The Complete Idiot''s Guide to Music Theory

parts are arranged with the highest voice (soprano) at the top, and the lowest
voice (bass) at the bottom. The four vocal parts (soprano, alto, tenor, and bass)
are grouped together with braces, and a piano accompaniment is included below
the vocal parts. The top three parts use the treble clef; the bass line uses the
bass clef. Lyrics are included below each staff.
If you prepare a
chord sheet using a
music notation pro-
gram, you may
choose to include guitar
tablature in addition to the
standard chord symbols.
This is particularly useful if
you’re writing for beginning-
level guitarists.
Tip
The Nashville Number
System is very much like
the Roman numeral nota-
tion system, except it uses
regular numbers (1, 2, 3)
instead of Roman numer-
als (I, II, III).
Note

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Part 6:
Arranging
244
When you create a choral score—or any score with multiple parts, for that
matter—make sure a measure within one part aligns vertically with the same
measure in all the other parts. In fact, the notes within each measure also
should align between parts. If it helps, use a ruler to help keep the notes in
alignment when you’re writing the score.
Charts for choruses are
sometimes called 
SATB
scores, for the soprano,
alto, tenor, and bass parts.
Note
If there are addi-
tional backing
instruments, they
can also be
included in the score—
below the vocals, just like
the piano part.
Tip
A typical lead sheet.

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Chapter 19:
Lead Sheets and Scores
245
A typical chord sheet.

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