The Ultimate Fake Book: 4th Edition Review – 400 Songs for Every Musician

If you’ve ever wished for a single book packed with hundreds of songs from across decades and genres, The Ultimate Fake Book: 4th Edition might just be the gem you’re looking for. With nearly 400 songs, it’s designed as a versatile resource for ukulele, piano, guitar, or really any concert pitch instrument.

This massive collection includes classics from jazz, rock, pop, country, and Broadway, making it a go-to fake book for jam sessions, practice, or casual play with family and friends.

Key Features

• 🎵 Nearly 400 songs from early 20th-century classics to modern hits.

• 🎶 Leadsheets format – melody line, lyrics, and chords (no TAB).

• 🎹 Multi-instrument use – works for ukulele, guitar, piano, or any concert pitch instrument.

• 📖 Durable physical book – thick enough to challenge your music stand.

What Musicians Are Saying

⭐ Elizabeth – 4.0 out of 5 stars
"The collection of songs is fantastic, such a wide range of music. I love it, but there is no contents or list of songs, so if I want to pick a song to learn, I have to flip through page by page. The Kindle version is harder since there’s no easy search. I’d recommend the physical copy over digital."

⭐ Johnny D – 5.0 out of 5 stars
"Lots and lots of material. The music is very small but has a good selection of songs to choose from."

⭐ P.K. Frary – 5.0 out of 5 stars
"What a beast of a fake book. It’s huge and almost collapses my music stand! Literally hundreds of popular songs from the early 20th century to just a few years ago, with a heavy sprinkling of classic rock, C&W, and pop of the 60s–90s. The notes are large and easy to read from a few feet away. Works for any concert pitch instrument. Remember, these are leadsheets—you’re supposed to improvise, hence the term ‘fakebook.’ Great collection and I’m glad I bought it!"

⭐ Michael Wms – 5.0 out of 5 stars
"One of my favorite ukulele books. When family and friends are just playing around, this book has something for everyone. Lots of songs from multiple genres."

Pros & Cons

✅ Pros

• Massive collection of songs (nearly 400).

• Works for multiple instruments.

• Great for jamming with friends or solo practice.

• Covers wide variety of genres and eras.
  
  NOTE this book Doesn’t include chord diagrams (only chord symbols).

Who Is This Book For?

• Ukulele players who want a go-to collection beyond just uke-specific books.

• Guitarists and pianists looking for a versatile jam session book.

• Music learners who want to practice sight-reading and improvisation.

• Families & groups wanting a shared resource with songs for everyone.

Final Thoughts

The Ultimate Fake Book: 4th Edition lives up to its name—it’s truly ultimate in terms of song variety, versatility, and usefulness. While the small print and lack of an index in the Kindle version are drawbacks, the sheer quantity of music makes it a must-have for many musicians.

If you’re looking for one book that covers decades of music and works across instruments, this is a solid choice.