“Yes or No” is a Wayne Shorter composition from his 1964 Blue Note album JuJu, featuring McCoy Tyner, Reggie Workman and Elvin Jones. It’s a fast, energetic post-bop tune with Shorter’s distinctive harmonic twists.
The tune alternates between sections of different character, with harmony that moves through major and minor key areas in unexpected ways. It’s typically played at a brisk tempo with a driving swing feel.
Section by section: in the opening section, use major and Lydian sounds over the tonic, then follow the harmony’s shifts with guide tones. In the contrasting section, the chords move more quickly; practice arpeggios for each one. In the return of the main theme, quote the melody to anchor your solo. Shorter’s playing on JuJu is powerful and searching, while McCoy Tyner’s comping drives the band.
Practice slowly, learning each section’s chords, then increase tempo. Learn the melody by ear.
Transposing tip: horn players should get a lead sheet in their key.
Arrangement idea: let the drummer set up the tempo with a short introduction, then play the head in unison with a strong, driving feel. Save a drum solo for after the horn solos to keep the energy high.
Memorizing the Yes or No 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.
Ear training with the Yes or No Lead Sheet PDF: before reading along, listen to two different recordings and try to hear where each section starts. Then follow the lead sheet while listening. Connecting what you see to what you hear is how lead sheets turn into tunes you truly know.
Is it hard to play? It’s advanced. Recordings to study: JuJu (1964). Learn more about the composer on Wayne Shorter’s Wikipedia page, and find more post-bop lead sheets on Minedit.