How to Read a Musical Fake Book in the Key of B

Presented by Ryan Larson

Learn how to read through a fake book composition in the key of B major with this free video music lesson series for jazz musicians.

Series Summary

A fake book is a collection of song and musical composition lead sheets that each contain the melody, basic chords and lyrics for a particular piece of music. Fake books are intended to help a musician learn a composition as quickly as possible by providing the minimum information necessary for the musician to improvise or “fake” a song. The fake book is essential to jazz musicians and other public performing musicians where improvisation is almost required of the artist. Not for the amateur musician, fake books require the reader to interpret and follow very little notation, and a thorough knowledge of chords and sheet music is necessary.

In this free video music lesson, an expert jazz musician will demonstrate how to read through a fake book composition in B major. He will demonstrate how to play the various measures and sections of the fake book composition on piano, as well as how to improvise while playing. Our jazz expert will play through the composition with just the bass notes and melody, and also demonstrate the chords and melody together. If you already have a thorough knowledge of the piano and sheet music but are looking to enhance your musical improvisation or jazz music skills, this video will give you the information and knowledge you will need to succeed.

Listing 1-15 of 15 videos

Measures 1 & 2 of Playing a Jazz Song in B Major

Learn how to read and play the first and second measures of a jazz song in B major in this free music video on composing a jazz song in B major.

Steps for Composing a Jazz Song in B Major

Learn tips on what steps to take to read and write a jazz song in B major in this free music video on composing a jazz song in B major.

Playing Composed Jazz Chords in B Major

Learn how to play some jazz chords in B major in this free music video on composing a jazz song in B major.

Basics of Playing a Jazz Song in B Major

Learn the basics of playing a jazz song in B major and how to get started in this free music video on composing a jazz song in B major.

Measures 17-19 of Playing a Jazz Song in B Major

Learn how to read and play the final 17th, 18th, and 19th measures of a jazz song in B major in this free music video on composing a jazz song in B major.

Measures 15 & 16 of Playing a Jazz Song in B Major

Learn how to read and play the 15th and 16th measures of a jazz song in B major in this free music video on composing a jazz song in B major.

Measures 7 & 8 of Playing a Jazz Song in B Major

Learn how to read and play the seventh and eighth measures of a jazz song in B major in this free music video on composing a jazz song in B major.

Measures 5 & 6 of Playing a Jazz Song in B Major

Learn how to read and play the fifth and sixth measures of a jazz song in B major in this free music video on composing a jazz song in B major.

Measures 3 & 4 of Playing a Jazz Song in B Major

Learn how to read and play the third and fourth measures of a jazz song in B major in this free music video on composing a jazz song in B major.

Measures 11 & 12 of Playing a Jazz Song in B Major

Learn how to read and play the 11th and 12th measures of a jazz song in B major in this free music video on composing a jazz song in B major.

Measures 9 & 10 of Playing a Jazz Song in B Major

Learn how to read and play the ninth and tenth measures of a jazz song in B major in this free music video on composing a jazz song in B major.

Improvised Jazz Composition in B Major

Watch and learn as our expert does a quick improvised jazz song in B major in this free music video on composing a jazz song in B major.

Analyzing Sections to Compose a Jazz Song in B Major

Learn how to analyze to help you read and write a jazz song in the key of B major in this free music video on composing a jazz song in B major.

Playing a Jazz Bass Line in B Major

Learn about playing a jazz bass and melody lines for a jazz song in B major in this free music video on composing a jazz song in B major.

Measures 13 & 14 of Playing a Jazz Song in B Major

Learn how to read and play the 13th and 14th measures of a jazz song in B major in this free music video on composing a jazz song in B major.

How to Read a Musical Fake Book in the Key of B

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