The original songbook is a time capsule of late 70s/early 80s pop culture. Since the VL-1 cannot play chords, the book teaches you how to play the melody line of famous standards and public domain works.
The standard tracklist usually includes:
Note: There were two editions of the songbook. The Japanese version included "Sakura Sakura," while the European version included folk songs like "Au Clair de la Lune."
While you can find YouTube tutorials for specific songs, the Casio VL-Tone Songbook PDF offers irreplaceable value:
Once you have mastered the songs in the original PDF, you can hack your VL-Tone. While the songbook doesn't cover this, knowing the internal electronics allows you to do "circuit bending." casio vl-tone songbook pdf
If you find the Casio VL-Tone Songbook PDF, you will immediately notice it does not look like standard sheet music. Casio used a proprietary tablature system.
Understanding the grid:
The Number System: Because the VL-1 keys are small and numbered (like a calculator), the songbook writes note numbers instead of note names.
Pro Tip: Print the PDF and use a highlighter to write the actual note letters (C, D, E) above the Casio numbers until you memorize them. The original songbook is a time capsule of
After digging through the archives of obsolete Japanese tech blogs and cross-referencing with the Internet Archive (Wayback Machine), I have compiled the definitive guide to getting your hands on the Casio VL-Tone Songbook PDF.
Here is what you need to know:
There are actually two versions of the songbook:
How to get the PDF (Legitimately):
Since I cannot host the file directly on this blog due to copyright technicalities (though Casio has largely abandoned these copyrights), here is the best path:
Pro Tip: When you find the PDF, look for the version that includes the "Chord Chart." The VL-Tone could play chords via the calculator buttons (A=La, B=Ti, etc.), and without that chart, you are flying blind.
The primary source of music for most users was the included Owner’s Manual. Unlike modern manuals that focus strictly on technical specs, the VL-1 manual functioned as a beginner's songbook.
If you have the PDF but your VL-1 is broken (a common issue due to the fragile speaker membrane), you can still use the songbook. Note: There were two editions of the songbook
Use the Songbook with Software: