Free for teachers and students
Jazz lead sheets for improvisation practice
Pick a standard and see why every chord works. Each chart shows the Roman numeral, the scale that fits and the guide tones, with ii–V brackets and resolution arrows drawn in. Transpose it to any key or instrument, play along with a looping rhythm section, quiz yourself on the analysis, and print a student worksheet with its answer key.
Analysis drawn in
Roman numerals, ii–V brackets, resolution arrows and key areas on every chart, with a reason for each chord.
Guide tones and arpeggios
Switch the chart to a staff of voice-led 3rds and 7ths, or chord arpeggios, in treble or bass clef.
The right scale, explained
Every chord gets a scale with chord tones marked, a reason it fits and alternatives to try.
Play along and loop
A rhythm section in swing or straight feel, a guide-tone pad, tempo control and section loops.
Practice mode
Hide the numerals or scales and answer chord by chord, with hints and explanations.
Printable worksheets
Print the chart, a write-in analysis worksheet, a blank guide-tone staff and an answer key.
Choose a tune
50 tunes
Tunes starting with A
- beginnerAll of MeSeymour Simons, Gerald MarksAn easy standard in C built from a chain of secondary dominants that each fall a 5th.Open lead sheet
- advancedAll the Things You AreJerome KernA tour of five keys built from root movement by 5ths, the classic test of a jazz musician's ears.Open lead sheet
- beginnerAutumn LeavesJoseph KosmaThe best first standard: a major ii–V–I and a minor ii–V–i side by side.Open lead sheet
Tunes starting with B
- intermediateBackdoor Turnaround DrillPractice drillThe backdoor progression: iv7 and ♭VII7 slipping home to the tonic instead of a V7.Open lead sheet
- intermediateBasin Street BluesSpencer WilliamsA Dixieland standard built on a 12-bar blues with a rocking I–IV–I opening.Open lead sheet
- advancedBird Blues in B♭Traditional form (after Charlie Parker)A bebop blues in B♭ built from a long chain of ii–Vs that step down through the key.Open lead sheet
- advancedBird Blues in FTraditional form (after Charlie Parker)Charlie Parker's bebop blues: a descending chain of ii–Vs packed into 12 bars.Open lead sheet
- intermediateBlue BossaKenny DorhamA bossa nova in C minor with a brief, bright trip to D♭ major.Open lead sheet
- beginnerBlue MonkThelonious MonkA riff blues by Thelonious Monk where the melody spells out the harmony.Open lead sheet
- intermediateBossa Nova in FPractice drillA gentle bossa loop in F: a I–ii vamp, a IV chord, then a ii–V back home.Open lead sheet
Tunes starting with C
Tunes starting with F
Tunes starting with G
Tunes starting with I
- intermediateI–VI–ii–V Turnarounds in CPractice drillThe I–VI–ii–V turnaround drill: the most common way to end a phrase and start the next chorus.Open lead sheet
- intermediateii–V–I Around the Circle of FifthsPractice drillTwelve major ii–V–Is, each a 5th below the last, walking the full circle back to C.Open lead sheet
- beginnerii–V–I Workout: Down in Whole StepsPractice drillThree major ii–V–Is, each a whole step lower: C, B♭ and A♭.Open lead sheet
- intermediateImpressionsJohn ColtraneA modal tune by John Coltrane: 16 bars of D Dorian, 8 of E♭ Dorian, and 8 of D Dorian again.Open lead sheet
Tunes starting with J
- intermediateJazz Blues in B♭Traditional formThe jazz blues in B♭, with a ii–V into the IV and a passing diminished chord.Open lead sheet
- intermediateJazz Blues in CTraditional formThe jazz blues in C, with a quick ii–V into the IV and a chromatic passing chord.Open lead sheet
- intermediateJazz Blues in FTraditional formThe jazz version of the blues, with ii–Vs, a passing diminished chord and a turnaround.Open lead sheet
Tunes starting with L
Tunes starting with M
- intermediateMinor Blues in CTraditional formA 12-bar blues in minor, with a ♭VI7 to V7 move that defines the sound.Open lead sheet
- intermediateMinor Blues in DTraditional formA minor blues in D, a comfortable key for horn players and a common session tune.Open lead sheet
- intermediateMinor Blues in GTraditional formA 12-bar minor blues whose ♭VI7 to V7 move defines the dark, modern sound.Open lead sheet
- advancedMinor ii–V–i ChainPractice drillA chain of minor ii–V–is that walks down in whole steps from A minor to E♭ minor.Open lead sheet
- intermediateMistyErroll GarnerA ballad in E♭ by Erroll Garner: a study in ii–V motion and chromatic bass lines.Open lead sheet
- intermediateMr. P.C.John ColtraneA driving minor blues in C minor by John Coltrane, named for his bassist Paul Chambers.Open lead sheet
- intermediateMy Funny ValentineRichard RodgersA Rodgers ballad in C minor, famous for its chromatic inner line and wide leaps.Open lead sheet
Tunes starting with O
Tunes starting with R
- advancedRhythm Changes in B♭Traditional formThe second most important jazz form: fast I–vi–ii–V turnarounds and a bridge of dominants.Open lead sheet
- advancedRhythm Changes in CTraditional formThe rhythm changes in C, an easy key to see the I–vi–ii–V and the dominant bridge.Open lead sheet
- advancedRhythm Changes in FTraditional formI–vi–ii–V turnarounds in F with the classic chain-of-dominants bridge.Open lead sheet
Tunes starting with S
- intermediateSatin DollDuke Ellington & Billy StrayhornA tune made of repeated ii–Vs that step up, then slide down to the tonic.Open lead sheet
- beginnerSo WhatMiles DavisThe landmark modal tune: 16 bars of D Dorian, 8 of E♭ Dorian, and 8 of D Dorian again.Open lead sheet
- intermediateSolarMiles DavisA 12-bar loop of ii–Vs that tours three keys, each a whole step lower.Open lead sheet
- intermediateSong for My FatherHorace SilverA bossa-flavoured minor tune in F minor with two A sections and a dominant bridge.Open lead sheet
- intermediateSt. Louis BluesW. C. HandyThe W. C. Handy classic, played here as a 12-bar blues with a II7–V7 finish.Open lead sheet
- advancedStella by StarlightVictor YoungA long, winding ballad form packed with ii–Vs, minor ii–Vs and surprising key moves.Open lead sheet
Tunes starting with T
- intermediateTake the "A" TrainBilly StrayhornDuke Ellington's theme song, famous for its bright D7♯11 in bar 3.Open lead sheet
- intermediateThe Girl from IpanemaAntônio Carlos JobimA bossa nova classic whose 16-bar bridge travels far from home through new keys.Open lead sheet
- intermediateThings Ain’t What They Used to BeMercer EllingtonA relaxed blues in D♭ with a VI7 that points toward the II7 and the final cadence.Open lead sheet
- advancedTritone Substitution DrillPractice drillReplace G7 with D♭7: the tritone substitute keeps the same guide tones but slides the bass down a half step.Open lead sheet
Tunes starting with W
Other
- beginner12-Bar Blues in B♭Traditional formThe three-chord blues every jam session starts with: I7, IV7 and V7.Open lead sheet
- beginner12-Bar Blues in CTraditional formThe same blues shape in C, the easiest key to see on the piano.Open lead sheet
- beginner12-Bar Blues in E♭Traditional formThe basic blues in the key horns call most often at jam sessions.Open lead sheet
- beginner12-Bar Blues in FTraditional formThe three-chord blues in F, the key most jam sessions count off first.Open lead sheet
- beginner12-Bar Blues in GTraditional formA bright guitar-friendly blues where the V chord pulls strongly back home.Open lead sheet
In the classroom
A four-step routine for any tune
Use the same routine with a beginner on a blues or an advanced student on Giant Steps. Each step adds one layer, so students hear the harmony before they improvise over it.
- Hear the form. Play along with roots only. Students call out each section as it arrives.
- Find the road map. Turn on the brackets and key areas. Where does the tune leave home, and how does it get back?
- Connect the guide tones. Play the 3rds and 7ths with the backing track, then sing them.
- Improvise with targets. Use the suggested scale, landing on a guide tone at each chord change.
Chord changes only: melodies and lyrics are not reproduced. Pair each chart with a recording or a licensed fake book.
Frequently asked questions
Are the melodies included?
No. Each lead sheet shows the chord changes only, written out by Music Theory Lessons from common performance versions. Melodies and lyrics of copyrighted songs are not reproduced, so use a licensed fake book or recording to learn the tune itself.
What are guide tones?
Guide tones are the 3rd and 7th of each chord. They decide whether a chord is major, minor or dominant, and in most progressions they move by a half step or stay put from chord to chord. Playing them is the quickest way to hear the changes in a solo.
How is the chord scale chosen?
Each chord is analysed in its key area. A ii chord takes Dorian, a V7 resolving to major takes Mixolydian, a V7 resolving to minor takes Phrygian dominant, and altered symbols such as 7alt or 7♯11 point to the altered or Lydian dominant scale. The chord inspector explains each choice and suggests alternatives.
Can I transpose the charts for B♭ and E♭ instruments?
Yes. Choose a concert key, then pick B♭, E♭, F or bass clef. The chart, analysis, guide tones and printed worksheets are all rewritten in your written key, while the play-along stays in concert pitch so everyone can play together.
Can students practise the analysis?
Yes. Turn on a practice mode to hide the Roman numerals or scales. Students choose an answer for each chord, get a hint after a wrong answer, and see the explanation once they have it. The printed worksheet has write-in boxes and an optional answer key.
Can I analyse my own chord progression?
Yes. Type any changes into the progression builder and it draws the same chart: Roman numerals, scales, guide tones, play-along and printing. You can share the link with your students.