Basic knowledge

Two things you need to know to play successfully from a fake book.

1. How to interpret chord symbols. Learn all the various types of chords. A chor type in one key in the same in aother key.

There are common chord progression. Familiarize with them.

Some knowledge of basic music theory is important.

2. Learn how to make the accompaniment interesting. Learn how to give character to the chords and rhythms so that your music has flavor and motion in your playing.

Just knowing the correct note of each chords is not satisfying.
It can be very dull and amateurish.

Learn how to use easy to play patterns.
You get amazing pleasing results.
So it doesn't take much to sound professional.


Learn to focus on different accompaniment patterns and on how to play any tune in a stylistically way. Learn to fit the style to the tune.