Jazz lead sheet · Intermediate
Minor Blues in D
A minor blues in D, a comfortable key for horn players and a common session tune.
- Composer
- Traditional form
- Form
- 12-bar blues
- Key
- D minor
- Style
- Blues
- Length
- 12 bars
BluesD minor
i7D Dorian
i7D Dorian
i7D Dorian
i7D Dorian
iv7G Dorian
iv7G Dorian
i7D Dorian
i7D Dorian
subV7/VB♭ Lydian ♭7
V7A Altered
i7D Dorian
iiø7E Locrian
V7A Altered
For students
What to notice
- Dm7 is the tonic and Gm7 the iv7; only the V chord is major (A7).
- B♭7 in bar 9 is a ♭VI7 borrowed from D natural minor that pulls down to A7.
- The turnaround Em7♭5–A7alt is the minor ii–V that returns to the top.
Practice plan
Three steps to improvising
- Play D minor pentatonic throughout, then D Dorian for a lighter colour.
- Play the guide tones in bars 9–12 and hear the B♭7 to A7 resolution.
- Improvise a phrase and repeat it over the iv chord, changing only the clashing note.
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.