The Great Gig Book (Blue Book)

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docdosco

Active member
Has anyone heard of this priceless tome being converted into ireal?

It would be a ton of work to get it charted out, but the Great Gig Book is the most complete fake book out there, IMO. It has most of the 'Great American Songbook' in one place with good changes, very compact (usually 2 tunes per page with lyrics), it has specialty ethnic and holiday tunes, plus Latin and a ton of jazz heads. However, what makes it so valuable is that it has practically every standard you might want in it. (it misses a few, but not that many considering....)

If anyone is working on putting this into ireal format, I'd like to know.

Doc Dosco
















 
docdosco said:
Has anyone heard of this priceless tome being converted into ireal?

It would be a ton of work to get it charted out, but the Great Gig Book is the most complete fake book out there, IMO. It has most of the 'Great American Songbook' in one place with good changes, very compact (usually 2 tunes per page with lyrics), it has specialty ethnic and holiday tunes, plus Latin and a ton of jazz heads. However, what makes it so valuable is that it has practically every standard you might want in it. (it misses a few, but not that many considering....)

If anyone is working on putting this into ireal format, I'd like to know.

Doc Dosco

Click to expand...


"what makes it (GGB) so valuable is that it has practically every standard you might want in it."

You mean like my iReal pro library loaded-up from the forums?
As I understand it, the GGB has only 297 pages and 768 charts. Is your understanding different?
I'm sure you must already have the iRp 1300, Latin 50, Brazil 150, Contemp 25, Fusion 34, Holiday 100
That's more than 1600 right there. With lots more posted separately.

So, before someone adds another 700-800 song playlist (essentially duplicating charts that are already posted here) please tell us what songs are missing here? Someone will likely add them. If you don't like *any* of the versions already posted for a tune, post one you like and tell us why you like it better.

Back when I carried a satchel full of paper fake books around, the GGB was a good resource. (not to mention melody and lyrics --not permitted in iRp) Now that I have more than 6000 transposing chord charts in my pocket (that are working GREAT for me) I'm not sure how many more massive playlists of the SAME songs we need.

I'd like to see significantly different versions of a song (like reharms) added to a single discussion thread for that song so that we can better examine what we like and how it will better suit our needs.

Let's work together to make the forums better and more useful, not just bigger.
Thanks
:))BOB















 
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pdxdjazz said:
"what makes it (GGB) so valuable is that it has practically every standard you might want in it."

You mean like my iReal pro library loaded-up from the forums?
As I understand it, the GGB has only 297 pages and 768 charts. Is your understanding different?
I'm sure you must already have the iRp 1300, Latin 50, Brazil 150, Contemp 25, Fusion 34, Holiday 100
That's more than 1600 right there. With lots more posted separately.

So, before someone adds another 700-800 song playlist (essentially duplicating charts that are already posted here) please tell us what songs are missing here? Someone will likely add them. If you don't like *any* of the versions already posted for a tune, post one you like and tell us why you like it better.

Back when I carried a satchel full of paper fake books around, the GGB was a good resource. (not to mention melody and lyrics --not permitted in iRp) Now that I have more than 6000 transposing chord charts in my pocket (that are working GREAT for me) I'm not sure how many more massive playlists of the SAME songs we need.

I'd like to see significantly different versions of a song added to a single discussion thread for that song so that we can better examine what we like and how it will better suit our needs.

Let's work to make the forums better and more useful, not just bigger.
Thanks
:))BOB















Click to expand...

Yikes.... I didn't think I'd have to defend the GGB. We're not at war, are we? : )

Yes, the ireal forum has versions of most jazz and standards, and most have decent changes (some have really good changes). There are also duplicates in the files I have downloaded. I have 3100 some tunes so far. I would like to compile a master list at some point, but I have only had ireal for about 2 to 3 weeks. I have fixed (to my liking anyway) about 20 charts so far. That may mean 1 or 2 chords changed or a doing a lot more editing than that on several. However the way I like the changes may not work for everyone.

http://www.angelfire.com/fl4/moneychords/ggb1.pdf

You have the GGB? This is a better version than the one I printed out years ago. More tunes, no crooked pages. Have a look. The changes are respectable on most of the GGB charts. And on many tunes, there are subtle (to more significant differences) between this book and the Real Books.

I just find that the GGB has great depth as a book. It's really all I have taken to my gigs for years except for my personal book/with lyrics. I don't pull the book out often anymore, but when I need to, it usually has what I need.

Therefore, I just thought it would be nice to have some good alternate chord changes on some of the tunes, but more than that, any tunes that aren't done on the forum, could be pulled from the GGB.

Frankly, there are tunes I play that aren't in any book I can find. So, none of the fakes help there.

I do agree that duplicates with very little difference to existing charts make no sense in a master list. However there are tunes that could be added ('Garden in the rain' comes to mind - but that is one of those tunes that is impossible to find most anywhere)

So, maybe instead of doing another version of 8 or 900 tunes, (I don't have the time anyway) we can collectively find some tunes that aren't already in the collections that are posted. And perhaps there are a few tunes with significantly different changes that could be added.

See, we agree after all.

I really like the ireal program. I have already printed 50 or 60 chord charts to stick in my master lyric book. At some point I will have to get mobile on ireal. It sits on my Macbook Pro at home right now. If I am to use it on a gig, I would need to co-ordinate it with lyrics. I can remember melodies and changes OK, but damed if I can remember a lyric. I recall lyrics perfectly from the 60's and 70's from when I was a little squirt guitarist. They just don't stick with me anymore.

Doc Dosco





















 
Hi Doc,
No joy on the angelfire link...can't connect.

I just posted GardenInTheRain.
https://forums.irealpro.com/threads/garden-in-the-rain-dyrenforth-gibbons.13432/

I'll look forward to your contributions. (One by one rather than playlists please)

There's an example chart in this post
https://forums.irealpro.com/threads...in-iReal-Pro&p=31306.13432/#post-31306.12680/
that might be helpful to you in adding "reminder" lyrics to personal iRp charts.

You are welcome to share alternate versions of posted songs.

Multiple versions of songs would be less of an issue if when posting a re-harm or alternate version, members would include some source information or description:
"here's my own version using different changes” or "as performed by <artist name>" or "from Vanilia Book 3” etc.

When possible include a brief descriptive label in the chart's song title too.

Select "go advanced" and you can add a title to your post.

When a new user searches for a title and is presented with several choices, the additional info is helpful.

Thanks and welcome
:))BOB
 
Bob,

Cool. I appreciate it.

The Angelfire comes up for me. Most of the GGB google links are the scam download websites, but the Anglefire guy just has it up on his website for some reson.

I found a few other tunes that didn't come up in the 3000 I have:

it’s a wonderful world
lollipops and roses
old man river
our day will come
you’d better love me

Perhaps they have been programmed into ireal already. They are just not in the batch I have.

This looks promising. If I could get lyrics on one side and ireal on the other, I'd be in heaven. The new bigger iPad is supposed to run 2 programs on a split screen. With that, one could run a PDF reader on one side and ireal on the other.

Anyway, thanks for the warm welcome and I 'll post some things after I get more familiar with the program.

Cheers,

Doc Dosco
 
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Thanks Doc,
I just needed to be ...... More..........patient......... It's a big file. (Angelfire)

Be sure to try the forum search
It's the Magnifying-glass icon at the top-right most any forums page.
It's powered by Google so stuff has to be posted for a while before the Google-spiders can find it.

WhatAWonderfulWorld is in the jazz1300 Different song?
...There's this Sam Cooke Classic https://forums.irealpro.com/threads/wonderful-world-sam-cooke.10183/
Lollipops...not yet
*Ol'* ManRiver is in the 1300
OurDayWillCome...several versions posted
You'dBetterLoveMe (WhileYouMay) from HighSpirits?
https://forums.irealpro.com/threads...hile-YOu-May)&p=21338.10183/#post-21338.8658/

Note: I ran the words together on purpose. That way when someone searches a song title this post won't waste their time in the results.
:))BOB
 
Wow... I can't play stump the forum! You guys are on it.

What about a seprarate section to post new arrangements, (or do you have that?) I haven't explored the forum yet, so I will sound full of %$^& making suggestions.

I will tell you what I did as a newbie. I found 17 files of collections, 1300, Real books 123, Gypsy (just to get Coquette), and some files called Traditional Jazz, Great American Songbook, Pop, Beatles, Holiday 100, Jazz Standards. I have a lot of doubles, some triples. Some files are way better chord charts than others and I haven't made a master list (don't know how yet). Again, I am so new to this, I will have to learn my way around. The GGB has such cool changes on many tunes that I figured it would be worth getting charts on their alternate chord 'arrangements' on some tunes, .... however I will plug away and when I come up with a substantially different chords on a tune (or do a GGB tune), I'll post it. I just need to know where to stick it in the forum.

I had used the search feature, but it's nice to know how properly use the search engine.

Anyway, back to the grind... I appreciate the help.

Doc Dosco

PS .....It's a wonderful world (Sinatra) is the basis for Doxy (What a wonderful world is the Satchmo tune)
 
docdosco said:
What about a seprarate section to post new arrangements, (or do you have that?) I haven't explored the forum yet, so I will sound full of %$^& making suggestion.
<snip>
when I come up with a substantially different chords on a tune (or do a GGB tune), I'll post it. I just need to know where to stick it in the forum.

I had used the search feature, but it's nice to know how properly use the search engine.

I appreciate the help.

Doc Dosco
Click to expand...


In addition to the main playlists which are a good start for new members, we're moving towards having just ONE discussion thread for each song (per genere as many tunes cross-over between styles)

So post alternate versions (with description and, for example, GBB appended to the title) in an existing thread for that song in the appropriate forum. If a separate thread hasn't been started, go ahead and start it (titled: song title-composer name)

I look forward to your contributions.
Please read this:
Chart Layout Conventions
https://forums.irealpro.com/threads/iReal-b-layout-conventions&p=301.194/#post-301
:))BOB
 
Last edited:
docdosco said:
Wow... I can't play stump the forum! You guys are on it.

What about a seprarate section to post new arrangements, (or do you have that?) I haven't explored the forum yet, so I will sound full of %$^& making suggestions.

I will tell you what I did as a newbie. I found 17 files of collections, 1300, Real books 123, Gypsy (just to get Coquette), and some files called Traditional Jazz, Great American Songbook, Pop, Beatles, Holiday 100, Jazz Standards. I have a lot of doubles, some triples. Some files are way better chord charts than others and I haven't made a master list (don't know how yet). Again, I am so new to this, I will have to learn my way around. The GGB has such cool changes on many tunes that I figured it would be worth getting charts on their alternate chord 'arrangements' on some tunes, .... however I will plug away and when I come up with a substantially different chords on a tune (or do a GGB tune), I'll post it. I just need to know where to stick it in the forum.

I had used the search feature, but it's nice to know how properly use the search engine.

Anyway, back to the grind... I appreciate the help.

Doc Dosco


PS .....It's a wonderful world (Sinatra) is the basis for Doxy (What a wonderful world is the Satchmo tune)
Click to expand...


The changes in the GGB are just standard changes and so are the other books you mentioned. The better ones are those songs posted by users that say "reharm". Just search for whatever song you want. 95% of the songs you might think of are probably here. Ray
 
pdxdjazz said:
If there were only ONE way to play each song, there would be no jazz.
:))BOB
Click to expand...

Yep... and I am a guitarist, so sometimes my personal charts may reflect that I don't have the extra fingers a piano player has. Well, I have extra fingers, somewhere... I think. Now were did I put them?

Doc
 
pdxdjazz said:
...we're moving towards having just ONE discussion thread for each song...
Click to expand...

This would be great! It would make searches more convenient and allow us to compare different interpretations. But it sounds a bit like trying to herd cats, so Good Luck with that! ;)
 
We all have a role in shaping both the content and the culture of the Forums.

Disorganized chaos won't work well for anyone.

Thanks Dale (and others) for your on-going contributions in BOTH areas.
:))BOB
 
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this thread brings up an important issue that many of us face.
Inconsistent changes.
This is usually a problem at pick up gigs.

I don't know if the blue book is still as vital as it used to be.
In SanFrancisco during the 80's and 90's you had to have it.

Despite Bob's comments I do see a real use for a Blue Book (that's what my friends call it) Playlist.
It would come in handy if you were playing with "Old Dudes" that still used hard books;:
btw
I came here looking for One Note Samba changes.
The ones from the original playlist seem wrong and I wanted to look for other versions .

Have we decided to start threads for individual songs ? This is really already in practice (see Somewhere Over The Rainbow)
I wonder if a Disputed Changes sub-forum would help? If so there should be some rule to distinguish Basic Changes from
Wacky Reharmonazations ;)
 
Hi Bobsax
Members are advised to search before posting a "new"version of a song.
If a thread for that song exists, post your version as a reply to that thread.
If there's not a thread for that title, (yet) go ahead and start one titled: <SONG TITLE> - <COMPOSER>

When posting a re-harm or alternate version, it's best to mention that in your post and include some source information.
"here's my own version (or reharm) using different changes” or "as played by <artist name>" or "from Vanilla Book 3” etc.
When a new user searches for a title and is presented with several choices, the additional info is helpful.

When possible include a brief descriptive label in the CHART's title too. That helps a lot in keeping multiple versions of the tune in your library manageable.

Thanks
:))BOB
 
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raymb1 said:
The changes in the GGB are just standard changes and so are the other books you mentioned. The better ones are those songs posted by users that say "reharm". Just search for whatever song you want. 95% of the songs you might think of are probably here. Ray
Click to expand...
In theory perhaps but not in actual practice. and regardless there should still be a playlist of the BlueBook so you can use it with folks that have the hard copy.
I think we already have playlists of various books ? I hope they have been checked for accuracy?

The thing NOT TO DO is just grab tunes from other playlists and put them in a Bluebook playlist without checking the actual BB chart.
btw
I'm not talking keys here. We all know that can be easily changed. I've played gigs where folks were using the igigbook. They would have multiple versions of tunes all different (regardless of key) depending on the book, Sher, Hal Leonard , etc.
 
Bobsax said:
this thread brings up an important issue that many of us face.
Inconsistent changes.
This is usually a problem at pick up gigs.

I don't know if the blue book is still as vital as it used to be.
In SanFrancisco during the 80's and 90's you had to have it.

Despite Bob's comments I do see a real use for a Blue Book (that's what my friends call it) Playlist.
It would come in handy if you were playing with "Old Dudes" that still used hard books;:
btw
I came here looking for One Note Samba changes.
The ones from the original playlist seem wrong and I wanted to look for other versions .

Have we decided to start threads for individual songs ? This is really already in practice (see Somewhere Over The Rainbow)
I wonder if a Disputed Changes sub-forum would help? If so there should be some rule to distinguish Basic Changes from
Wacky Reharmonazations ;)
Click to expand...

I brought up this subject on the thread originally, as I had found some tunes (in my short time with the ireal program) that I didn't agree with on the changes. Having used the Great Gig Book (Blue Book) for a quite a while now, I am really happy with the changes on almost all the tunes... mainly because they are good changes. I had found some tunes here that even though I had downloaded a bunch of collections, and had 3 versions of some tunes, on these tunes the changes did not knock me out. (IMO of course)

An example is Beginning To See The Light. The GGB changes are just better to my ear than the charts I found here. Someone may have uploaded a better version here, but I didn't get it in my download of collections.

I can re-write that chart for myself for gigs. Not a big deal. But, it would be nice if a GGB collection were started in the forum and people could add charts to the collection if they have made a fresh chart using the GGB as the source. Some tunes, like the Mexican Hat Dance and ethnic songs like it are not of interest to me, so there are GGB selections that wouldn't be missed if they were left out.

However, there are many versions in the GGB that are superior (in various degrees) to other books. The point was made that fake books, in general, don't use the hippest changes. While true, there is nothing that precludes the charts here from being the best possible. Of course, what is the 'best' chart is subjective. I can't bitch at having hundreds and hundreds of jazz and standard charts already written out and available at the click of a mouse, even if I have to flavor some to my taste. But.... if there were a GGB thread where people could upload charts based on the GGB, I would certainly find that useful.

I guess the rub will be, are there enough people here interested in a GGB collection, and would people contribute enough to make it worth while. It would take some time and effort from someone to monitor the collection and make it into a cohesive book ready for download, without having bits and pieces scattered here and there. I have noticed that there are many lovely charts buried in the dark corridors and musty corners of this forum. (it is halloween after all). To make a collection of 'prefered changes' is not going to fly with everyone. As I indicated, my 'cool changes' may not be that to someone else. However, a collection of charts with changes found in the GGB would be a welcome addition to the many wonderful versions that are available here. : )

Anyway, that's my 2 cents.

Doc Dosco
 
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We're all volunteers here...
There are two ways to add GBB charts to the forums.

1. Someone can make the charts, (check them for accuracy, forum lay-out conventions and player compatibility) make sure each title is coded GBB (to avoid confusion) and post the complete playlist.

As an example see this:
https://forums.irealpro.com/threads/Gypsy-Jazz&p=24052.215/#post-24052

2. As you you transcribe GBB charts to iRp format, post them individually in the discussion thread for that title.
Start a new thread for that title if there isn't one already.
As described in this post:
https://forums.irealpro.com/threads/The-Great-Gig-Book-(Blue-Book)&p=33857.13431/#post-33857

Thanks in advance for your submissions.
:))BOB
 
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