Jazz lead sheet · Intermediate
Take the "A" Train
Duke Ellington's theme song, famous for its bright D7♯11 in bar 3.
- Composer
- Billy Strayhorn
- Form
- AABA, 32 bars
- Key
- C major
- Style
- Swing
- Length
- 32 bars
A1C major
I6C Ionian
I6C Ionian
II7D Lydian ♭7
II7D Lydian ♭7
ii7D Dorian
V7G Mixolydian
I6C Ionian
ii7D Dorian
V7G Mixolydian
A2
I6C Ionian
I6C Ionian
II7D Lydian ♭7
II7D Lydian ♭7
ii7D Dorian
V7G Mixolydian
I6C Ionian
I6C Ionian
BF major
Imaj7F Ionian
Imaj7F Ionian
Imaj7F Ionian
Imaj7F Ionian
C major
II7D Lydian ♭7
II7D Lydian ♭7
ii7D Dorian
V7G Mixolydian
A3
I6C Ionian
I6C Ionian
II7D Lydian ♭7
II7D Lydian ♭7
ii7D Dorian
V7G Mixolydian
I6C Ionian
ii7D Dorian
V7G Mixolydian
For students
What to notice
- D7♯11 is II7. It doesn't fall to G right away; it moves to Dm7 first. Its ♯11 (G♯) is the colour Strayhorn wrote.
- The A sections are a ii–V–I in C with that D7♯11 detour.
- The bridge moves to F major (IV), then D7 (V7/V) leads back through G7 to the last A.
Practice plan
Three steps to improvising
- Play C major, then D Lydian dominant: only the F♯ and G♯ change.
- Arpeggiate D7 with the ♯11 added: D F♯ A C G♯.
- Improvise with targeted notes: land on G♯ in bars 3–4 and on F♯ in bars 21–22.
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.