How to read a lead sheet

Learning jazz is very different than every other vocal art. So much of jazz is wrapped up in the emotion, but that emotion is hidden behind complicated chord progressions, tricky rhythmic passages, melodies that move and other talented musicians who don't have the time to wait around for you to get your act together. Anyone can learn to sing a song, but it takes a lot of skill to be a great jazz musician. I pride myself in the fact that I don't teach people how to just sing pretty. I train musicians.

Today's exercise is on how to approach a lead sheet. A lead sheet is a piece of music that is made up of one staff (treble clef) containing a basic melody and chord symbols located above the staff at the points where the chords change. This is what all jazz musicians use to read, so if you want to be a jazz singer, you better learn how to use it!

Below is a Super Simplified outline of how to approach reading a lead sheet. The steps might be in different orders or combined based on your own skills, but these are the things that will challenge you most. You will notice that improvisation was not a part of this outline. Stay tuned! That one gets its own post.

Step 1: Learn the rhythm! Some songs are incredibly easy and you'll have no trouble at all. Others might put up more of a fight because of their complex syncopation.

Step 2: Add the words and build an opinion of what this song means to you.

Step 3: Sing the melody. Solfegge is a great tool in learning melodies! Think of it as hand/finger position for singers. We don't have buttons to press, so it's important for singers to be able to understand how different pitches interact with each other within a tonal center. Otherwise, put those few years of piano that you may have had to good use and plunk it out on the piano.

Step 4: Build your song form. Jazz is great because it's all about putting your own personal touch on it. A song's form has to do with deciding the tempo/groove, arranging the into/ending and, probably the most important part, determining what key you want to sing it in. Jazz lead sheets are written in their original key, which might be too high or too low, so you'll have to transpose it to the key that achieves the right tone quality.

Step 5: Phrasing. Without phrasing, a song lacks direction and personality. Make it mean something to you! Technically, phrasing translate to dynamics, articulation, diction and attack, but artistically, it is defined by an emotion and something that will be unique to each performer.

My last entry had to do with setting goals. Take this outline, and use it as a guide to help you figure out where you need the most help. One person might have a great ear, but can't read music. Someone else might be able to sight read anything, but lack style and phrasing. You get my point. So, go find a lead sheet and give it a try!