THE SHEIK

C, Bb , Bass Clef and E b Editions available

Here is the long-awaited release of Volume 2 of The Sheik's Dixieland Fake Book! You will find it more challenging than Volume 1 and it is sure to make an excellent addition to your library. There are NO DUPLICATE tunes in these two collections.

Q. What is the difference between the Dixieland Fake Book Vol. 1 and Vol. 2?

A. Volume 1 is the "basic book" with all the commonly played Dixieland tunes, tunes commonly requested for hotel and convention gigs, and some advanced goodies to grow on.

Volume 2 is the advanced book featuring transcriptions of classic records that aren't commonly played because the tunes can be difficult and the music has not been widely available.

The following excerpt from The Sheik's Introduction provides valuable insight into the meticulous care and thought that went into the production of Volume 2.

"I know you're just panting to get at the tunes, but put your axe down and get out the records.  You need to listen to them, to learn the feel and phrasing of the music, to what I left out or couldn't represent.

Here are "hard-core" jazz classics from the 1920's:  King Oliver '23, Morton Armstrong's Hot 5 & 7, Bix, Bessie Smith, Ellington; 1940s-50s compositions of Bechet, Lu Watters and the West Coast Revivalists; mid-40's "New Orleans Revival" tunes of George Lewis, Kid Ory, Bunk Johnson.  Plus some lesser known tunes that have held me over many hearings.

Most sheets are closely related to the original records.  Most are transcribed in part, some of them completely.  The goal is to preserve the music be enabling you to play the tunes, secondly to play in the style of the records and the key performers.  I used published music as available for popular-type tunes that stand on their own.  I made tune-by-tune decisions on how to present them.  

Many of these tunes do not have discrete melodies.  These are jazz records and from the start the melody line is often embellished, and what melody there is may not even be repeated consistently.  Mind you, each tune is a composition, consciously created by someone, with specific chords, and arranged to varying degrees for the record.  The musicians were first-rate professionals, so what they play should be taken seriously."

The Sheik's Dixieland Fake Book, Volume 2:

Comb-bound 81/2 x 11 inch book
20s jazz classics--King Oliver '23, Armstrong Hot 5 & 7, Jelly Roll Morton Red Hot Peppers, Bix, Johnny Dodds, etc.
West Coast and New Orleans Revival tunes, 40s-50s Sidney Bechet compositions, early Ellington
Tunes by Bessie Smith and other singers that are part of the Dixieland repertoire; classic "naughty novelties"
Most sheets transcribed at least in part, sometimes completely, from the records
Most sheets have some info on the records and other sources.
Large-print notes and chord symbols, 4 bars per staff
Performance notes--routines, suggested tempos, type of rhythm
312 pages, 193 tunes
Combined index to vols. 1 & 2; key artist index

Lyrics:   The Sheik has put lyrics at the bottom of the pages where space permitted. However, many of the best vocal tunes and female vocal show-pieces, are verse-chorus tunes with insufficient space on the page. These are on separate sheets, available FREE via e-mail after you place your order.   NOTE:  No paper copies or lyrics pages are available.  E-mail only.   Click here to view sample lyrics page.