Using fake books

[madsxxphi]

Hi,

I have noticed that there seems to be quite a few fake books around.

But how do you use them?

As far as I can understand, the fake books contain the melody you will play with your right hand.

I guess you will then use the left hand to play chords, but what chords are you supposed to play?

Thanks,
Mads

[austinarg]

In my opinion, fake books are best used when playing jazz/blues or any genre of improvisational nature, that way you can "develop" the melody and play the left hand chords in any way you wish.

[madsxxphi]

Yes, as far as I get it, fake book are best for jazz, pop, etc., but not so well suited for classical music.

What do you mean by "play the left hand chords in any way you wish"?

I probably can't just press random keys. There must be more to it, right?

[austinarg]

Well, of course I mean if there's a C, you don't play a B flat minor 

What I mean is that you can play any inversion, in any rhythm, full or broken, etc.

[iansinclair]

Fake books I've seen have the name of the chords, such as "C" [major], "Cmin[or]", F7 etc. etc. and the melody.  You then have all you need to improvise -- you can play the melody in the right hand, and block chords in the left; you can use arpeggios in the left; you can improvise a countermelody in the left; you can play the melody in the left and chords or a descant in the right... whatever suits your fancy.

[hfmadopter]

Fake books I've seen have the name of the chords, such as "C" [major], "Cmin[or]", F7 etc. etc. and the melody.  You then have all you need to improvise -- you can play the melody in the right hand, and block chords in the left; you can use arpeggios in the left; you can improvise a countermelody in the left; you can play the melody in the left and chords or a descant in the right... whatever suits your fancy.

Right me too/same here, i find the cords are usually there over the melody marked in thier corresponding letter form. And it's fun to do ! Great for prepping some pop music. Also, the melody is in the right hand but you are free to spread it out over the key board, use octaves etc. With a little practice at it you can make some really nice music. I like to take this sort of sheed music or just simple arrangements even and work them up for movie theme songs.