The Real Bluegrass Book: C Instruments - amazon.com
The Real Bluegrass Book Hal Leonard Corp.: A Review
If you are a fan of bluegrass music, you probably know how hard it is to find accurate and reliable sheet music for your favorite songs. There are many fake books out there that contain errors, omissions, or simplifications that can ruin your playing experience. That's why you need The Real Bluegrass Book Hal Leonard Corp., a collection of more than 300 bluegrass favorites presented in the straightforward Real Book format favored by musicians. In this article, we will review this amazing book and tell you why you should buy it, how you can use it, and where you can get it.
The Real Bluegrass Book Hal Leonard Corp.
What is The Real Bluegrass Book?
The Real Bluegrass Book is a sheet music book that contains over 300 bluegrass songs arranged for C instruments (such as guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, etc.). It was published by Hal Leonard Corporation, a leading music publisher in the world, in 2011. It is part of the Real Book series, which are collections of jazz standards and other genres presented in a concise and consistent format.
The history and purpose of the book
The Real Book series was originally created by jazz musicians in the 1970s as an alternative to the official sheet music books that were often inaccurate or incomplete. They were called "real" books because they contained the real chords and melodies that the musicians played on stage. They were also illegal because they violated copyright laws. However, they became very popular among jazz players because they were easy to use and contained hundreds of songs in one volume.
In 2004, Hal Leonard Corporation obtained the rights to publish the Real Books legally and started to produce new editions that were more accurate and comprehensive. They also expanded the series to include other genres such as blues, rock, pop, country, and bluegrass. The Real Bluegrass Book was one of these editions, and it was designed to meet the needs and preferences of bluegrass musicians.
The format and features of the book
The Real Bluegrass Book follows the same format as the other Real Books. It has a softcover binding that allows it to lay flat on a music stand or a table. It has a large font size that makes it easy to read even from a distance. It has a simple notation system that shows only the melody line, the lyrics (where applicable), and the chord symbols above each measure. It does not include any tablature, staff notation, or fingerings.
The book also has some features that make it unique among other bluegrass books. It has an alphabetical index at the beginning that lists all the songs by title. It has a category index at the end that groups the songs by subgenres such as gospel, old-timey, instrumentals, etc. It has a songfinder website that allows you to search for a particular song by title, composer, or lyric. It has a plastic comb that holds the pages together and prevents them from tearing or falling out.
The contents and categories of the book
The Real Bluegrass Book contains more than 300 bluegrass songs that span the history and diversity of the genre. It includes classics by Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, The Stanley Brothers, The Osborne Brothers, Jimmy Martin, and others. It also includes modern hits by Alison Krauss, Ricky Skaggs, Del McCoury, Nickel Creek, and others. It covers a wide range of styles and themes such as love, loss, faith, family, work, humor, etc.
The book also organizes the songs into different categories that reflect the subgenres and influences of bluegrass music. These categories are:
Bluegrass Standards: These are the songs that are considered essential and representative of bluegrass music. They include songs such as "Blue Moon of Kentucky", "Foggy Mountain Breakdown", "Rocky Top", "Will the Circle Be Unbroken", and others.
Bluegrass Gospel: These are the songs that express religious beliefs and sentiments. They include songs such as "Angel Band", "Down to the River to Pray", "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow", "I'll Fly Away", and others.
Old-Timey: These are the songs that originated from the Appalachian folk music tradition that preceded bluegrass. They include songs such as "Black Mountain Rag", "Cluck Old Hen", "Cripple Creek", "Shady Grove", and others.
Instrumentals: These are the songs that showcase the virtuosity and creativity of bluegrass instrumentalists. They include songs such as "Big Mon", "Blackberry Blossom", "Gold Rush", "Orange Blossom Special", and others.
Newgrass: These are the songs that incorporate elements from other genres such as rock, pop, jazz, or classical into bluegrass. They include songs such as "Ashes of Love", "Freeborn Man", "Highway 40 Blues", "Man of Constant Sorrow", and others.
Country: These are the songs that have a strong connection or crossover with country music. They include songs such as "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain", "Cold Hard Facts", "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry", "Tennessee Waltz", and others.
Why should you buy The Real Bluegrass Book?
The Real Bluegrass Book is a must-have for any bluegrass lover or player. Here are some reasons why you should buy it:
The benefits and advantages of the book
The Real Bluegrass Book offers many benefits and advantages over other bluegrass books. Some of them are:
It has a large and diverse collection of songs that covers all aspects of bluegrass music.
It has a simple and consistent format that makes it easy to use and follow.
It has a high-quality printing and binding that makes it durable and convenient.
It has a low price that makes it affordable and accessible.
The testimonials and reviews of the book
The Real Bluegrass Book has received many positive testimonials and reviews from customers and critics alike. Some of them are:
"This is the best bluegrass fake book I have ever seen. It has all the songs I love and more. It is well organized and easy to read. I highly recommend it to anyone who plays or sings bluegrass." - Amazon customer
"This book is a treasure trove of bluegrass tunes. It has everything from old-timey classics to modern hits. It is perfect for jam sessions, gigs, or just having fun. It is worth every penny." - Barnes & Noble customer
"This book is a great resource for bluegrass musicians of all levels. It has a huge selection of songs that are arranged in a clear and simple way. It is also very accurate and reliable. It is one of the best books in the Real Book series." - Music teacher
The comparison and contrast of the book with other similar books
The Real Bluegrass Book is not the only bluegrass book available in the market. There are other similar books that you can choose from. However, none of them can match the quality and quantity of The Real Bluegrass Book. Here is a comparison and contrast of The Real Bluegrass Book with some of its competitors:
BookNumber of SongsFormatPrice
BookNumber of SongsFormatPrice
The Real Bluegrass BookMore than 300Melody line, lyrics, chords$39.99
Bluegrass Fakebook150Melody line, lyrics, chords$16.52
The Bluegrass Songbook101Melody line, lyrics, chords, tablature$14.99
The Big Book of Bluegrass Songs68Melody line, lyrics, chords, staff notation$19.99
The Ultimate Bluegrass Mandolin Construction ManualN/AN/A$29.95
As you can see, The Real Bluegrass Book has the most songs, the simplest format, and the best value for money among its competitors. It is clearly the best choice for any bluegrass enthusiast.
How can you use The Real Bluegrass Book?
The Real Bluegrass Book is a versatile and flexible book that you can use for various purposes and occasions. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, a soloist or a band member, a performer or a listener, you can find many ways to enjoy and benefit from this book. Here are some suggestions on how you can use The Real Bluegrass Book:
The tips and tricks for using the book effectively
The Real Bluegrass Book is designed to be easy to use and follow, but there are some tips and tricks that can help you get the most out of it. Some of them are:
Use a capo to adjust the key of the songs to suit your voice or instrument.
Use a tuner to make sure your instrument is in tune with the book.
Use a metronome to practice the songs at different tempos and rhythms.
Use a recorder to record yourself playing or singing along with the book.
Use a highlighter or a pencil to mark your favorite songs or parts in the book.
Use sticky notes or bookmarks to mark the pages or sections that you want to revisit or review.
Use online tools or apps to transpose, edit, or print the songs from the book.
Use your creativity and imagination to improvise, embellish, or modify the songs from the book.
The examples and exercises for practicing with the book
The Real Bluegrass Book is a great resource for practicing and improving your bluegrass skills and knowledge. You can use it as a guide, a workbook, or a challenge. Here are some examples and exercises that you can try with the book:
Pick a song from the book and play or sing it from start to finish without stopping or looking at the book.
Pick a song from the book and play or sing only the melody line without any accompaniment.
Pick a song from the book and play or sing only the chords without any melody.
Pick a song from the book and play or sing it in a different key than the original.
Pick a song from the book and play or sing it in a different style than the original (such as jazz, rock, reggae, etc.).
Pick a song from the book and play or sing it with a different instrument than the original (such as piano, ukulele, harmonica, etc.).
Pick a song from the book and play or sing it with a partner or a group.
Pick a song from the book and write your own lyrics or arrangement for it.
The resources and references for further learning with the book
The Real Bluegrass Book is not only a sheet music book but also a learning tool that can help you expand your bluegrass horizons. You can use it as a starting point for exploring more about the genre, the artists, the songs, and the culture. Here are some resources and references that you can use for further learning with the book:
The Hal Leonard website (https://www.halleonard.com/) where you can find more information about the book, the publisher, and other related products.
The Real Book Songfinder website (https://www.halleonard.com/realbook/) where you can search for any song in the book by title, composer, or lyric.
The Bluegrass Today website (https://bluegrasstoday.com/) where you can find the latest news, reviews, interviews, and events about bluegrass music.
The Bluegrass Heritage Foundation website (https://bluegrassheritage.org/) where you can find the history, education, and preservation of bluegrass music.
The International Bluegrass Music Association website (https://ibma.org/) where you can find the awards, festivals, membership, and resources of bluegrass music.
The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum website (https://www.bluegrasshall.org/) where you can find the exhibits, collections, and programs of bluegrass music.
The YouTube channel of The Real Bluegrass Book (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYf9t3lH6ZcUJGdK5zZxvQw) where you can find videos of some of the songs from the book played by various artists.
The Spotify playlist of The Real Bluegrass Book (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX0XUfTFmNBRM) where you can listen to some of the songs from the book recorded by various artists.
Conclusion
The Real Bluegrass Book Hal Leonard Corp. is a sheet music book that contains more than 300 bluegrass songs arranged for C instruments. It is part of the Real Book series, which are collections of songs presented in a simple and consistent format. It is a must-have for any bluegrass lover or player because it has a large and diverse collection of songs, a simple and consistent format, a high-quality printing and binding, and a low price. You can use it for various purposes and occasions such as jamming, performing, learning, or enjoying. You can also use it as a guide, a workbook, or a challenge to practice and improve your bluegrass skills and knowledge. You can also use it as a starting point to explore more about the genre, the artists, the songs, and the culture of bluegrass music.
If you are interested in buying The Real Bluegrass Book Hal Leonard Corp., you can click on this link to order it online: https://www.amazon.com/Real-Bluegrass-Book-Instruments/dp/0634049216/. You can also find it in your local music store or library. You will not regret it because it is one of the best books in the Real Book series and one of the best books in bluegrass music.
A summary and recap of the main points
Here is a summary and recap of the main points we covered in this article:
The Real Bluegrass Book is a sheet music book that contains over 300 bluegrass songs arranged for C instruments.
It was published by Hal Leonard Corporation in 2011 as part of the Real Book series.
It has a simple and consistent format that shows only the melody line, the lyrics, and the chord symbols.
It has some features that make it unique among other bluegrass books such as an alphabetical index, a category index, a songfinder website, and a plastic comb.
It has a large and diverse collection of songs that covers all aspects of bluegrass music such as standards, gospel, old-timey, instrumentals, newgrass, and country.
It offers many benefits and advantages over other bluegrass books such as accuracy, completeness, convenience, and affordability.
It has received many positive testimonials and reviews from customers and critics alike.
It is clearly the best choice for any bluegrass enthusiast among its competitors.
You can use it for various purposes and occasions such as jamming, performing, learning, or enjoying.
You can use it as a guide, a workbook, or a challenge to practice and improve your bluegrass skills and knowledge.
You can use it as a starting point to explore more about the genre, the artists, the songs, and the culture of bluegrass music.
A call to action and a link to buy the book
A call to action and a link to buy the book
If you are still reading this article, congratulations! You have just learned everything you need to know about The Real Bluegrass Book Hal Leonard Corp. You have discovered what it is, why you should buy it, how you can use it, and where you can get it. You have also seen some tips and tricks, examples and exercises, and resources and references that can help you make the most of this book.
Now, the only thing left for you to do is to take action. Don't wait any longer. Order your copy of The Real Bluegrass Book Hal Leonard Corp. today and start enjoying the best bluegrass music ever. You will not regret it because it is one of the best books in the Real Book series and one of the best books in bluegrass music.
To order your copy of The Real Bluegrass Book Hal Leonard Corp., just click on this link: https://www.amazon.com/Real-Bluegrass-Book-Instruments/dp/0634049216/. It will take you to the Amazon website where you can add the book to your cart and check out securely. You can also choose from different delivery options and payment methods. You can also read more customer reviews and ratings before you buy.
Don't miss this opportunity to own The Real Bluegrass Book Hal Leonard Corp., the ultimate bluegrass book for any bluegrass lover or player. It will change your life and your music forever. Order now and get ready to play and sing along with hundreds of bluegrass favorites.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about The Real Bluegrass Book Hal Leonard Corp.:
Q: What is the difference between The Real Bluegrass Book and other bluegrass books?
A: The Real Bluegrass Book has more songs, a simpler format, a higher quality, and a lower price than other bluegrass books. It also has some unique features such as an alphabetical index, a category index, a songfinder website, and a plastic comb.
Q: What instruments can I use with The Real Bluegrass Book?
A: The Real Bluegrass Book is arranged for C instruments such as guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, etc. However, you can also use other instruments such as piano, ukulele, harmonica, etc. by transposing or adapting the songs.
Q: Do I need to know how to read music to use The Real Bluegrass Book?
A: No, you don't need to know how to read music to use The Real Bluegrass Book. The book uses a simple notation system that shows only the melody line, the lyrics, and the chord symbols. You can play or sing by ear or by following the chords.
Q: How can I learn more about bluegrass music with The Real Bluegrass Book?
A: You can learn more about bluegrass music with The Real Bluegrass Book by using it as a starting point for exploring more about the genre, the artists, the songs, and the culture of bluegrass music. You can also use some of the resources and references that we mentioned in this article such as websites, videos, playlists, etc.
Q: Where can I buy The Real Bluegrass Book Hal Leonard Corp.?
A: You can buy The Real Bluegrass Book Hal Leonard Corp. online or offline. You can order it online from Amazon by clicking on this link: https://www.amazon.com/Real-Bluegrass-Book-Instruments/dp/0634049216/. You can also find it in your local music store or library.
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