Lead Sheets

Lead sheets, sometimes referred to as ‘cheat sheets’ or ‘guide sheets’, are a short-hand way of notating
music which relies on being able to read Treble Clef, and having knowledge of chords. There are 2
different ways to read the chord symbols on lead sheets; Letters and Roman numerals.
Lead sheets don’t tell you which inversion to use, or how to play the chord; that part is up to the player to
decide. They should be seen as ‘guides’ that you have some free reign over, allowing for creativity.

The Letter way is the most common. Eg; a ‘G’ means a G major chord, and ‘Gm’ means a G minor chord.
This excerpt below is in the key of G major (we know that because of the F# key signature), however,
there are some extra accidentals in some of the chords, which makes the harmony more interesting.

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Chords needed:

The chords notated above are suggested placement, and are all in root
position. Experiment with different inversions, and try breaking up the
notes in the chords and come up with your own arrangement!
Enjoy the possibilities of how you could play the harmony.
 Greensleeves

This is in the key of D minor, we know that because of the Bb in the key signature and the piece ends on
D. It switches between the harmonic and natural minor, as the C changes between natural and sharp.

Chords needed:

Although he was an accomplished musician and composer, King

Henry VIII did not actually compose Greensleeves!
The songs full title is ‘A Newe Northern Dittye Of Ye Lady Greene
Sleves’, is based on an Italian style of song that didn’t reach England
until after King Henry VIII death, in 1547.