A collection of lead sheets for jazz standards and other popular songs, commonly found in a digital document format. It typically includes the melody line, basic chord changes, and sometimes lyrics, offering a skeletal framework for improvisation and performance. These resources allow musicians to quickly access and play a vast repertoire of music.
These compilations provide significant value to musicians by offering a readily available and affordable source of musical material. They foster the preservation and dissemination of jazz repertoire, allowing players of varying skill levels to participate in the tradition. Historically, these unauthorized collections circulated amongst musicians, providing essential repertoire. Now, authorized and legal versions are also readily available.