Jazz lead sheet · Beginner
Blue Monk
A riff blues by Thelonious Monk where the melody spells out the harmony.
- Composer
- Thelonious Monk
- Form
- 12-bar blues
- Key
- B♭ major
- Style
- Blues
- Length
- 12 bars
BluesB♭ major
I7B♭ Mixolydian
IV7E♭ Mixolydian
I7B♭ Mixolydian
I7B♭ Mixolydian
IV7E♭ Mixolydian
IV7E♭ Mixolydian
I7B♭ Mixolydian
I7B♭ Mixolydian
V7F Mixolydian
IV7E♭ Mixolydian
I7B♭ Mixolydian
V7F Mixolydian
For students
What to notice
- It is a straight 12-bar blues, but the IV chord (E♭7) arrives early, in bar 2.
- The guide tones are almost the melody: the 3rds and 7ths of each chord, moving by half steps.
- Monk keeps the changes plain so that rhythm and the blues scale carry the solo.
Practice plan
Three steps to improvising
- Play roots with a shuffling feel until the riff sits naturally.
- Play the guide tones through the form, then add the blues scale.
- Learn the riff by ear from a recording and play it in time with the backing.
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.