The Real Book

The Real Book is a widely used collection of jazz lead sheets, which feature melodies and chords for thousands of songs. Originally compiled in the 1970s by college musicians, it was intended as a resource for improvisation and performance. The book includes iconic jazz standards and is valued for its accessibility and variety. Musicians often rely on it for gigs and jam sessions. Despite its informal origins, The Real Book has gained significant respect in the music community, though it has historically faced copyright issues due to the unauthorized distribution of its content.