Jazz lead sheet · Intermediate
Mr. P.C.
A driving minor blues in C minor by John Coltrane, named for his bassist Paul Chambers.
- Composer
- John Coltrane
- Form
- 12-bar blues
- Key
- C minor
- Style
- Blues
- Length
- 12 bars
BluesC minor
i7C Dorian
i7C Dorian
i7C Dorian
i7C Dorian
iv7F Dorian
iv7F Dorian
i7C Dorian
i7C Dorian
subV7/VA♭ Lydian ♭7
V7G Phryg. dom.
i7C Dorian
i7C Dorian
For students
What to notice
- It is a minor blues: the tonic is Cm7 and the IV chord is Fm7.
- A♭7 in bar 9 is ♭VI7; it falls a half step to G7, the V7, for the strongest pull home.
- The last bar is often played as a turnaround (Dm7♭5–G7) that resets the form.
Practice plan
Three steps to improvising
- Play C minor pentatonic over the whole form, then switch to G altered at bar 10.
- Arpeggiate A♭7 to G7 and hear the half-step bass move.
- Keep the tempo even and steady; this tune is usually played fast.
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.