Introduction
With
Tim RichardsTim Richards introduces the lead sheet - the chord-symbols-and-melody format jazz musicians use - and the fake books, like the Real Book, that collect them.
What's in the course
13 lessons (0h 26m) · 1 free
01. Introduction
You are here0:30
01. Indiana - lead sheet
2:22
02. Indiana with syncopated melody (performance)
0:57
03. Indiana - adding a bass line
4:53
04. Indiana - with shells in left hand
1:48
05. Four-part and five-part harmony
5:05
06. Indiana with two-handed voicings (performance)
0:57
07. Lead sheet choices
4:54
08. Indiana with left-hand chords (performance)
0:58
09. CHECKPOINT #3 - Twelve point programme
0:39
Lesson transcript
Interpreting a Lead Sheet: An Essential Skill for Jazz Pianists
In the following lessons, we're going to look at how you might interpret a lead sheet. This is an essential skill for the jazz pianist.
Why Use Lead Sheets?
- Most jazz musicians prefer learning, sharing, and memorizing tunes in lead sheet format, i.e., chord symbols and melody line only.
- This method is often favored over reading arrangements or using sheet music.
The Fake Book
A collection of lead sheets is called a fake book, and these are now available over the counter.
- The most well-known one is called the Real Book.
13 lessons
0h 26m of structured video lessons
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Meet your guru
Meet your guru
Critically acclaimed jazz pianist and composer Tim Richards is one of Britain’s most experienced jazz educators, teaching piano privately for over 30 years, as well as at Morley College, Goldsmiths College, the University of Surrey, Premises Studios and other venues in the UK and abroad. He has produced numerous titles for Schott Music, including the best-selling two-volume Exploring Jazz Piano, Blues, Boogie & Gospel Collection and the acclaimed Improvising Blues Piano. He is also co-author, with John Crawford, of Exploring Latin Piano and Brazilian Piano Collection.
More recently Schott have published Jazz, Latin & Modern Collection (15 pieces for solo piano), comprising Tim Richards originals alongside pieces by Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk, and the two volume set Beginning Jazz Piano (now a two-part MusicGurus course).
“The real joy of Tim’s music… is that it is both hugely educational but also such great fun to play. Anyone with the slightest interest in learning to play or teach jazz piano should really acquire a set of Tim’s books.” PianoDao
As a performer Tim has been a presence on the UK jazz scene since the 1980s, also playing the blues with UK and US legends such as Otis Grand, Earl Green, Dana Gillespie, Larry Garner, Joe Louis Walker and Mojo Buford. He has released over a dozen albums as a leader (featuring many of London’s best jazz musicians including Pete King, Gilad Atzmon, Tony Kofi, Jason Yarde, Seb Rochford, Ed Jones, Dick Pearce and many others), and toured all over Europe with line-ups ranging from duo to nine-piece. His latest recording, the album ‘Telegraph Hill’ by the six-piece Hextet, was described in The Observer as "A true joy from beginning to end".
More info can be found on his website www.timrichards.ndo.co.uk
