The Things We Did Last Summer: Lead Sheet / Fake Book

Nostalgic and warm, with the bittersweet quality of remembering good times. The melody carries an easy conversational quality that invites singers and players to make it their own, whether you're taking it slow and intimate or swinging it with energy.

Pianists and keyboardists working in jazz combos, small ensembles, or anyone learning to comp from a lead sheet. This works equally well for vocalists who want to collaborate with a pianist or for students building fake book literacy as part of jazz fundamentals.

• Experiment with different comping rhythms before settling on one. Try sparse block chords first, then layer in walking or swing feels to see what serves the melody.
• Nail the head as written, then give yourself permission to reharmonize during solos. The lead sheet is your starting point, not your ceiling.
• Listen to multiple recorded versions of this standard. Each one makes different harmonic choices, and that variety will spark ideas for your own interpretation.

Slip this into your jazz ensemble rotation as a vehicle for small group performance or combo rehearsal. It also serves as a solid foundation piece when teaching students how to arrange standards for different instrumentation.

• Reading and interpreting lead sheet notation
• Chord voicing choices across the keyboard
• Comping rhythms and harmonic accompaniment
• Melody and harmony relationship
• Reharmonization techniques