I Won't Say I Will, But I Won't Say I Won't: Lead Sheet

This collection gives guitar players direct access to the Gershwin songbook in a single, professionally curated resource. The lead sheet format demands real musicianship—you're reading melody, chord symbols, and lyrics simultaneously—making this book as valuable for developing sight-reading fluency as it is for building an enduring performance repertoire.

Stepping through the Great American Songbook era in one sitting. These songs shimmer with sophisticated harmony, memorable melodies that sit beautifully on the guitar, and lyrics that reward careful listening. There's elegance and wit in nearly every page, paired with the harmonic surprises that made Gershwin's work stand out from his contemporaries.

Jazz guitarists building their standards knowledge, advanced students developing comping facility, and lead sheet readers at all levels who want a comprehensive, estate-approved Gershwin resource. This is equally valuable for accompanists working with vocalists and for soloists developing a personal repertoire.

• Study the chord voicings in context before defaulting to open shapes; Gershwin's harmonic movement often rewards closed-position playing that highlights voice leading and smooth transitions between changes.
• Treat the melody as a singing line rather than a series of notes; phrasing and breath awareness are especially important when accompanying a vocalist or playing solo melody passages.
• Reference recorded versions sparingly at first. Work through the changes yourself, then listen to understand how different era interpret tempo, swing feel, and lyrical emphasis.

Use this as a primary text in a jazz guitar curriculum focused on standards and comping. Individual songs work as standalone recital pieces or as duets with vocalists; longer practice sessions might involve working chronologically through a show or thematically connecting pieces by musical character or harmonic function.

• Reading lead sheets with melody, chord symbols, and lyrics simultaneously
• Voice leading and chord voicing choices on guitar
• Jazz harmonic analysis and harmonic substitution
• Swing comping and rhythmic flexibility
• Melodic phrasing and lyrical interpretation