BookatlasPiano Rabbit Hole: Improvisation Theory & Practice
399 / 18210 · Module 10 — Seventh Chords: The Language of Jazz, Pop, and Richer Harmony← prev⊞ allnext →

10.49A lead-sheet reading exercise

If you see:

| Cmaj7 | A7 | Dm7 | G7 |

Don't play:

C-E-G-B

A-C♯-E-G

D-F-A-C

G-B-D-F

all in root position.

Instead think:

  • What is the bass?
  • What are the guide tones?
  • Which notes can remain?
  • Is there a melody note I need on top?

That is how you turn symbols into piano music.