lead sheet

noun

A form of written music that specifies the melody, lyrics, and harmony.

“A lead sheet is often the only form of written music used by a small jazz ensemble. One or more musicians will play the melody while the rest of the group improvises an appropriate accompaniment.”

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Meanings

nounlead sheet (plural lead sheets)

plural lead sheets

  1. entertainmentA form of written music that specifies the melody, lyrics, and harmony.

    A lead sheet is often the only form of written music used by a small jazz ensemble. One or more musicians will play the melody while the rest of the group improvises an appropriate accompaniment.

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 導引譜 /导引谱
  • 導引譜 /导引谱form of written music
Finnish lead sheet
  • lead sheetform of written music
Cite this entry
APA

lead sheet. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/lead%20sheet

MLA

“lead sheet.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/lead%20sheet. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “lead sheet,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/lead%20sheet.

Source: lead sheet on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.