“Dream a Little Dream of Me” was written in 1931 by Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt with lyrics by Gus Kahn. It has been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, and the Mamas and the Papas had a big hit with it in 1968.
The song is commonly played in C major. Its harmony moves through the I chord, a bVI dominant, secondary dominants and ii-V progressions, giving it a dreamy, swaying quality. The form is 32 bars.
For improvisation, highlight the bVI7 chord’s color and use guide tones through the ii-Vs. Keep the gentle, lullaby mood. Ella and Louis’s duet is a great swing reference.
Practice at a relaxed tempo. Learn the melody by singing it.
Section by section: the opening phrase moves from the tonic to a bVI dominant chord, so play a note that belongs to that chord, like its third or seventh, to highlight the color change. The middle section moves through ii-V progressions; use guide tones to keep your lines smooth. The final section repeats the main theme with a turnaround. Keep your phrasing gentle and swaying to match the lullaby-like mood.
Practice tip: try playing the tune as a slow swing, a medium swing and a gentle bossa. Each feel brings out a different side of the song, and knowing all three makes you ready for any gig.
Memorizing the Dream a Little Dream of Me Lead Sheet PDF: learn the form in sections, not all at once. Play the first eight bars until you can do them with your eyes closed, then add the next section. Within a week or two you won’t need the page at all, which is the real goal of any lead sheet.
Is it hard to play? It’s beginner to intermediate. Recordings to study: Ella and Louis, and the Mamas and the Papas. Learn more about the lyricist on Gus Kahn’s Wikipedia page, and find more classic song lead sheets on Minedit.