Lead sheet
A short form of written music giving a melody in notation with chord symbols above it, leaving the accompaniment to the performer.
A lead sheet states the essentials and nothing more: the tune, the harmony and often the form and style, with the rhythm part left to be invented. Jazz standards are almost always learned from lead sheets, which is why comping and interpretation are such valued skills in that world; two guitarists reading the same sheet will produce completely different accompaniments. Guitarists who read only tab often find lead sheets a challenge because the melody is notated rather than tabbed.
Example: A single page showing a melody line with chord symbols printed above the stave is a lead sheet.
See also
Related
- PageChord progression
- PageComping
- PageRhythm slash notation
- PageAugmented chord
- PageBlue note
- PageBlues scale
- PageAaron Dessner
- PageAce Frehley