Since I Fell For You: Lead Sheet

This lead sheet captures one of Jarreau's most enduring ballads with the harmonic richness and melodic shape that made his interpretations unforgettable. Vocalists and keyboardists can study how the chord changes support the emotional arc of the lyric, and the open format of a lead sheet invites the kind of personal interpretation that defined Jarreau's own performances.

Tender and introspective, with the gentle vulnerability of someone acknowledging love's arrival. The harmonic movement creates quiet intimacy, inviting both singer and accompanist into a conversation rather than a performance.

Vocalists developing jazz interpretive skills and keyboardists looking to accompany singers in jazz, pop, or R&B contexts will find this lead sheet essential. It works equally well for solo pianists exploring vocal jazz literature and for students learning to improvise melodically and harmonically within a standard.

• Study Jarreau's original recording to absorb his phrasing and rubato; the written melody is a starting point, not a boundary.
• Treat the chord symbols as suggestions for harmonic sophistication rather than strict voicing requirements; experiment with upper extensions and substitute chords that fit your voice or keyboard style.
• Leave space for breath and emotional silence; this ballad gains power from what you don't fill.

Include this in a jazz or vocal recital as a solo feature that showcases interpretive maturity and emotional depth. It pairs well alongside other vocal standards and provides an accessible entry point for students new to lead sheet reading and improvisation.

• Reading and interpreting lead sheet notation with chord symbols
• Improvising melodic variations and vocal runs over harmonic changes
• Accompanying a vocalist while reading changes in real time
• Understanding jazz phrasing, rhythmic flexibility, and rubato
• Harmonic voicing choices on keyboard to support a lyrical melody