Lead Sheet

A lead sheet is a musical document that provides the essential elements needed for a performance. It typically includes the song’s melody written in standard notation, the chord symbols indicating the harmonic structure, and the lyrics if applicable. This format allows musicians to understand the song's core structure quickly and improvisate or accompany based on the chords and melody. Lead sheets are widely used in jazz, pop, and other genres for flexible, expressive playing, serving as a blueprint for interpretation while leaving room for individual creativity.