I'm Going Down: Lead Sheet

This lead sheet collection captures the guitar-driven foundation of early rock and roll history in one accessible volume. The inclusion of guitar TAB for 29 landmark solos makes this more than a reference tool; it's a direct pathway into the riff-based language that defined a generation of players. For guitarists studying how melody, rhythm, and groove interlock, these 167 songs span everything from straight-ahead blues to experimental arrangements, offering an organic master class in rock songwriting.

Raw, infectious, and deeply rooted in American blues. These songs pulse with swagger and simplicity; they are simultaneously complex enough to reward deep study and accessible enough to learn by ear. The energy here comes from tight grooves, memorable hooks, and the kind of confidence that comes from knowing exactly what you're doing.

Guitarists at intermediate level and beyond who want to study authentic arrangements of classic rock material. This collection serves solo performers building a performance repertoire, ensemble players needing rhythm section reference, and students exploring how blues changes and rock songwriting conventions work in practice.

• Study the fundamental instrumental riffs provided in each lead sheet before attempting the vocal melody; these riffs often define the song's identity as much as any lyrical phrase does.
• Cross-reference the guitar TAB section when working on any of the 29 songs that include solos; seeing both notation and tablature strengthens your understanding of how lead lines sit on the fretboard.
• Pay attention to the blues and early rock phrasing embedded in these arrangements; the bends, slides, and articulation marks are not decorative but essential to the song's character.
• Use the full-color discography and vintage sheet music reproductions as historical context; knowing which album a song comes from and when it was recorded informs your interpretation of its harmonic language and production.

Program individual songs from this collection for solo recitals or small ensemble performances; the lead sheets make it straightforward to adapt arrangements for different group sizes. Use the TAB section to assign landmark solos to advanced guitarists seeking challenging but historically important material. The breadth of this songbook also makes it an excellent curriculum resource for a unit on rock and blues songwriting foundations.

• Reading lead sheets and chord charts with embedded melodic and rhythmic figures
• Interpreting guitar tablature alongside standard notation
• Understanding blues chord progressions and their application in rock structures
• Recognizing and executing signature riffs and fills that define individual songs
• Analyzing how melody sits over guitar-driven accompaniment patterns