Re: Re: Re: The "I like beer" polka.


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Posted by Greg Crider on June 18, 2001 at 00:39:57:

In Reply to: Re: Re: The "I like beer" polka. posted by Tracy H on June 18, 2001 at 00:15:58:

Fake books have lead sheets (melodies only) to tunes (most often jazz and standards) with definitive harmony chords (changes) written above them. This gives experienced improvisors enough framework to fake their way through a piece that they may not know as a group, often well enough to sound like a polished arrangement. The quality of the performance then depends on the knowledge, empathy, experience, ingenuity, and ensemble ability of the musicians.

The classic fake book is called the "Real Fake Book", and it has spawned a host of imitators in every genre of popular music. Fake books are an indispensible tool for gigging musicians who find themselves in positions where they have to take requests from the audience. They are the ultimate proof of the improvisational nature of jazz and so much of popular music.


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