Lead Sheets

Lead Sheets

A LEAD SHEET is music industry jargon for a musical notation of a song's melody, along with the chord symbols, lyrics, and other pertinent information

Essentials of the Lead Sheet

A lead sheet is similar to the sheet music you buy in the stores. It contains, essentially, all the same elements, but will usually be a handwritten rather than a printed notation of the notes, chord symbols, and lyric. A lead sheet, of course, will not be offered for commercial sale.

Your lead sheet should contain the following:

1. The song's title and the author(s) of the words and music.

2. Where you can be reached - that is, your name, address, and telephone number.

3. Copyright notice. Even if you have not filed registration for your song with the Copyright Office, you should write in the proper copyright notice on the first page of your lead sheet.

4. The style or tempo of the music (place this above the first measure of music). This can be "waltz," "slow and rhythmic," "moderately,"with a driving beat," etc.

5. Treble clef sign. Lead sheets should be written in the treble clef or G clef, the most commonly used clef today.

6. Key signature. The key your song is in should be notated by placing the proper accidentals - flats or sharps (or neither for the key of C) - after the treble clef sign.

7. Time signature. Place the time signature on the staff directly after the key signature. The time signature is written to show the method of measuring for your music. A common time signature is 3/4 ("three-four"). The top number designates how many beats there will be in each measure and the bottom designates what note value receives one beat. Thus, the 3/4 time signature specifies that there are 3 beats per measure and the quarter note (or rest) receives one beat.

8. Bar lines. Measures are separated by vertical bars or bar lines. The first bar line in the piece is placed after the last note (or rest) of the first measure; that is, not after the time signature.

9. Notes below the third line should generally have stems going up on the right side; notes on or above the third line should generally have stems going down on the left side.

10. Even spacing. Space the notes and measures as evenly as possible. Be sure not to crowd sixteenth notes too close together, otherwise you will not be able to fit all the words or syllables that correspond to these notes under the group. Evenly spaced measures make for a more legible and attractive lead sheet copy.

11. Complete measures. Each measure must contain the exact combination of note and/or rest values as indicated by the top number of the time signature. This may seem obvious but incomplete measures are found to be a common error.

12. Lyric. Write or type the lyric below the musical staff, each word or syllable directly under the note it corresponds to. For a sustained (tied or whole) note, insert the word or syllable directly under the note and draw a straight line from the bottom of the last letter of the word or syllable to where the next note or rest begins.

13. Chord symbols. Write all chords symbols in their proper places above the musical staff - that is, above a particular note, rest, or beat.

Never give away your last lead sheet copy. To prevent this, keep your original or master copy in safe keeping. It is advisable that you keep several duplicate copies in a convenient place for easy access when you need them.
It is not always necessary to have a lead sheet when submitting your song to a publisher or producer. If you present a demo of a song that they accept, they will assume the responsibility of making one themselves. But at least have a typed copy of the lyric available.
As its name suggests, a lead sheet guides the person along when listening to your song.

Lead Sheets

Album: Blue and White

Album: July Moon

Lead Sheets
A LEAD SHEET is music industry jargon for a musical notation of a song's melody, along with the chord symbols, lyrics, and other pertinent information
Essentials of the Lead Sheet
A lead sheet is similar to the sheet music you buy in the stores. It contains, essentially, all the same elements, but will usually be a handwritten rather than a printed notation of the notes, chord symbols, and lyric. A lead sheet, of course, will not be offered for commercial sale.
Your lead sheet should contain the following:
1. The song's title and the author(s) of the words and music.
2. Where you can be reached - that is, your name, address, and telephone number.
3. Copyright notice. Even if you have not filed registration for your song with the Copyright Office, you should write in the proper copyright notice on the first page of your lead sheet.
4. The style or tempo of the music (place this above the first measure of music). This can be "waltz," "slow and rhythmic," "moderately,"with a driving beat," etc.
5. Treble clef sign. Lead sheets should be written in the treble clef or G clef, the most commonly used clef today.
6. Key signature. The key your song is in should be notated by placing the proper accidentals - flats or sharps (or neither for the key of C) - after the treble clef sign.
7. Time signature. Place the time signature on the staff directly after the key signature. The time signature is written to show the method of measuring for your music. A common time signature is 3/4 ("three-four"). The top number designates how many beats there will be in each measure and the bottom designates what note value receives one beat. Thus, the 3/4 time signature specifies that there are 3 beats per measure and the quarter note (or rest) receives one beat.
8. Bar lines. Measures are separated by vertical bars or bar lines. The first bar line in the piece is placed after the last note (or rest) of the first measure; that is, not after the time signature.
9. Notes below the third line should generally have stems going up on the right side; notes on or above the third line should generally have stems going down on the left side.
10. Even spacing. Space the notes and measures as evenly as possible. Be sure not to crowd sixteenth notes too close together, otherwise you will not be able to fit all the words or syllables that correspond to these notes under the group. Evenly spaced measures make for a more legible and attractive lead sheet copy.
11. Complete measures. Each measure must contain the exact combination of note and/or rest values as indicated by the top number of the time signature. This may seem obvious but incomplete measures are found to be a common error.
12. Lyric. Write or type the lyric below the musical staff, each word or syllable directly under the note it corresponds to. For a sustained (tied or whole) note, insert the word or syllable directly under the note and draw a straight line from the bottom of the last letter of the word or syllable to where the next note or rest begins.
13. Chord symbols. Write all chords symbols in their proper places above the musical staff - that is, above a particular note, rest, or beat.
Never give away your last lead sheet copy. To prevent this, keep your original or master copy in safe keeping. It is advisable that you keep several duplicate copies in a convenient place for easy access when you need them. It is not always necessary to have a lead sheet when submitting your song to a publisher or producer. If you present a demo of a song that they accept, they will assume the responsibility of making one themselves. But at least have a typed copy of the lyric available. As its name suggests, a lead sheet guides the person along when listening to your song.