made for Real Books or "Fake" Books in Concert key regardless of the instrument you play. It is a great way to learn to transpose which gets easier with practice. I have never owned one in Eb or Bb in over 50 years of playing jazz tunes.

 

[jazzdoh]

You can generate backing tracks for the real books with a program called iReal Pro,providing you have an iPhone,iPad,android phone or iMac,they are simple but great for real books.

 

[Jez Watson]

there are some great backing tracks on youtube from Learn Jazz standards, they also have a website, and you can view the music for different instruments

 

[Chris]

I'd just get a Bb realbook, then pm ME and I'll do some backing tracks in any style tempo etc. At least that way you'll know just what each track will be like. btw Learn jazz Standards and the other big backing track outlet on youtube both use BIaB..

Chris..

 

[Tenor Viol]

I've got the CD set that goes with the Real books

 

[nickh]

great info thanks.
Just ordered the realbook Bb

I do have an ipad so iReal might be an option.
I'll look into BIAB and Chris's option too!

I've got the CD set that goes with the Real books

Ive not seen these. Do they play the lead or are they backing tracks?

 

[Jez Watson]

i personally don't like the sound of BIAB, but they may have improved since i used one

 

[Chris]

@Jez Watson they no longer use midi tracks(unless you want to) Jez. Things have moved onto real audio recordings of real players recorded in a studio. Most of the recordings done in the Botm thread use BiaB tracks.

 

[Jez Watson]

Hi Chris, thanks for that info, its a while since i used BIAB !

 

[Tenor Viol]

Hal Leonard publish sets of CDs called 'The Real Book Play-Along', which provide accompaniments. I think there are 4 sets of 3 CDs.

 

[jimmylh]

The new BIAB tracks can sound very good now days. I use it a lot. I also like Hal Leonard play along books.

 

[nickh]

Update... The realbook in Bb is excellent! Wish i'd got thie right at the start and not bought anything else!

pm sent for backing tracks Chris!

 

[Lesley]

Hal Leonard publish sets of CDs called 'The Real Book Play-Along', which provide accompaniments. I think there are 4 sets of 3 CDs.

Are you able to tell me the contents of the books ie which pieces and are they for alto?

 

[Jeanette]

Are you able to tell me the contents of the books ie which pieces and are they for alto?

Not in Bb you need the Eb

Jx