Jazz lead sheet · Intermediate

Lady Bird

Major 7ths and borrowed ii–Vs, ending with the famous "Lady Bird" turnaround.

Composer: Tadd Dameron
Form: 16 bars
Key: C major
Style: Swing
Length: 16 bars

Tempo152 bpmLoop

Practice

C majorConcert pitch16 bars

AC major

Imaj7C Ionian

iv7F Dorian

♭VII7B♭ Lydian ♭7

A♭ major

Imaj7C Ionian

ii7B♭ Dorian

V7E♭ Mixolydian

BG major

Imaj7A♭ Ionian

ii7A Dorian

V7D Mixolydian

C major

ii7D Dorian

V7G Mixolydian

Imaj7C Ionian

V7/♭VIE♭ Mixolydian

♭VImaj7A♭ Ionian

subV7D♭ Lydian ♭7

For students

What to notice

Fm7–B♭7 is borrowed from C minor (iv7–♭VII7): a backdoor route home to Cmaj7.
B♭m7–E♭7 is a ii–V that lands on A♭maj7, a major 3rd below C.
The last two bars, Cmaj7–E♭7–A♭maj7–D♭7, are the Lady Bird turnaround: roots fall in major 3rds and half steps.

Practice plan

Three steps to improvising

Compare Fm7–B♭7–Cmaj7 with Dm7–G7–Cmaj7. Which guide tones are different?
Play only the turnaround in a loop until the root pattern feels natural.
Use C major for bars 1–2 and A♭ major for bars 9–10, then hear the difference.

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.