The Real Book -

: For decades, it was an unlicensed, illegal publication sold "under the table" in music stores or out of car trunks to avoid copyright enforcement .

The book is designed for practical use on the bandstand, typically featuring: The Real Book - 99% Invisible The Real Book

: In 2004, the music publisher Hal Leonard released the first legal, licensed version, known as the Sixth Edition . This edition corrected many transcription errors and ensured songwriters finally received royalties . Content and Format : For decades, it was an unlicensed, illegal

: It was named "The Real Book" as a play on the term "fake book" and to signal its superior accuracy compared to the poorly transcribed commercial books of the time . Content and Format : It was named "The

is the most widely used collection of jazz standards, often referred to as a "fake book" by musicians . Originally a bootleg publication, it has since become the definitive reference for jazz education and professional performance . History and Origins

The Real Book was famously created in the mid-1970s by two students at the . Its origins are steeped in jazz lore: