How to Read Lead Sheets

Being able to interpret lead sheets is a valuable skill for any guitar player to have, as it tests all aspects of your musicianship: improvisation, sight reading, and timing, to name a few. If you’ve looked at a lead sheet, you may have asked yourself “Where are all the notes!?” A lead sheet is a type of sheet music arrangement used by many instrumentalists, bands, and even vocalists. They may only be a page or two, but they have many uses.

LEAD SHEET EXAMPLE 1

LEAD SHEET EXAMPLE 2

LEAD SHEET EXAMPLE 3

LEAD SHEET EXAMPLE 4