leadsheet

A leadsheet, also spelled lead sheet, is a compact form of sheet music used primarily in pop, jazz, and contemporary music. It presents the essential elements of a song in a single page: a melody line notated in standard notation, the lyrics, and chord symbols placed above the staff. Unlike a full score, a leadsheet provides the framework for performance and improvisation rather than a complete arrangement. It is widely used in teaching, rehearsals, and informal performances because it allows musicians to interpret the music with flexible accompaniment.

Typical features of a leadsheet include the melody line, lyrics, and chord symbols. Additional information may include the song’s form (such as verse-chorus), tempo, key, and style. Leadsheets are commonly found in fake books and songbooks and are favored for their simplicity and portability. They are especially useful for singers and rhythm sections, enabling easy transposition and on-the-fly arrangement in rehearsals or live settings.

Origins and usage: the leadsheet emerged in the early 20th century popular music scene and became widely adopted in jazz education and performance during the mid-20th century through fake books and standard repertoires. It remains a standard reference for performers who need a quick, flexible guide to a song’s structure and harmony.

In business contexts, a leadsheet refers to a document or spreadsheet used to track potential customers or sales prospects. Entries typically include company or contact name, job title, contact information, lead source, status, next steps, and notes, supporting pipeline management and CRM workflows. See also: fake book, chord chart, CRM, sales pipeline.