Kent mentioned having audio performance of a pianist who accurately plays the melody of a given song citing George Shearing as an example. Another is the recently passed pianist Beegie Adair who has more than 5 or 6 hours of songbook standard performances on KZfaq. In a relaxed trio setting, she is faithful to a given song's structure without outlandish attention-seeking quartal chord substitutions, codas or whatever. All of what she does is well covered in Kent's video tutorials. The average song length is 2 and a half to 3 minutes. Consistently high standard of performance. I think it makes a worthy reference point.

I use them as a reference, when I don’t know a tune or to refresh my memory. I’ve been playing for such a long time that when I see something wrong I change the chord, I also tend to harmonize it my way. So, it depends on our experience. Great video!❤

Repeating in a different octave is so simple yet so effective. Thank for the video!!

'Time After Time' now you have been giving us excellent tutorials like this one! Can't thank you enough for sharing your knowledge and wisdom. Really enjoyed this tutorial and looking forward to the second part! Keep up the good work. Thank you Kent.

Kent, been following you for years and we can’t thank ya enough for all the knowledge and lessons! Always swinging! Admiring the equestrian on the ivory trottin’ along the fence line stackin’ the hay-block-chords and raking lines the troughs. 🎉

Great video Kent. There were so many gems in this lesson. I'm inspired to pick up my fake books and rework them. I also learned that I should listen to the greats for inspiration. Thank you so much

Wow, thanks Kent! This was a top-notch lesson. I could clearly see the passion and joy you have in teaching. Now if only you could tell us where to get these fake books…. 😅 I always look forward to seeing what you have to share with us. Every video is a treasure!

It always makes me smile to hear you PLAY, KH!! 🎵🎶 (and fake books ARE a cool tool, but only a point of departure for musicians like you!!) 🎹

Yippee, a new Kent video!! Missed you, man!

God bless and keep you! I wish I had heard of you when I was younger, But although I can barely hold my bass now, I revel in learning what I should have known so long ago!

What a great lesson. Thank you for the insights

I have a neighbor just like you, but skilled in a completely different craft. Humble and compassionate, but nevertheless a master. I'm so grateful to be able to tap into your knowledge. Thank you!

Great video coverage!!! Learned a lot ! Thanks Kent❤ Very insightful

Such good information once again. Many thanks Kent.

God Bless. Can't thank you enough. I think what you teach is piano wisdom. Be in good health.

Great video Kent! I recently started using Four Score on my iPad. I've scanned over 2,600 songs from my Facebook's into it. Now I can literally rewrite the harmony's right on the score. It's amazing how many fake tunes are actually wrong. I've learned a lot from you over the years and I really appreciate it.

Great tips as always! . When I used to buy and sell pianos, I was always getting pianos stools full of old sheet music books from the 1930s and 1940s. The chord progressions were so basic and simple. Then I discovered fake books. as you say, not always 100% correct but they give you ideas for many extra chord changes to bring a song to life. I always think the lyrics can help you with both melody and rhythm (whether you want to sing them or not) and I personally find that apart from the "official" chord voicing formulas, let your fingers and hands decide what works for you. I'm left handed with quite a wide span. for the spread voicings, I prefer 3 notes in the left hand and 2+ melody in the right. I also find using the "wheel" thing to slow down recordings to really listen to what is being played very helpful.

Hi from Michigan - Back in the day - 70 & 80's we used to buy fake books @ a music store and they were kept behind the conner. 100% illegal. Now they have them on Amazon - Cool stuff you are showing today. 🚂

Thank you Kent for this insightful video. I feel like I’m in a master jazz class because I take notes while you are talking and can then re read the notes and apply the knowledge and information later, plus save the information in a notebook for future reference. I also really like your personal notes/ stories about hearing famous musicians. Thanks again.

Thanks, Kent - more awesome content. And YES, please show us your analysis and improvements on the Fake Book harmonies. I find I sometimes make notes as I listen to your videos, then I can apply the principles to other songs (like don’t keep visiting the 1 chord, keep forward movement): it’s impossible to be lazy and study music! But you make it a pleasure to explore!

Great, love these vids. Up to autumn leaves in your book.

Thanks very much for sharing your knowledge and experience, Kent. I have your book. Please let us know if/when you ever do another book. Cheers!

Great video on one of my favorite songs. I really enjoyed the idea of going to the three chord instead of the one. Too many fake books just repeat 1 6 2 5 over and over. Boring! Thanks Ken.

Hey Kent, comment off topic here - but would you consider covering Day By Day by The Four Freshmen? That seems to be a less popular song, but it’s a song I enjoy and find to have an interesting harmony. I’d love to hear that by your talented hands sometime!

I have been waiting for your I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR YOUR FACEBOOK, BUT IF YOU DO THAT EVERY MUSICIAN WILL BECOME A LAZY BUM AND NEVER DO ANY WORK FOR THEMSELVES ANYMORE Facebook, but if you do that every musician will become a lazy bum and never do any work for themselves anymore

Frank Sinatra sings melody’s correctly