This report assumes the context of a Bb Instrumentalist (such as a Tenor Saxophonist, Soprano Saxophonist, or Trumpeter) playing from a "Concert Key" Real Book, or an ensemble analyzing the characteristics of the keys that result from this transposition.
| Instrument | Transposition | |------------|----------------| | Tenor sax | Bb (sounds M2 below written) | | Trumpet / Cornet | Bb (sounds M2 below written) | | Soprano sax | Bb (sounds M2 below written) | | Clarinet (standard) | Bb (sounds M2 below written) | | Flugelhorn | Bb |
If you play piano, guitar, bass, flute, or alto sax (Eb), this book is not in your key — you’d need to transpose or find a concert/Eb version. -FULL- 557 jazz standards in bb
These tunes form the foundation of the 557 songs:
For the modern jazz musician, the journey from student to seasoned performer is often measured in repertoire. You need to know the tunes—the timeless chord changes, the memorable melodies, and the history behind them. But for players of Bb instruments (tenor sax, trumpet, clarinet, soprano sax, flugelhorn), there’s an additional hurdle: transposition. What is concert C is your D. What is concert F is your G. This report assumes the context of a Bb
That is why the collection known as “-FULL- 557 Jazz Standards in Bb” has become a legendary, almost mythical, resource in practice rooms and green rooms worldwide. It is not just a book of songs; it is a roadmap to the American Songbook and the Jazz canon, tailored specifically for the Bb soloist.
In this article, we will dissect what this collection contains, why the number 557 is significant, how to use these leadsheets effectively, and why having the “full” version changes your musical trajectory. What’s inside:
There is a common misconception that “Fake Book” means “incorrect.” The term originated because musicians would “fake” their way through a tune using only the chords and melody. However, the -FULL- 557 Jazz Standards in Bb is often distinguished by:
First, let’s decode the keyword. The term “-FULL-” indicates that this is not an abridged "top 100" list or a sampler. It is the complete, unabridged collection. "557" refers to the total count of individual pieces (tunes, songs, and compositions) included in the set. "Jazz standards" are the core repertoire—songs from the Great American Songbook, bebop classics, and modal masterpieces that every jazz musician must know. Finally, "in bb" (sometimes written as Bb) specifies that all 557 charts are pre-transposed for B-flat instruments.
Unlike a fake book in Concert C (which requires a tenor player to transpose up a whole step on the fly), this collection allows a trumpeter to read a "C" on the page and finger a "C" on their horn, while the rest of the band hears a concert Bb.