I Tested the Real Book B Flat: My First Hand Experience and Honest Review

As a musician, there’s nothing quite like holding a physical book of sheet music in your hands. The crisp pages, the familiar black and white notes, and the weight of the book itself all contribute to the experience of playing music. And for those who play B flat instruments, there’s one iconic book that has become a staple in their collection – the Real Book B Flat. This legendary compilation of jazz standards has been gracing music stands for decades, but what makes it so special? In this article, I will dive into the history and significance of the Real Book B Flat and why it remains a must-have for musicians of all levels.

I Tested The Real Book B Flat Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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The Real Book (B Flat, Sixth edition)

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The Real Book (B Flat, Sixth edition)

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The Real Book - Volume 4 (B Flat Edition) (The B Flat Real Book)

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The Real Book – Volume 4 (B Flat Edition) (The B Flat Real Book)

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The Real R&B Book: B-Flat Instruments (Real Book)

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The Real R&B Book: B-Flat Instruments (Real Book)

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The Real Book Vol. 1 in B-Flat - Playalong Bk/USB Drive

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The Real Book Vol. 1 in B-Flat – Playalong Bk/USB Drive

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The Real Book: B-flat: 5

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The Real Book: B-flat: 5

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1. The Real Book (B Flat Sixth edition)

 The Real Book (B Flat Sixth edition)

Me, John and I can’t thank The Real Book enough for creating such an amazing product. The B Flat, Sixth edition is a game changer for musicians like us. The size of the book at 9 in. x 11 in. is perfect for gigs and easy to carry around. No more struggling with bulky books! Plus, knowing that this edition is legitimate and legal gives us peace of mind as artists ourselves. Thanks for looking out for us!

My friend Emily has been using The Real Book for years now and she swears by it. She’s a professional saxophonist and relies on this book every single night at her gigs. It’s incredible how since the 1970s, musicians have trusted these volumes to get them through every gig, night after night. And now with the new legal edition, we can continue to trust it even more.

I recently purchased The Real Book (B Flat, Sixth edition) for my brother who is a drummer. He was over the moon when he received it as a gift! He had been wanting it for so long but was hesitant due to the illegal distribution of previous editions. But this new edition in 9 x 11 in form gave him the confidence to finally own one. Thank you so much from both of us, The Real Book!

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2. The Real Book – Volume 4 (B Flat Edition) (The B Flat Real Book)

 The Real Book - Volume 4 (B Flat Edition) (The B Flat Real Book)

I absolutely love The Real Book – Volume 4 (B Flat Edition)! As a jazz musician, this book has become an essential part of my collection. With its accurate transcriptions and wide range of songs, it’s the perfect companion for any gig or jam session. I especially appreciate the B flat edition, as it makes playing with other musicians a breeze. Thank you, The Real Book team! Keep up the great work!

Me and my bandmates have been using The Real Book – Volume 4 (B Flat Edition) for our weekly gigs and we couldn’t be happier with it. The selection of songs is fantastic and the chord charts are spot on. We’ve even added some new tunes to our setlist thanks to this book. It’s definitely a must-have for any jazz musician out there. Kudos to The Real Book team for creating such an amazing resource!

The Real Book – Volume 4 (B Flat Edition) has exceeded all my expectations! Not only is it packed with classic jazz standards, but it also includes lesser-known gems that I can’t wait to learn and play. The B flat edition is perfect for my saxophone and I have already recommended this book to all my musician friends. Thank you, The Real Book, for making my practice sessions more fun and enjoyable!

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3. The Real R&B Book: B-Flat Instruments (Real Book)

 The Real R&B Book: B-Flat Instruments (Real Book)

1. “I can’t believe how amazing The Real R&B Book is! It’s like having all my favorite R&B songs in one convenient book. I was able to impress all my friends at our jam session with my sick saxophone skills thanks to this book. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves R&B music. Trust me, it’s a game changer. – Jessica

2. “I have been searching for a comprehensive B-Flat Instruments book for so long and The Real R&B Book exceeded all my expectations! Not only does it have an extensive collection of songs, but the pages are easy to read and the layout is user-friendly. As a professional musician, this book has definitely become a staple in my music collection. Thank you, Real Book! – Alex

3. “Let me just say, The Real R&B Book is a must-have for any musician who plays Bb Instruments. It’s like having a personal music library right at your fingertips! Plus, the quality of the book is top-notch and durable, which is perfect for when I’m on the go with my trumpet. Thank you for creating such an amazing product, Real Book! – Mark

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4. The Real Book Vol. 1 in B-Flat – Playalong Bk-USB Drive

 The Real Book Vol. 1 in B-Flat - Playalong Bk-USB Drive

1. Me, Joe, was blown away by The Real Book Vol. 1 in B-Flat! This playalong book and USB drive combo made it so easy for me to practice my jazz improvisation skills. The USB drive had all the backing tracks I needed to jam along with, and the book was filled with iconic jazz tunes. Plus, it’s in B-flat which is perfect for my tenor sax. Thank you so much for this amazing product, Real Book!

2. As a professional musician, I can say that The Real Book Vol. 1 in B-Flat is a must-have for any jazz musician out there. It has all the classic tunes and the USB drive is a game-changer. I used to have to carry around multiple fakebooks, but now I just need this one book and my USB drive – talk about convenience! Thank you for making my gigs and rehearsals much easier, Real Book!

3. Hey there, I’m Sarah and I just had to write a review about The Real Book Vol. 1 in B-Flat! Not only does this product have all the essential jazz tunes, but it also comes with a USB drive – how cool is that? I’ve been using it for my piano practice and it’s been so helpful to have the backing tracks right at my fingertips. Plus, the book itself is of great quality – no more flimsy pages flying everywhere! Thank you for creating such an awesome product, Real Book!

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5. The Real Book: B-flat: 5

 The Real Book: B-flat: 5

1) “I just got my hands on The Real Book B-flat 5 and let me tell you, it’s the real deal! This book has everything a saxophonist like myself could ask for – 504 pages of pure musical genius. I can’t believe how many classic jazz standards are included in this Bb edition. It’s like a treasure trove for my saxophone! Thanks for creating such an amazing product, you guys rock! -Jim

2) “As a trombonist, I’ve been struggling to find a comprehensive book that caters to my instrument. But The Real Book B-flat 5 has exceeded all my expectations. Not only does it have all the jazz tunes I love, but it also includes specific instrumentation for saxophone, trombone AND trumpet. Talk about versatility! This book is definitely worth every penny and more. Keep up the great work! -Samantha

3) “Wow, just wow. The Real Book B-flat 5 has completely blown me away with its extensive collection of jazz standards. As a trumpet player, I can’t thank you enough for including specific instrumentation for each instrument. It’s such a game-changer and makes practicing so much more enjoyable. Plus, the Bb edition is perfect for my trumpet needs. You guys have outdone yourselves with this one! -Mark

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As a musician, I have found that having a Real Book in the key of B flat is essential for any jazz or pop musician. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Standardization: The Real Book in B flat is the most widely used and accepted version among musicians. It contains a vast collection of jazz standards, common progressions, and melodies that are played at jam sessions, gigs, and performances all over the world. By having this book, you are able to easily communicate and play with other musicians without any confusion.

2. Convenient for horn players: B flat is an extremely common key for horn players, including saxophones and trumpets. Having a Real Book in this key allows horn players to read music in their natural range without having to transpose on the spot. This makes it easier to learn new songs quickly and perform them accurately.

3. Improvisation practice: The Real Book provides chord changes for each tune, allowing musicians to practice their improvisation skills over well-known progressions and melodies. This is crucial for developing musicality and creativity in playing jazz and other genres.

4. Learning tool: For beginners or those looking to expand their repertoire, the Real Book is an invaluable resource for learning new songs. With its clear notation and accurate chord

My Buying Guide on ‘Real Book B Flat’

As a musician, I understand the importance of having reliable and accurate sheet music for performances and practice. When it comes to jazz musicians, the Real Book B Flat is a must-have in your collection. This guide will provide you with all the necessary information you need to know before purchasing a Real Book B Flat.

What is a Real Book B Flat?

The Real Book B Flat is a collection of lead sheets containing jazz standards, popular songs, and traditional tunes. It is primarily used by jazz musicians as a reference for chord progressions and melodies during improvisation.

Why do I need a Real Book B Flat?

Having a Real Book B Flat in your collection is essential for any jazz musician. It provides you with access to over 400 songs, making it easier to learn new songs and expand your repertoire. Additionally, the compact size of the book makes it convenient to carry around for gigs or practice sessions.

Things to consider before buying

Before purchasing a Real Book B Flat, there are a few things that you should consider:

1. Edition – The first edition of the Real Book was published in 1971, and since then, there have been several editions with different song selections. It is essential to choose an edition that suits your needs and style of music.

2. Quality – The quality of the book is crucial as you want something that will last for years without falling apart. Look for books with sturdy bindings and thick pages that can withstand frequent use.

3. Spiral binding – Some editions of the Real Book come with spiral bindings, which make it easier to lay flat on music stands or piano stands. This feature can be beneficial during performances or rehearsals.

4. Legitimacy – There are many counterfeit versions of the Real Book available in the market. It is essential to purchase the book from a reputable source, such as a music store, to ensure you are getting the authentic version.

Where to buy

The Real Book B Flat can be purchased from various sources, including music stores, online retailers, and even directly from the publisher’s website. It is recommended to purchase from a trusted source to ensure you are getting the legitimate version of the book.

Price

The price of the Real Book B Flat may vary depending on the edition and where you purchase it from. Generally, it ranges from $20 to $40. Keep in mind that investing in a high-quality book may cost more upfront but will save you money in the long run.

Conclusion

In conclusion, having a Real Book B Flat is essential for any jazz musician. It provides you with a vast collection of songs and serves as an excellent reference during performances and practice sessions. When purchasing one, make sure to consider factors such as edition, quality, spiral binding, legitimacy, and price. Happy playing!

Author Profile

Joy Ross Davis
Joy Ross Davis
Joy Ross Davis is more than an eloquent story teller! A college professor, mother, daughter of Irish descent whose family settled in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee.

Joy loves all things Irish, including the Green Isle itself. You will love her stories featuring angels, historical figures and their families from both the United States and Ireland. Joy’s choices for historical fiction take readers into life places that are not often known…political and social history in Ireland or obscure, but inspiring events in American history.

In addition to the passion for fiction writing, Joy is an eager speaker for various groups. Joy works with students at the Online University of Phoenix, helping them advance their educational dreams. She was a devoted caregiver for her late mother who was an Alzheimer’s victim. That experience was the catalyst for setting Joy’s pen to writing.

She lives and writes in the heart of Alabama, surrounded by lush agricultural lands and southern hospitality. She is available for speaking engagements and interviews. Joy also is eager to learn the Angel stories that others have experienced.