Jazz lead sheet · Beginner

So What

The landmark modal tune: 16 bars of D Dorian, 8 of E♭ Dorian, and 8 of D Dorian again.

Composer: Miles Davis
Form: AABA, 32 bars
Key: D minor
Style: Modal
Length: 32 bars

Tempo136 bpmLoop

Practice

D minorConcert pitchAABA, 32 bars

A1D minor

i7D Dorian

BE♭ minor

i7E♭ Dorian

A3D minor

i7D Dorian

For students

What to notice

Only one chord per section: the challenge is to create shape without chord changes.
The bridge lifts the whole mode up a half step. Every note in E♭ Dorian is a half step above D Dorian.
The 6th of the scale (B natural in D Dorian) is the note that makes Dorian brighter than natural minor.

Practice plan

Three steps to improvising

Play D Dorian from D to D, then from F to F, to hear the mode from different starting points.
Practise switching to E♭ Dorian on the bridge downbeat without stopping.
Build a solo from one rhythm motif, moving it up and down the mode.

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.