Double Bass iPhone Real Book?!?

[MikeBass]

Bump this back up....is this app for Android gone now??? I can't find it anyplace....

 

[David Morris]

Some changes (no pun intended) have been made.

 

[Stev187]

The only drawback is sometimes other folks' amplifiers pick up that characteristic iphone interference.

I've had my iPhone less than a week; can't charge it in the car and listen to the radio--immediate loss of any FM station when the iPhone is plugged into the charger. ;-(

--Steve

 

[powerbass]

switch the iphone to airplane mode in your settings this shuts off the interference, remember to switch it off when your done

 

[bassman_al]

i cant immagine actually reading a chart off of an iphone.

Neither could I. Until I had to. It worked! Wouldn't want to do it all night, but its better than "Gosh fellas, I wish we could play that song but I don't know it and don't have a chart."

And as far as the "purists" out there who say that any chart-oriented gadget or tool is a sign that the jazz apocalypse is upon us, that we should all either memorize the tune or get off the stage, well, it just gets me thinking of all the teachers out there who refuse to use charts when teaching for fear of ruining jazz because it was only meant to be learned by ear.

I'm a hard-working part-time player. I can read music and I've taken the time to learn to play jazz, but I didn't go to music school and I have no desire to become a full time musician. Heck, I don't even play upright bass! But I know how to get gigs and have been able to play many jazz gigs despite my limitations. If it weren't for this app and other helpful tools on the internet, I would never have been able to enjoy the many hours on stage playing great music with talented musicians.

OK, rant/thread de-rail over.

I use this app all the time. I love the changes used on these tunes from the library available in the iRealB forum and have played entire gigs with singers who use non-standard keys using just the charts I print out from this app. Yes, it would be nice to have the melody as well, but for $20, this app does amazing things. Great to use for silent rehearsals as well, goes without saying.

 

[statsc]

+ 1 to all this! I've got 60+ year-old eyes, which means I can't read anything without drugstore reading glasses. I never thought I'd be able to read iRealb charts on a gig, but I find that I can actually read them better than paper charts! The fact that they're backlit eliminates the need for a stand light that will often throw shadows on the chart and requires yet another extension chord or constant spare batteries on hand. Also, the ability to transpose on the fly lets me use it with all those singers who sing these tunes in different keys. I can usually transpose in my head, but this is a lot easier! Plus, it's FAR less to carry to the gig than several Real/Fake Books. Also, if a tune is
called that isn't included in the app, you can usually download it immediately from the forums and play it immediately. Finally, its use as a practice tool and when gigs get scarce (as they always do!) makes it invaluable. The best $10 I ever spent! It's worth getting a smartphone just to have this app!

 

[bass81800]

After using iRealb on an iTouch, I decided to take advantage of the fact that this app is now android.

I just purchased a cheap Google Play tablet with 9.2" screen for around $100. When it arrives tomorrow, will get it all set up. Apparently, iRealb runs on many tablets, especially ones with ice cream sandwich and others.

I opted for this instead of an iPad, cost being the biggest factor, and looking forward to the larger screen, and a tablet with a longer battery life than the iTouch.

 

[bassman_al]

Keep us posted in the Google Play and how it works out for you!