“Let It Be” was written by Paul McCartney, credited to Lennon-McCartney, and released by the Beatles in 1970 as a single and on their final studio album. Its gospel-influenced piano and hopeful message made it one of the most beloved songs in pop history, and jazz musicians enjoy arranging it as well.
The song is in C major and is built largely on the I-V-vi-IV progression (C, G, Am, F), one of the most common progressions in pop music. The chorus follows a similar pattern with a descending bass line. The melody is simple and singable.
Section by section: in the verses, use the C major pentatonic scale and keep phrases simple and singable, matching McCartney’s melody. In the chorus, highlight the descending bass line by emphasizing notes that move with it. During the instrumental solo, George Harrison’s guitar solo uses bluesy bends and pentatonic phrases, which is a great model. For a jazz arrangement, reharmonize the progression with ii-V movement and extended chords.
Practice by playing the progression in several keys. Pianists should learn the gospel-style piano part, including the right-hand chord voicings and left-hand bass movement.
Transposing tip: Bb instruments read it in D, Eb instruments in A.
Using the Let It Be Lead Sheet PDF on gigs: keep a concert-pitch copy and a copy in your instrument’s key, label the intro and ending on the page, and note the tempo and feel the band usually plays. Small notes like these keep you calm when a tune gets called on the spot.
Practice checklist for the Let It Be Lead Sheet PDF: play the melody from memory, play roots through the form, play guide tones, improvise one chorus of chord tones only, and finally record yourself soloing over a play-along. Listening back is the fastest way to spot what to fix next.
Is it hard to play? It’s beginner-friendly and a great first song for piano and guitar. Recordings to study: the Beatles’ single and album versions. Learn more about the band on the Beatles’ Wikipedia page, and find more pop and rock lead sheets on Minedit.