Embedded Files
Lesson Objectives
Lesson Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
Explain the difference between four different methods for notating harmony: Roman numeral notation, lead sheet notation (or jazz chords), figured bass, and the Nashville number system.
Read and write chord progression using each of the four methods above, explain where a musician might encounter each, and what the advantages and disadvantages are to each type of notation.
Analyze short excerpts from the repertoire using both Roman numeral and lead sheet notation that includes inversions and 7th chords.
Compose a chordal accompaniment to a lead sheet chart and provide a roman numeral analysis.
Preparation for Class
Preparation for Class
Read:
Read:
"Jazz Chord Symbols: A Primer for the Classically-Trained" (Bret Pimentel)
"Musical Shorthand: Lead Sheets and Figured Bass" in Turek's Today's Musician, pp. 46–58
And the notation summary on pp. 678–679: "Lead Sheet Symbols"
Nashville Numbers vs. Jazz Chords (Cleland & Dobrea-Grindahl, Developing Musicianship through Aural Skills)
Optional Roman Numeral Review: "Harmonies of the Major and Minor Scale" in Turek's Today's Musician, pp. 59–65.
Watch
Watch
J. S. Bach, Flute Sonata in E Minor (1723). Performed by Stephen Preseton (baroque flute), Trevor Pinnock (harpsichord) Jordi Savall (viola da gamba)
This is an example of a realized figured bass in performance. Listen and try to follow along with what you see.
This is an example of a realized figured bass in performance. Listen and try to follow along with what you see.
The musicians see the notation to the left. The viola da gamba is playing the bassline. The harpsichord is improvising chords above that bassline using Bach's figured bass chord symbols (akin to a jazz musician reading lead sheet notation).
The musicians see the notation to the left. The viola da gamba is playing the bassline. The harpsichord is improvising chords above that bassline using Bach's figured bass chord symbols (akin to a jazz musician reading lead sheet notation).
What Do Chord Inversion Numerals Mean?
(2 Min. Music Theory, 3 mins) - Watch from 0:00–2:40
What Do Chord Inversion Numerals Mean?
(2 Min. Music Theory, 3 mins) - Watch from 0:00–2:40
As you watch this, think about how these numbers relate to figured bass notation.
Chas Williams, "The Crown"
Follow along with the Nashville number notation as you listen to the song. Use your ear to work out what's happening with any symbols you don't recognize.
Explore
Explore
Experiment with Roman Numerals: Pick one or two of the following sites to experiment with the sounds of chords built on different scale degrees.
Study Aids
Study Aids
Handout 1: Figured Bass & Roman Numerals (Music Theory for Musicians and Normal People, Toby Rush)
Handout 2: Lead Sheet Notation: Common Chords (Stephanie Acevedo), Advanced Chart with Voicing (Philip Tagg)
Handout 3: How to Format a Song Chart (using the Nashville Number System) (Trevor de Clercq)
Roman Numerals and Chord Symbols for Triads on Each Step of the Major and Minor Scales
Chord Labels for Triads and 7th Chords using Lead Sheet and Figured Bass Notation
Source: Sarah Louden [Image]
In-Class Activities
In-Class Activities
Discussion
Discussion
Chord Notation: Compare and contrast the four types of chord notation discussed in the reading: Roman numerals, lead sheet notation, figured bass, and the Nashville number system. How do these methods for notating harmony provide similar and different information? What are the benefits and drawbacks of each? Where would you expect to find each type of notation used? Which do you think are most relevant to musicians working in your career area?
These three songs use a different set of chords that look distinctly different in lead sheet notation. How would you notate the same chord progression using Roman numerals or Nashville number notation? Reflect back on the discussion you just had.
Sam Cooke, "Another Saturday Night" (verse): C - F - C - G (in C major)
The Tokens, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" (chorus): F - Bb - F - C (in F major)
Van Morrison, "Brown-Eyed Girl" (chorus): G - C - G - D (in G major)
Differences of Interpretation: Describing chords using Roman numerals or the Nashville number system is a form of analysis that imposes interpretation. Consider Lynard Skynyrd's song, "Sweet Home Alabama." The whole song repeats the same 3-chord progression: D - C - G. Some musicians hear that progression as I - bVII - IV; others hear it as V - IV - I. It depends on whether they hear the first or the last chord as tonic. Listen to the song and see what you think.
Discuss some of the advantages and disadvantages of using different chord notation tools in working with popular music, jazz, and classical music.
Why might you choose to use one tool over another for analysis, dictation, composition, or for communicating ideas to other musicians?
Lead Sheet vs. Piano Score: Complete the "Embraceable You" lead sheet realization exercise in the Activity section below, then compare your realizations to George Gershwin's original published piano score (provided by your instructor).
What kinds of differences do you see? What elements of the piano score does the lead sheet not capture? How important are those details to a satisfying performance of the song? What is the advantage of using the lead sheet over the score?
Activities
Activities
Lead Sheet Realization - "Embraceable You": Compose an accompaniment to "Embraceable You" by George and Ira Gershwin using the lead sheet notation published in The Real Book, a fake book of jazz and songbook standards first compiled by students at the Berklee College of Music in the 1970s.
Using the chord symbols above the vocal line, compose a standard "oom-pah" accompaniment with bass notes in the left hand on the beat (lower staff), and 3-note chord voicings in the right hand on the offbeats (upper staff). The first measure is provided as an example.
Under some of the chords, there are horizontal lines. Write the Roman numeral analysis of those chords on those lines.
Additional Worksheets for Practice: Reading & Writing Lead Sheet Notation
Turek, Today's Musician Workbook, pp. 32–47.
Repertoire for Practice
Repertoire for Practice
Reading Chord Notation: The following three links provide additional practice for chord spelling and ID with lead sheet and Roman numeral notation.
Want to learn more?
Want to learn more?
Check out these readings:
Ethan Iverson, "Deepening your Relationship to Musical Theatre" - Jazz pianist Ethan Iverson muses on learning songbook standards from published scores vs. lead sheets
Brad Mehldau, "House On Hill" - Jazz pianist Brad Mehldau contributes his own musings about lead sheets, harmony, counterpoint, and specificity in his liner notes to his album House on Hill
Or, explore some of these videos:
How I Use Lead Sheets for Playing Piano
(Sangah Noona, 15 minutes)
Analyzing Lead Sheets
(Aimee Nolte, 21 minutes)
For an additional explanation on how to work with lead sheet notation.
For an additional explanation on how to work with lead sheet notation.
Optional Additional Practice
Optional Additional Practice
Musition:
Jazz Chord Symbols: Levels 1a–2c
Chords: Levels 3–4
Diatonic Chords: All Levels
Chord Progressions: Levels 1a–1c
Transposition: Levels 3–4
Lead Sheet Analysis: Levels 1–4
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