Jazz lead sheet · Intermediate
Bossa Nova in F
A gentle bossa loop in F: a I–ii vamp, a IV chord, then a ii–V back home.
- Composer
- Practice drill
- Form
- 16 bars
- Key
- F major
- Style
- Bossa nova
- Length
- 16 bars
AF major
Imaj7F Ionian
ii7G Dorian
Imaj7F Ionian
ii7G Dorian
IVmaj7B♭ Lydian
B♭ Dorian
♭VII7E♭ Lydian ♭7
Imaj7F Ionian
V7/iiD Phryg. dom.
ii7G Dorian
V7C Mixolydian
Imaj7F Ionian
Imaj7F Ionian
ii7G Dorian
V7C Mixolydian
Imaj7F Ionian
Imaj7F Ionian
For students
What to notice
- Fmaj7 to Gm7 simply adds the 2nd to the tonic sound; almost nothing moves.
- B♭m7–E♭7 is a backdoor ii–V that slips back to the tonic.
- D7 is a secondary dominant, V7/ii, that sets up the Gm7–C7–Fmaj7 turnaround.
Practice plan
Three steps to improvising
- Play roots in half notes and feel the straighter bossa pulse.
- Play the guide tones with an even, straight feel.
- Improvise with F major and add G♯ over D7 to outline the secondary dominant.
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.