Making lead sheets

How to Write Lead Sheets

1. Step 1: Cleff, Key and Time Signature. When you start out writing a lead sheet you will want to write the clef, key, and time signature to the far left of the top line. ...
2. Step 2: Discovering the Melody. ...
3. Step 3: Discovering the Lead Sheet's Chords. ...
4. Step 4: Beautifying Your Lead Sheet.

1. What should be included in a lead sheet?
2. Are lead sheets legal?
3. What instruments can read lead sheets?

What should be included in a lead sheet?

Lead sheet notation is the most basic form of a piece of music. It contains the melody, the harmony, the rhythm, and (if the song has them) the lyrics. Melody: The majority of lead sheets contain only one staff, written in standard Western music notation.

Are lead sheets legal?

Lead sheet as legal definition of a song

In the music industry and entertainment law, a lead sheet is the document used to describe a song for legal purposes. ... Or if a song is considered for an Academy Award or a Grammy, the song is submitted for consideration in the form of a lead sheet.

What instruments can read lead sheets?

If you play a lead instrument such as lead guitar, trumpet, or sax, you'll focus on playing the melody. If you play a chordal instrument such as piano or rhythm guitar, play through the chord symbols.