Jazz lead sheet · Beginner
Autumn Leaves
The best first standard: a major ii–V–I and a minor ii–V–i side by side.
- Composer
- Joseph Kosma
- Form
- AABC, 32 bars
- Key
- G minor
- Style
- Swing
- Length
- 32 bars
A1B♭ major
ii7C Dorian
V7F Mixolydian
Imaj7B♭ Ionian
IVmaj7E♭ Lydian
G minor
iiø7A Locrian
V7D Phryg. dom.
i6G Mel. minor
i6G Mel. minor
A2B♭ major
ii7C Dorian
V7F Mixolydian
Imaj7B♭ Ionian
IVmaj7E♭ Lydian
G minor
iiø7A Locrian
V7D Phryg. dom.
i6G Mel. minor
i6G Mel. minor
B
iiø7A Locrian
V7D Phryg. dom.
i6G Mel. minor
i6G Mel. minor
B♭ major
ii7C Dorian
V7F Mixolydian
Imaj7B♭ Ionian
IVmaj7E♭ Lydian
CG minorE♭ major
iiø7A Locrian
V7D Phryg. dom.
G Dorian
V7/iiC Phryg. dom.
ii7F Dorian
V7B♭ Mixolydian
G minor
Imaj7E♭ Ionian
iiø7A Locrian
V7D Phryg. dom.
i6G Mel. minor
i6G Mel. minor
For students
What to notice
- Two keys share one key signature: B♭ major (Cm7–F7–B♭maj7) and its relative, G minor (Am7♭5–D7–Gm6).
- The major ii–V–I uses m7 → 7 → maj7. The minor ii–V–i uses m7♭5 → 7 → m6. Compare their colours.
- In bars 27–28, Gm7–C7 and Fm7–B♭7 move down in whole steps: two quick ii–Vs that land on E♭maj7, briefly in E♭ major.
Practice plan
Three steps to improvising
- Play the guide tones for bars 1–8 and notice how each 7th falls a half step to the next 3rd.
- Learn the major and minor ii–V–I arpeggios separately, then join them.
- Improvise with B♭ major for the major half and G harmonic minor for the minor half.
For teachers
Using this chart in class
- Project the chart with Play along running and loop one section while students find the guide tones.
- Choose Practice → Name the numerals for a whole-class quiz: students vote, then reveal the explanation.
- Mixed ensemble? Print the worksheet once per transposition: B♭, E♭, F and bass clef parts all line up bar for bar.
- Share a link: the key, instrument and view you choose are saved in the address bar.
Chord changes are common performance versions written out by Music Theory Lessons. No melodies or lyrics are reproduced. Names of songs and composers are used only to identify each tune.