7 Easy Jazz Standards In Minor You Need To Know : ruclips.net/video/3bGWISsJLuc/видео.html Minor songs are a great place to learn several things that you need in Major as well, so it is a great idea to really dig into studying some minor songs.
I just started learning Jazz a little over a year ago. For me, instrumentals were Very difficult to even know what the Melody WAS. Every version I heard was different and full of improvisation. It helped me ALOT to start with Standards that the melody was Well known, because singers made them famous. Like: "I can't give you anything but LOVE", " Misty", "Sunny side of the street", " Fly me to the moon", "Mr. Sandman" and "L.O.V.E.". Because until I could hear how the melody fit over the chords, it was pretty much just a chord progression that ANY melody could be played over, and I was just noodling and improvising without knowing what it was supposed to sound like. I've heard several on your list by different people and you'd never know it's the same song. There are still many pieces that I know the chords to, but have no idea what the actual melody to them is. What do you suggest?
Same thing here, i wanted to learn something completly different. I bought a telecaster (i rly dig the neck tone) and finally found my way to this chanel 🤘
All the things You Are, AKA "All The Chords You Know" is a circle of 5ths solo nightmare. It seems like an exercise. Pat Metheny blows it away, of course.
Jens you are such a Great Teacher and jazz musicologist. As a new jazz player, I find your pointers so valuable! Thank you so much for doing these videos!
I'm starting out as a jazz musician, but I'm able to recomend "there's no greater love", it's a good to start inprovasing in a flat key, like Bb major, and it makes me feel like in a music Club in New York, learning standards gives me a lot of vocabulary even thouhg I'm still beginer. Greetings from Peru 🇵🇪🇵🇪🇵🇪🇵🇪🍫🍫🍫
I think "Autumn leaves ", "All the things you are", "fly me to the moon" should definitely be in the first 10 tunes anybody should learn as the are very easy and famous
In addition to Satin Doll and Autumn leaves, my guitar instructor also taught me these tunes first: So What, Freddie Freeloader, Blue Monk, Out of Nowhere, and All The Things You Are.
Hi there, thanks for the video. The first song I played when I start my journey through Jazz was Tune up. Very simple and there're a lot of things we can do it. Another one that is in the same level as Autumn leaves is "Beautiful Love" from Victor Young. "I could write a book" is also pretty simple. For a more advanced songs, I'd suggest : Autumn in New York, Body and Soul, Could it be you (Cole Parker) and Desafinado from our master Tom Jobim. Cheers
I teach jazz to kids in Canada. A lot of them know the Spiderman theme (Minor Blues) and the Flintstones (Rhythm Changes approximation) from cartoons. Those can be good first jazz melodies to learn - after they have a little technique. Mostly because they have been listening to them a long time already and will learn them easily.
Ps - what about ‘Someday my prince will come’, which seems straightforward in a way but complicated when it comes to working out a solo. But unclear to me why. Thanks.
It's difficult to get away from the line cliche in this song and sound good. The melody is soooo good that most anything else improvised, though it may work, actually sounds worse than the original melody.
"I've Never Been in Love Before" - more challenging, and has an unexpected bridge starting on the Major 4th degree that is lovely to solo over. What would you compare this song to that is already on your list, Jens?
It's an AABA similar to A train, Satin Doll or Perdido. The changes are just a little less typical and a little more difficult. I don't think it should be on a first 10 standards list? That does not mean it is a bad song of course :)
I know it might sound crazy but I actually think Christmas songs are a good introduction to playing jazz because a lot of them have great melodies but more complex chords in them than just basic I-IV-V stuff and they can at least help you learn to play more complex chords without all kinds of shifting melodies and time signatures and key changes and things of that nature.
@@JensLarsen True. Which actually reminds me I would add Blue Skies by Irving Berlin to the list of great introductory jazz songs and he wrote White Christmas. So I guess that does make sense. LOL!
Great list Jens. I'm a sax player but i find your advice to be the most accessible and useful. Keep up the good work.I'd add Girl from Ipanema - gets called a lot, not too hard and a killer melody.
Thanks Mark! I think Girl is a little tricky for a beginner, but certainly a very important song to know (and a great one, it is usually still fun to play after having played it a few thousand times :D )
Well You Needn’t is another Monk. Interesting changes - but nothing more exotic than dominant seven chords. The chromatic changes are a good way to introduce a student to a jazz feel with no intimidating accidentals on the chords.
Hey, what's your take on reharmonization. Jazz musicians have been playing the same standards for more than 50 years. You have any tips on taking a typical pop tune and turning it into jazz? Making it like a standard?
Excellent list of introductory standards, Jens! Guitar players new to the Jazz idiom can also get a lot out of studying Maiden Voyage. The modal form shifts very predictably at a nice slow tempo. But even more important (for guitarists) is that the notes and harmonies of Maiden Voyage seem particularly at home on the guitar fretboard. The chords and scales for these particular modes (Am7/D, Cm7/F...) can be learned instantly as neat quartal stacks that are easy to grab right in the middle of the neck (strings 2,3,4,5 between 5th and 8th position). This is for me the heart of the instrument and the easiest place for a beginner to sound good and threreby gain confidence in jazz guitar. Thanks for this video, Jens. Your channel is truly a great resource for all Jazz guitarists!
Thanks! Yes, I was thinking about that one too, but I actually find that a bit tricky because it has so many sus4 chords and is a bit vague with that. I prefer Cantaloupe Island because the chords are more common and almost something you will find in a standard.
After 40 years my out-look has changed quite a bit. 1st I would ask myself "who is my audience going to be?" Or, "Do I want to try making a Living out of this?" Now days I wish I had started a Jazz based Dance Band. I would study like Hell "The Charleston," and other Dance Tunes; try to write a new Head, and probably even hire a Pro to create a new Step that would absolutely make people get up and Dance! And Yeah, I'd even have the Pros come in as "Ringers" to get the Ball rolling. Next I would learn a Ballad like "Embraceable You." . . . I've overlooked tunes like "Tea for Two," and my playing has suffered for it! I always felt it was a corny tune till I heard Blossom Dearie sing the intro, and discovered the tune has a unique sex appeal, and some interesting changes. All the greats played it, (Oscar Peterson, and too many more to mention) and they played it many, many times over the years. I started with the Charlie Parker Omnibook. Aebersold only had about 8 Play-alongs back then, but I now wish I had put it on the shelf for later. I only ever got one request to play Bird and it was more of a challenge than a request, so I ran "Donna Lee" at him out of my guitar like a machine gun and about knocked him out of his chair. But being able to impress one guy doesn't create an audience that will support you. I could have made a pretty decent living in Nashville playing country, but I've seen what that has done to other gifted musicians' playing and avoided it like the plague. What ever tunes you do decide to learn, make them your own and write your own head. Change the rhythm if you need to, or try inverting the melody the way Rachmaninoff did with the Paganini Caprice and you might unearth a world class melody that know one has ever heard.
Nice to see 3 tunes on the list that I have been playing. I suggest Black Orpheus "Manhã de Carnaval". More complex than, say, Blue Bossa but, for me, it resonates well with my more rock background. Thank you Jens for all you do!
These are just two I happen to love. After a 41-year hiatus, during which I sang and played guitar for a living, I'm back to my violin, largely improvising, on which I was classically-trained. I've loved jazz since college, and now I get to play it. The tunes: "Bye, Bye Blackbird" and the theme from "Black Orpheus." Lively/contemplative, good contrasts. Also, I love playing these other two tunes straight, as a medley, but they could be lovely in a slow four as a ballad. This may surprise you: "Simple Gifts" into "the Minstrel Boy." Yes, two great fiddle tunes. But think trumpet and you have Aaron Copeland in a groove, and that could be way cool. Cheers.
Great list! Much like my own abbreviated list to which I must add, 'Body And Soul' and 'Misty' - Learn those two and they are like a Rosetta Stone for learning literally 100's of other standards! When I started playing Jazz guitar in a Jazz group in the early 80's, I already had years of playing Jazz guitar improvisation under my belt but not in the context of playing in a Jazz group per se that played Jazz standards with arrangements. The pianist in the group named 'Juhl' took a liking to me and took it upon himself to mentor me in terms of real knowledge of songs ie Jazz standards a player needs to know. Juhl had been a Jazz drummer in a 'former life' before WWII so to speak back before he started playing Jazz professionally which he switched to the piano which he had learned early on as a young lad studying music and learning to read. He had dropped the piano and switched to drums because of his keen ear he could slip into almost any band situation and acquire ready employment. During the war Juhl wanted to become more of a Jazz musician and realized he not only needed to improve his reading ability, he also needed to broaden his musical appreciation and learn a few important Jazz standards - many of which were contemporary to the times during the Swing and Big Band eras just prior to the US involvement in WWII which began immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December of 1941. Juhl began his studies of Jazz standards and writing out his own fake book during those days after joining a group where the leader had told him he needed to not only improve his reading, but he also needed to learn a bunch of standards of various types in order to become more valuable as a Jazz musician. Now, this is a lot of history, I know, BUT this is essentially as my friend the pianist taught me, as a striving Jazz guitarist of a mere 28 years old during the early 80's who had played for nearly 20 years. I was a child prodigy as a guitarist, cutting my musical teeth on literally everything musical during my formative years BUT I had no history of Jazz standards in my tool kit - I didn't have any songs but I had the gift of playing almost anything by ear almost instantly and my ability to play improvised solos was incredible. Much of my playing was based on intuitive skills I had been blessed with. But that will only take you so far. You need tunes, you need songs, and as a fledgling Jazz guitarist I needed some working knowledge of Jazz standards under my belt. I was not a reading musician, which is important to learn. Juhl took me aside at his pad we sat at the piano me with my guitar and he began showing me what I needed. He first showed me how important it is to know the melody of a song and how knowledge of the proper chords to the song are important when it comes time to play a meaningful improvisational solo passage. He demonstrated this very well with a tune I thought I knew well, when in fact I did not. I knew the chords and had learned them from a chord chart which I was able to decipher with little effort - but my lack of familiarity with the actual proper melody hampered and hindered my ability to play at the top of my game. He chose 'Satin Doll' a tune he said I needed to include in a dozen or so Jazz standards everyone needs to know. He put his hand written lead sheet from his fake book up on the piano and he helped me thru the song with an all points refresher that helped me acquire a tune-up in my musical experience which helped me play the song in a way I had never before approached it. We ran thru the melody note by note as I learned the proper notation and then we ran thru the proper chords. It was an eye opener! Then he said, "Let's play it together. You follow along using what you've just learned and when I say 'take it' you play your solo. OK? Let's try it!" He took off on the introductory notes and nodded to me, as I took off playing correct comp chords and by the second verse I was well into playing substitutions giving me those harmonic intervals in my chords that brighten a tune. He nodded and said, "Take it" and when I did I played a solo unlike any I had ever dreamed possible with all the notes right under my fingers. I had never heard myself play this well on this song! I was a mere half an hour into our tutoring session and the results were astounding. Juhl had served me coffee and a Danish, given me a little of his history, then ran the risk I might be offended at his suggestion that I lacked some much needed experience and a little training. Fortunately, I saw his offering as something he was donating to the cause simply because he saw me as a worthy vessel, one whom he spoke highly of in the 1st person present, acknowledging that I had been given a gift of a keen ear as well as a keen intuitive sense in my ability to play by ear and to even play over songs I didn't even know or even know what key I was in. He had demonstrated that to me at the gig the night before sitting off to his side, guitar in hand, just playing whatever came up. But there was more I could offer had I more knowledge and some minimal training. He provided that to me and more. We ran thru a few more tunes and he tossed his well worn fake book at me, "Here, take this, go copy off some of your favorite tunes and the one's I have bookmarked and bring it back to me at the gig tonight - Please don't lose it or anything out of it. It's my life's work, you see, Now go, and I'll see you tonight and bring your copies with you." Juhl had marked several tunes - many of which were my favorites as well as several mentioned in the video: 'A-Train', 'It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Aint Got That Swing)', 'After You've Gone', 'Summertime', 'It Had To Be You', 'All Of Me', 'Out Of Nowhere', 'Satin Doll', 'Perdido', 'I Found A New Baby', 'Poor Butterfly', 'Rose Room', 'Misty', 'Body And Soul', 'I Can't Give You Anything But Love', 'Aint Misbehaving', 'Autumn Leaves', 'Blue Skies', 'Don't Get Around Much Anymore', 'Georgia On My Mind', 'Honeysuckle Rose', 'Oh, Lady Be Good'. 'Night And Day', 'On The Sunny Side Of The Street', 'Sophisticated Lady', 'Tenderly', 'There'll Never Be Another You', 'How High The Moon', 'Basin Street Blues', 'Avalon', 'I Got Rhythm', 'C-Jam Blues', 'September Song', 'Sweet Georgia Brown', 'Black Coffee', 'I Surrender Dear', 'In A Mellow Tone', 'Caravan', 'St Louis Blues', 'Tenderly', 'Indiana (Back Home Again In)', 'Memories Of You', 'Exactly Like You', 'Moonglow', 'Limehouse Blues', 'Rosetta', 'I'm Confessin' That I Love You', 'September In The Rain', 'Deep Purple', 'Bye, Bye Blackbird', 'Coquette', 'I Don't Know Why', ' etc... about 60-70 tunes just to start which are the backbone of Jazz standards - with the exception of Latin tunes like 'One Note Samba', 'Wave' and 'Girl From Ipanema' and a few others. I pored over these songs in the days to come with Juhl's suggestion that I at least learn one or two per day. I burned thru them all in a couple of weeks and my playing in Juhl's Jazz group really took off. In the years to come I found learning more of the old standards became so easy and natural and my repertoire really expanded. Just being an improvisational soloist in a Jazz group will only take one so far. You need to learn tunes from every key, in every sub-genre, every tempo and so on. The list above is just a mere sampling, but it was a great start. Many of them I already knew somewhat. Learning them in their proper keys (they were originally written in), played with the proper and correct chords and exact correct melody (not stylized like Willie Nelson's version of 'Georgia' which is grossly incorrect!) brings a enhanced perspective on playing these songs. One other thing I might add which was taught to me by another seasoned Jazz musician is to locate the definitive version for all of these songs not just one's favorite cover by Joe Pass or Bill Evans or whomever. Learn Ellington's original versions of the songs he and his band member's wrote which are the definitive versions. After you have done that, then explore the cover versions by Tal Farlow, Johnny Smith, Barney Kessel and all the rest. Happy learning and performing!
Hey Jens! What are your opinions on using a Solid Body (Les Paul) for Jazz guitars? Can you put flatwounds on and accomplish a good sound for that or do you really have to lean tgowards a semi-hollow body. I have hgotten unwanted feedback from hollow body jazz guitars when playing at the sound level of just keeping up with the volume of a drummer. Lookig at some Les Paul tributes now as they are USA made and around $1K or so. Thanks!
It's a subjective what is considered smooth jazz, and I usually only label things as smooth jazz if I don't like it, so I might not be the one to make a video like that 🙂
Great list. Here's some follow up tunes that are considered by some as 'must know standards list' which were suggested to me by various teachers as well as other great musicians (many of the following tunes I never even touched yet!) some of them are very difficult (PS all the song in your list were also! in 'my list', so that's why I omitted left them out - You already mention them!): All The Things You Are, Oleo, There Will Never Be Another You, How High the Moon, Just Friends, The Days of Wine and Roses,It Could Happen to you (study in Ascending Modulations), Honeysuckle Rose (study in ii/Vs,) On Green Dolphin Street, Stella By Starlight (Both of which you mention, but did not include), Cherokee, Black Nile, Recorda Me, Stolen Moments and Mr. P.C. (examples of minor Blues), Have You Met Miss Jones? (bridge with Maj 3rd related modulations), All Blues, So What? (two Modal classics), Blue In Green, I Mean You, Firm Roots, Bolivia (two great, very challenging tunes written by Cedar Walton), Moment's Notice, Countdown and Giant Steps. (for quite chromatic & Coltrane Changes examples). Some people might also include E.S.P and 'Sorcerer (for 'Post Bop' examples).
Another "starter" jazz tune could be "Comin Home Baby", Tonic Minor, 12 bar form, but with different turnaround than standard blues, (and also comes in 2 different iterations - one using the iv at bar 5, and the other using bIII dom)
I would add My favorite things, all the things you are and my favorite Blue in Green, for Summertime version Jim Hall&Metheny version is my no1 , thanks for your shares
Really useful list, Jens. It can be difficult for beginners to know which standards to work on to get results. Some teachers seem to like choosing quite difficult tunes, e.g. All The Things You Are because they challenge the student to learn a lot of jazz concepts. However, I think it's important for beginners to build up a solid repertoire of tunes that they can improvise on and play with other people.
That is a great song! I would consider it a little difficult for a beginner though. But we don't all learn easy songs to begin with, I started with Green Dolphin Street, Stella By Starlight and There's No Greater Love. In hindsight I could have chosen beter tunes :)
@@JensLarsen That's a really interesting observation. I actually found How High the Moon really straight forward and easier than Autumn Leaves to learn. But Autumn Leaves is great as well! And yes, you could have chosen some easier ones! lol. Thanks again for your videos, I am learning so much and, most importantly, they are helping me understand what makes jazz "work". You're a terrific teacher!
Round Midnight because it's beautiful, relatively easy and well known, as well as So What? by Miles Davis and Django by MJQ (really beautiful). You may say it's too complicated but man just listen to the melodies ;)
Hey Jens. Appreciate all your lessons. Sometimes I get a bit overwhelmed because I can’t keep up with it all. Info overload! 😄 And I know I need to not focus on too much at once. Even though I do pick up something from everything you post. Anyway I’ve heard and recognize many of the standards. I grew up with my father listening to jazz my whole life. But never actually learned and studied them. Was more into rock but have always loved Jazz. Never felt I had the ability to play it. But now I’m determined to try. So I’ve wondered if there is any particular website, store etc that you recommend to get the chart I see you show on this lesson? I heard you state that real books weren’t the best thing to use. Thanks
Is there a great song that should have been on the list? (and maybe why?) Check out: The Most Important Scale Exercise In Jazz ruclips.net/video/2Ze22BNftAA/видео.html Content: 0:00 Intro - Learn Jazz Make - Music! 0:24 10 Typical Standards and Forms 0:36 The Form Of Songs is Important! 0:56 Where are you coming from? 1:12 Something missing? 1:37 #1 Take The A train 2:04 AABA forms 2:52 #2 Cantaloupe Island - Modal Jazz 4:03 #3 Blues 5:28 #4 Satin Doll 6:12 The Ellington Bridge 6:23 #5 Blue Bossa 6:54 #6 Autumn Leaves 7:25 #7 Perdido - Rhythm Changes Bridge 8:02 No Rhythm Changes? 8:15 The First 3 Standards I learned 8:57 #8 Summertime - Four On Six 9:27 How To Use the list 10:00 Did I leave out a Song? 10:05 #9 Solar - Not by Miles Davis 11:23 #10 All Of Me - ABAC Form
Great list. I would put two songs more: Night and day (first song i've learned :D, atypical progression with modal-tonal qualities?, but that's what jazz should be?)... and Night in Tunisia. with soooo exotic, dissonant, but beautiful, haunting theme, more (stereo)typical B part - with minor 2/5/1 in two keys, and spectacular, huuuge bridge (C part) which explains what is jazz. Probably i am subjective, but NIT is still my favorite standard.
Great video Jens. I've got you under my skin is a great 251 that is easy and fun to play. I really love come fly with me. Fairly easy and a lot of room improvising.
I just subscribe to your channel. I don’t even play guitar. I’m a keyboard/ piano player and I must say u do have some interesting information. Greetings from France 🇫🇷.
Thank you, Jens, good list. I'd add just one tune for the challenge it means playing on an odd time signature, while not being too complex harmonically. It's "Take Five"
Hi Jens, I've been a long time lover of jazz and a recent jazz guitar student. Just discovered you TODAY and really appreciating your approach. What about "I've Got You Under My Skin" as a beginner song. Too easy?
1) A lot of sax players listen to Joe Henderson's improv of "A Train" on the Echoes of an Era album, with Chaka Khan, Lenny White, Joe, Chick Corea, Freddy Hubbard and Stanley Clarke 2) Basically every Miles "hit" is required. 3) Learn both II-V as well as IV-V blues.
I have spent 2 years trying to remember the melody of Summertime, and I still struggle to remember it all the way through, and same for all other songs. How does one absorb music into mind and fingers so it is remembered?
After 30 yrs as a symphony orchestra bassist, I was lucky and went straight into professional jazz gigs. I was sweating it out in the beginning and getting frustrated trying to learn this song then the next- a very slow process. I found it more useful in my situation to learn the forms. Once you know the forms, you know the songs (also known as faking it, and assuming you have a good ear). Many songs I've played for the first time was in a live performance. When I would check what I played with the original chords I would get it right. Here is what I concentrated on: 1. Blues 2. Rhythm Changes (the chord changes of 'I Got Rhythm") 3. Songs based on the circle of 5ths- 'Autumn Leaves', 'Fly Me to the Moon'. 4. Song forms: aaba, abac. It then became easy to learn songs at a quicker pace because I would recognize the form and think "Oh, it's 1,2, or 3. The only problem with this method is the "bridge" in songs written after ca. 1930 as they tend not to follow the Rhythm Changes progression but would more or less change key at the bridge (as evidenced by all the accidentals). Otherwise, this method seems to hold true for songs from the 1890s-1960s. The only songs I really had to learn one by one was Bossa. This is what worked for me. But a lot depends on where you are coming from in your pursuit of jazz.
I can also recommend "So Danco Samba" by Antonio Carlos Jobim. It's a quite easy bossa nova with an AABA form and a similar chord progression to "Take the A train". I think these two songs are good to be practised together 😉
As a vocalist, my intro song to jazz was “my funny valentine” the idea that such a simple melody could have such interesting and, to me, exciting harmony was suuuch an eye opener
That's indeed often the case: vocalists will learn a "simple" melody with some horrifyingly difficult harmony under it :) I used to comp a lot of singing lessons when I was studying and that always happened
May I ask, your early influences as a kid, and how you got started, I was born in 1959, blessed with a musical father, whom was interested in the big Band Era, prior to WW2, taught my older late brother similar to how you teach, and my younger Brother as well.
Freddie Freeloader? - Jazzin up a blues. I think it is an easier blues to jazz transition. Definitely hear the chords going by in a simpler melody which can be made faster and more complicated as you become capable with continued practice.
2 tunes I would add to this list: - There Will Never Be Another You - It Could Happen to You In terms of common chord progressions, these tunes collectively have almost every common device one encounters when learning Tin Pan Alley tunes.
great list -covers all the bases .... you've included blues but how about "Mr. PC" minor blues? nice to have something by Coltrane that has a simple head.
Are there any standards using the 12-bar blues that are most accessible in the beginning? So far I have been learning Fly me to the Moon, East of the Sun, and Take the A Train up and down the neck (chords and melody) so looking for something a bit more challenging but not crazy.
I think the first few jazz tunes I learned were Autumn Leaves, Satin Doll, There Will Never Be Another You and Moonlight In Vermont. My teacher at the time was not into modal playing so I didn´t go there till much later. My first couple of modal tunes were So What and Little Sunflower. I think my first blues was Blues By Five, and Oleo was my first rhythm head.
Hmmmm...Lesseee... Willow Weep For Me They Can't Take That Away From Me The Shadow of Your Smile All Blues Our Love is Here to Stay If I Were a Bell Little Sunflower Here's That Rainy Day Love For Sale Moanin' (Timmons) ...From a bass player's perspective! I can hear those bass lines now!🎶🎵Walk on!👣👣👣👣...
#11 'Stella by Starlight' is a beautiful tune and well worth learning. Check out the Jim Hall Trio version. 'So What' is another excellent modal piece, and if you're new to transcribing it's a great place to start.
Perfect list as a first 10! Number 11: All Blues (easy enough) and number 12: Mayden Voyage (easy enough but modally challenging and modern sounding) and in the next list of 10 i would also start adding some "spice" with songs like Yes of No (Wayne Shorter), Inner Urge (Joe Henderson). Then, if one keeps progressing, something like Mick Goodrick's Summer Band Camp (but that might be around number fifty.something...) :-)
Of course, taste is paramount! To begin with, perhaps, choose your favourite EASY songs. Anyway, I think pieces such as (for example) So What or Little Sunflower are good for developing a sense of "harmonic rhythm" when improvising (and especially when comping). On So What the comping instrument must be absolutely spot on when that Eb min7 arrives (It's easy to "fall asleep" on the D min7)! By the way Jens, that might be an interesting topic: harmonic rhythm and working on not getting lost on the form when improvising and especially when comping... have you already touched this subject in any of your past videos? I guess a metronome is the best tool for working on this...
A little Norwegian is handy for small talk, but you could also start working on some Jazz chords, maybe these videos will help: ruclips.net/video/zH4uQYgDotM/видео.html
I want to clarify on getting music on Jazz Standards. I know there are copyright issues with music. I am not looking for free downloads. I’m looking for a reputable website or company in which to purchase sheet music. I was hoping an experienced jazz player might know to go through. Thanks
Good question, I have the 3 new real books from Hal Leonard, they are pretty good but there are not that many standards in them. I don't know any other places. IReal is used often but the changes usually suck
Musicnotes.com is an excellent source of sheet music. Not 100% error free, but generally pretty solid. Most of their stuff is transposable, very helpful if you're a singer. You'll need to download their player app, which is super easy to use. (Not associated with them, just a happy customer for over 7 years.) Also, IReal lets you make your own charts, so if you disagree with a chord, you can make a copy of the chart and edit the copy to your liking and save that for yourself.
When learning tunes, should we be learning them straight as originally written, say as found in a showtune book, or is there in certain cases where a popular treatment by a jazz artist is what we should be learning?
It doesn't really matter, just learn the tune and try to adapt to the people you need to play it with. Going hunting for original changes is something you can do later :)
Jens, thanks for ALL the great lessons, I'm hoping you have some advice on the following: If you are trying to play a melody (say, to a standard) on the spot that you haven’t played before (or it’s been a while) are you thinking about the underlying chords (if you know them) to help you hit the right notes, or are you just trying to hear intervals between the notes and not thinking about the harmony at all? I’m trying to improve in this area, but not sure what the correct approach should be.
I will do just that ... learn those ten standards - and add ten more from my own list of favourites. BUT - how do you determine what key to practise? As a beginner, it is of some importance - I cannot practise a song in Bb, find all the voicings etc ... and then being asked to play it in D! So yesterday I spent some time researching what keys those well-known standars most often are played in. Well, everybody agrees that 'Take The A Train' is C major ... but very often you can find two or more keys for a specific song. Now my question: Is there a go-to source on the internet, a kind of most-authoritative list of keys for jazz standards??
Your list is solid. For others who might be starting out, Freddie the Freeloader and Watermelon Man are other great blues tunes and Maiden Voyage is another great modal piece similar to Cantaloupe Island. Yay Music!
Not really, since it does not teach you how to play to changes and is surprisingly difficult in terms of feeling the form, so the things you learn there don't really help you that much with other songs.
I am transitioning from Metal to Jazz. Jazz music helps me sleep at night. I don't think I will be listening to metal again. Where should I start from?
I know that this is an old video, but maybe one of these? ruclips.net/video/rewhHzkr8K4/видео.html I have a spotify playlist too with some people to check out if you are interested :)
ive been playing guitar for about a year and i just discovered jazz but it looks complicated and i love it, id like to know whats the very first things i need to know to start in jazz, scales, chords, tmie signatures, what do i need?
A teacher started me on Blue 'n Green... the worst tune for a beginner for so many reasons. It ruined it for me, actually, and I haven't looked it in many many years - to play nor to listen to. So, anything with a strong tonal centre is a good start! A hook, a singable melody, and if there are words, even better because they will provide another anchor for the form. My contribution to the list is 'Black Orpheus'.
Cherry pink and apple blossom white.... Great jam.. Basic chords and melody mostly diatonic.. Easy to remember. It's in Eb so good on horns as well. Love what your doing? Mr Natural (Natch to my friends)
I want to learn jazz standards and I would like to know what is the best way to learn them, that is tabs or something else? Pls advice Can u also pls suggest me some websites where I can find the chord charts for the song?
7 Easy Jazz Standards In Minor You Need To Know : ruclips.net/video/3bGWISsJLuc/видео.html
Minor songs are a great place to learn several things that you need in Major as well, so it is a great idea to really dig into studying some minor songs.
Blues was my gateway drug on the road to jazz addiction.
There are worse ways to end here :)
I'm on that way, advancing slowly... but man! what a trip ::))
Progressive metal was mine
I got into jazz through prog and death metal.
I got into jazz through prog and death metal.
I just started learning Jazz a little over a year ago. For me, instrumentals were Very difficult to even know what the Melody WAS. Every version I heard was different and full of improvisation. It helped me ALOT to start with Standards that the melody was Well known, because singers made them famous. Like: "I can't give you anything but LOVE", " Misty", "Sunny side of the street", " Fly me to the moon", "Mr. Sandman" and "L.O.V.E.". Because until I could hear how the melody fit over the chords, it was pretty much just a chord progression that ANY melody could be played over, and I was just noodling and improvising without knowing what it was supposed to sound like. I've heard several on your list by different people and you'd never know it's the same song. There are still many pieces that I know the chords to, but have no idea what the actual melody to them is. What do you suggest?
It's crazy how my interest in metal drove me to more nuanced genres like blues, classical, and of course, jazz!
Maybe your interest is actually just music? :)
Same lol
Same thing here, i wanted to learn something completly different. I bought a telecaster (i rly dig the neck tone) and finally found my way to this chanel 🤘
Me too!
I am now no longer that nuts about metal. More garage rock, psychedelic rock, experimental stiff like Viagra Boys, and Jaaaaazzzz
You know it's going to be a good day whenever Jens uploads a new video.
Thank you Willy!
Great video! I think it’s good to learn All The Things You Are early on because of the changing key centers and the really strong harmony.
Thanks! I would consider that a difficult tune though :)
Yeah. Or learn 3 of the easier songs mentioned and get to play on 3 songs at the next jam instead of 1.
@@JensLarsen difficult but you analyze it great in one of your videos...
I was thrown to the wolves with All The Things You Are 🤣😂
All the things You Are, AKA "All The Chords You Know" is a circle of 5ths solo nightmare. It seems like an exercise. Pat Metheny blows it away, of course.
Best advice I ever received was from Tommy Emmanuel.
"Learn songs"
Well, now you've heard from more people :D
Jens you are such a Great Teacher and jazz musicologist. As a new jazz player, I find your pointers so valuable! Thank you so much for doing these videos!
Thank you very much Paul! I am really glad you like the videos!!
I'm starting out as a jazz musician, but I'm able to recomend "there's no greater love", it's a good to start inprovasing in a flat key, like Bb major, and it makes me feel like in a music Club in New York, learning standards gives me a lot of vocabulary even thouhg I'm still beginer. Greetings from Peru 🇵🇪🇵🇪🇵🇪🇵🇪🍫🍫🍫
Great! Go for it 🙂
I think "Autumn leaves ", "All the things you are", "fly me to the moon" should definitely be in the first 10 tunes anybody should learn as the are very easy and famous
the first 3 songs I learned !
@@fanfoire me too
lol yes autumn leaves you can play over and over lol ! 20 years !
All the things you are is actually pretty advanced due to the key changes. But of course sooner or later you should learn it.
@@MartinLohmuellercorrect
In addition to Satin Doll and Autumn leaves, my guitar instructor also taught me these tunes first: So What, Freddie Freeloader, Blue Monk, Out of Nowhere, and All The Things You Are.
So What - Miles Davis
Super easy and great Dorian practice. Has a small key change to spice things up at one point, but very easy overall.
Hi there, thanks for the video.
The first song I played when I start my journey through Jazz was Tune up. Very simple and there're a lot of things we can do it.
Another one that is in the same level as Autumn leaves is "Beautiful Love" from Victor Young.
"I could write a book" is also pretty simple.
For a more advanced songs, I'd suggest : Autumn in New York, Body and Soul, Could it be you (Cole Parker) and Desafinado from our master Tom Jobim.
Cheers
Good choices :)
I teach jazz to kids in Canada. A lot of them know the Spiderman theme (Minor Blues) and the Flintstones (Rhythm Changes approximation) from cartoons. Those can be good first jazz melodies to learn - after they have a little technique. Mostly because they have been listening to them a long time already and will learn them easily.
That's a very good point! I might just suggest Spiderman to the combo teacher at the school for young talent where I work :) Thanks Danny!
Kids these days know the Flintstones?
Thomas Hjelm it isn’t nearly as watched but pretty much every kid age 10 and up will recognize it
Ps - what about ‘Someday my prince will come’, which seems straightforward in a way but complicated when it comes to working out a solo. But unclear to me why. Thanks.
I think that is difficult because it is in 3/4 and becaue the harmony is actually quite complex :)
It's difficult to get away from the line cliche in this song and sound good. The melody is soooo good that most anything else improvised, though it may work, actually sounds worse than the original melody.
"I've Never Been in Love Before" - more challenging, and has an unexpected bridge starting on the Major 4th degree that is lovely to solo over. What would you compare this song to that is already on your list, Jens?
It's an AABA similar to A train, Satin Doll or Perdido. The changes are just a little less typical and a little more difficult. I don't think it should be on a first 10 standards list? That does not mean it is a bad song of course :)
yeah. You’re right. Not a good one to start with, thanks!
"My favorite Things" is another must for everyone's list .. thanks for the great suggestions.
Fly me to the moon is a nice and easy one
True! I just went with Autumn Leaves instead and they are very similar!
@@JensLarsen I've already learned FMTM and AL but changed the chords.
It's the song I use to try and get people into jazz. It's so popular, everyone knows it.
@@JensLarsen Believe it or not, hearing Autumn Leaves was what finally converted me to straight ahead Jazz!
Jens, thank you for all you do to demystify Jazz for all of us guitarists looking to grow musically!
I know it might sound crazy but I actually think Christmas songs are a good introduction to playing jazz because a lot of them have great melodies but more complex chords in them than just basic I-IV-V stuff and they can at least help you learn to play more complex chords without all kinds of shifting melodies and time signatures and key changes and things of that nature.
That's not so strange, a lot of Christmas songs are written by the same people who wrote the Jazz standards 🙂
@@JensLarsen True. Which actually reminds me I would add Blue Skies by Irving Berlin to the list of great introductory jazz songs and he wrote White Christmas. So I guess that does make sense. LOL!
I agree 100% with that list, but I’d put Softly as in a Morning Sunrise and Moanin' somewhere there.
Would be a little weird with a top 10 with 12 songs 😂😁
Great list Jens. I'm a sax player but i find your advice to be the most accessible and useful. Keep up the good work.I'd add Girl from Ipanema - gets called a lot, not too hard and a killer melody.
Thanks Mark! I think Girl is a little tricky for a beginner, but certainly a very important song to know (and a great one, it is usually still fun to play after having played it a few thousand times :D )
One piece I've been playing with my partner is Blue Monk by Thelonious Monk, mainly because of the 12 bar blues form.
Blue Monk is a great song :)
Well You Needn’t is another Monk. Interesting changes - but nothing more exotic than dominant seven chords. The chromatic changes are a good way to introduce a student to a jazz feel with no intimidating accidentals on the chords.
Hey, what's your take on reharmonization. Jazz musicians have been playing the same standards for more than 50 years. You have any tips on taking a typical pop tune and turning it into jazz? Making it like a standard?
This is my favorite thing to do, using current (or my gen anyway) popular songs.
Excellent list of introductory standards, Jens! Guitar players new to the Jazz idiom can also get a lot out of studying Maiden Voyage. The modal form shifts very predictably at a nice slow tempo. But even more important (for guitarists) is that the notes and harmonies of Maiden Voyage seem particularly at home on the guitar fretboard.
The chords and scales for these particular modes (Am7/D, Cm7/F...) can be learned instantly as neat quartal stacks that are easy to grab right in the middle of the neck (strings 2,3,4,5 between 5th and 8th position). This is for me the heart of the instrument and the easiest place for a beginner to sound good and threreby gain confidence in jazz guitar.
Thanks for this video, Jens. Your channel is truly a great resource for all Jazz guitarists!
Thanks! Yes, I was thinking about that one too, but I actually find that a bit tricky because it has so many sus4 chords and is a bit vague with that. I prefer Cantaloupe Island because the chords are more common and almost something you will find in a standard.
After 40 years my out-look has changed quite a bit.
1st I would ask myself "who is my audience going to be?"
Or, "Do I want to try making a Living out of this?"
Now days I wish I had started a Jazz based Dance Band.
I would study like Hell "The Charleston," and other Dance Tunes; try to write a new Head, and probably even hire a Pro to create a new Step that would absolutely make people get up and Dance! And Yeah, I'd even have the Pros come in as "Ringers" to get the Ball rolling.
Next I would learn a Ballad like "Embraceable You." . . .
I've overlooked tunes like "Tea for Two," and my playing has suffered for it! I always felt it was a corny tune till I heard Blossom Dearie sing the intro, and discovered the tune has a unique sex appeal, and some interesting changes. All the greats played it, (Oscar Peterson, and too many more to mention) and they played it many, many times over the years.
I started with the Charlie Parker Omnibook. Aebersold only had about 8 Play-alongs back then, but I now wish I had put it on the shelf for later. I only ever got one request to play Bird and it was more of a challenge than a request, so I ran "Donna Lee" at him out of my guitar like a machine gun and about knocked him out of his chair. But being able to impress one guy doesn't create an audience that will support you.
I could have made a pretty decent living in Nashville playing country, but I've seen what that has done to other gifted musicians' playing and avoided it like the plague.
What ever tunes you do decide to learn, make them your own and write your own head. Change the rhythm if you need to, or try inverting the melody the way Rachmaninoff did with the Paganini Caprice and you might unearth a world class melody that know one has ever heard.
Learning songs is always good, and it is never too late to begin 🙂
Nice to see 3 tunes on the list that I have been playing. I suggest Black Orpheus "Manhã de Carnaval". More complex than, say, Blue Bossa but, for me, it resonates well with my more rock background. Thank you Jens for all you do!
Great suggestion! I'm going to work this one for a Jazz Ensemble audition.
Great advice. Thank you. I’m the guy you mention who finds it hard to break out of pentatonics. But I’m getting there.
Just keep at it :) (and practice Cantaloupe Island?)
These are just two I happen to love. After a 41-year hiatus, during which I sang and played guitar for a living, I'm back to my violin, largely improvising, on which I was classically-trained. I've loved jazz since college, and now I get to play it. The tunes: "Bye, Bye Blackbird" and the theme from "Black Orpheus." Lively/contemplative, good contrasts. Also, I love playing these other two tunes straight, as a medley, but they could be lovely in a slow four as a ballad. This may surprise you: "Simple Gifts" into "the Minstrel Boy." Yes, two great fiddle tunes. But think trumpet and you have Aaron Copeland in a groove, and that could be way cool. Cheers.
Great list! Much like my own abbreviated list to which I must add, 'Body And Soul' and 'Misty' - Learn those two and they are like a Rosetta Stone for learning literally 100's of other standards! When I started playing Jazz guitar in a Jazz group in the early 80's, I already had years of playing Jazz guitar improvisation under my belt but not in the context of playing in a Jazz group per se that played Jazz standards with arrangements. The pianist in the group named 'Juhl' took a liking to me and took it upon himself to mentor me in terms of real knowledge of songs ie Jazz standards a player needs to know. Juhl had been a Jazz drummer in a 'former life' before WWII so to speak back before he started playing Jazz professionally which he switched to the piano which he had learned early on as a young lad studying music and learning to read. He had dropped the piano and switched to drums because of his keen ear he could slip into almost any band situation and acquire ready employment. During the war Juhl wanted to become more of a Jazz musician and realized he not only needed to improve his reading ability, he also needed to broaden his musical appreciation and learn a few important Jazz standards - many of which were contemporary to the times during the Swing and Big Band eras just prior to the US involvement in WWII which began immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December of 1941. Juhl began his studies of Jazz standards and writing out his own fake book during those days after joining a group where the leader had told him he needed to not only improve his reading, but he also needed to learn a bunch of standards of various types in order to become more valuable as a Jazz musician.
Now, this is a lot of history, I know, BUT this is essentially as my friend the pianist taught me, as a striving Jazz guitarist of a mere 28 years old during the early 80's who had played for nearly 20 years. I was a child prodigy as a guitarist, cutting my musical teeth on literally everything musical during my formative years BUT I had no history of Jazz standards in my tool kit - I didn't have any songs but I had the gift of playing almost anything by ear almost instantly and my ability to play improvised solos was incredible. Much of my playing was based on intuitive skills I had been blessed with. But that will only take you so far. You need tunes, you need songs, and as a fledgling Jazz guitarist I needed some working knowledge of Jazz standards under my belt. I was not a reading musician, which is important to learn.
Juhl took me aside at his pad we sat at the piano me with my guitar and he began showing me what I needed. He first showed me how important it is to know the melody of a song and how knowledge of the proper chords to the song are important when it comes time to play a meaningful improvisational solo passage. He demonstrated this very well with a tune I thought I knew well, when in fact I did not. I knew the chords and had learned them from a chord chart which I was able to decipher with little effort - but my lack of familiarity with the actual proper melody hampered and hindered my ability to play at the top of my game. He chose 'Satin Doll' a tune he said I needed to include in a dozen or so Jazz standards everyone needs to know. He put his hand written lead sheet from his fake book up on the piano and he helped me thru the song with an all points refresher that helped me acquire a tune-up in my musical experience which helped me play the song in a way I had never before approached it. We ran thru the melody note by note as I learned the proper notation and then we ran thru the proper chords. It was an eye opener! Then he said, "Let's play it together. You follow along using what you've just learned and when I say 'take it' you play your solo. OK? Let's try it!" He took off on the introductory notes and nodded to me, as I took off playing correct comp chords and by the second verse I was well into playing substitutions giving me those harmonic intervals in my chords that brighten a tune. He nodded and said, "Take it" and when I did I played a solo unlike any I had ever dreamed possible with all the notes right under my fingers. I had never heard myself play this well on this song!
I was a mere half an hour into our tutoring session and the results were astounding. Juhl had served me coffee and a Danish, given me a little of his history, then ran the risk I might be offended at his suggestion that I lacked some much needed experience and a little training. Fortunately, I saw his offering as something he was donating to the cause simply because he saw me as a worthy vessel, one whom he spoke highly of in the 1st person present, acknowledging that I had been given a gift of a keen ear as well as a keen intuitive sense in my ability to play by ear and to even play over songs I didn't even know or even know what key I was in. He had demonstrated that to me at the gig the night before sitting off to his side, guitar in hand, just playing whatever came up. But there was more I could offer had I more knowledge and some minimal training. He provided that to me and more. We ran thru a few more tunes and he tossed his well worn fake book at me, "Here, take this, go copy off some of your favorite tunes and the one's I have bookmarked and bring it back to me at the gig tonight - Please don't lose it or anything out of it. It's my life's work, you see, Now go, and I'll see you tonight and bring your copies with you."
Juhl had marked several tunes - many of which were my favorites as well as several mentioned in the video: 'A-Train', 'It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Aint Got That Swing)', 'After You've Gone', 'Summertime', 'It Had To Be You', 'All Of Me', 'Out Of Nowhere', 'Satin Doll', 'Perdido', 'I Found A New Baby', 'Poor Butterfly', 'Rose Room', 'Misty', 'Body And Soul', 'I Can't Give You Anything But Love', 'Aint Misbehaving', 'Autumn Leaves', 'Blue Skies', 'Don't Get Around Much Anymore', 'Georgia On My Mind', 'Honeysuckle Rose', 'Oh, Lady Be Good'. 'Night And Day', 'On The Sunny Side Of The Street', 'Sophisticated Lady', 'Tenderly', 'There'll Never Be Another You', 'How High The Moon', 'Basin Street Blues', 'Avalon', 'I Got Rhythm', 'C-Jam Blues', 'September Song', 'Sweet Georgia Brown', 'Black Coffee', 'I Surrender Dear', 'In A Mellow Tone', 'Caravan', 'St Louis Blues', 'Tenderly', 'Indiana (Back Home Again In)', 'Memories Of You', 'Exactly Like You', 'Moonglow', 'Limehouse Blues', 'Rosetta', 'I'm Confessin' That I Love You', 'September In The Rain', 'Deep Purple', 'Bye, Bye Blackbird', 'Coquette', 'I Don't Know Why', ' etc... about 60-70 tunes just to start which are the backbone of Jazz standards - with the exception of Latin tunes like 'One Note Samba', 'Wave' and 'Girl From Ipanema' and a few others.
I pored over these songs in the days to come with Juhl's suggestion that I at least learn one or two per day. I burned thru them all in a couple of weeks and my playing in Juhl's Jazz group really took off. In the years to come I found learning more of the old standards became so easy and natural and my repertoire really expanded. Just being an improvisational soloist in a Jazz group will only take one so far. You need to learn tunes from every key, in every sub-genre, every tempo and so on. The list above is just a mere sampling, but it was a great start. Many of them I already knew somewhat. Learning them in their proper keys (they were originally written in), played with the proper and correct chords and exact correct melody (not stylized like Willie Nelson's version of 'Georgia' which is grossly incorrect!) brings a enhanced perspective on playing these songs. One other thing I might add which was taught to me by another seasoned Jazz musician is to locate the definitive version for all of these songs not just one's favorite cover by Joe Pass or Bill Evans or whomever. Learn Ellington's original versions of the songs he and his band member's wrote which are the definitive versions. After you have done that, then explore the cover versions by Tal Farlow, Johnny Smith, Barney Kessel and all the rest. Happy learning and performing!
Hey Jens! What are your opinions on using a Solid Body (Les Paul) for Jazz guitars? Can you put flatwounds on and accomplish a good sound for that or do you really have to lean tgowards a semi-hollow body. I have hgotten unwanted feedback from hollow body jazz guitars when playing at the sound level of just keeping up with the volume of a drummer. Lookig at some Les Paul tributes now as they are USA made and around $1K or so. Thanks!
For my college audition I had to play
Now's the time
Autumn Leaves and
So What
Later on we did other standards
I wouldn't mind a video about the differences between "smooth" jazz and "regular" jazz. Are the playing techniques the same? Is one easier or harder?
It's a subjective what is considered smooth jazz, and I usually only label things as smooth jazz if I don't like it, so I might not be the one to make a video like that 🙂
Great list. Here's some follow up tunes that are considered by some as 'must know standards list' which were suggested to me by various teachers as well as other great musicians (many of the following tunes I never even touched yet!) some of them are very difficult (PS all the song in your list were also! in 'my list', so that's why I omitted left them out - You already mention them!): All The Things You Are, Oleo, There Will Never Be Another You, How High the Moon, Just Friends, The Days of Wine and Roses,It Could Happen to you (study in Ascending Modulations), Honeysuckle Rose (study in ii/Vs,) On Green Dolphin Street, Stella By Starlight (Both of which you mention, but did not include), Cherokee, Black Nile, Recorda Me, Stolen Moments and Mr. P.C. (examples of minor Blues), Have You Met Miss Jones? (bridge with Maj 3rd related modulations), All Blues, So What? (two Modal classics), Blue In Green, I Mean You, Firm Roots, Bolivia (two great, very challenging tunes written by Cedar Walton), Moment's Notice, Countdown and Giant Steps. (for quite chromatic & Coltrane Changes examples). Some people might also include E.S.P and 'Sorcerer (for 'Post Bop' examples).
All good ideas :) Maybe for a longer list video later :)
Another "starter" jazz tune could be "Comin Home Baby", Tonic Minor, 12 bar form, but with different turnaround than standard blues, (and also comes in 2 different iterations - one using the iv at bar 5, and the other using bIII dom)
That's interesting! I have never heard of that song :) Who plays it?
I would add My favorite things, all the things you are and my favorite Blue in Green, for Summertime version Jim Hall&Metheny version is my no1 , thanks for your shares
Great list 🙂
Watermelon Man was the first song I learned
Really useful list, Jens. It can be difficult for beginners to know which standards to work on to get results. Some teachers seem to like choosing quite difficult tunes, e.g. All The Things You Are because they challenge the student to learn a lot of jazz concepts. However, I think it's important for beginners to build up a solid repertoire of tunes that they can improvise on and play with other people.
Thank you, John. I completely agree with those priorities 🙂
Great video! A great starter one for me was "How High the Moon" (not the Les Paul version, but the smoother Nate King Cole version).
That is a great song! I would consider it a little difficult for a beginner though. But we don't all learn easy songs to begin with, I started with Green Dolphin Street, Stella By Starlight and There's No Greater Love. In hindsight I could have chosen beter tunes :)
@@JensLarsen That's a really interesting observation. I actually found How High the Moon really straight forward and easier than Autumn Leaves to learn. But Autumn Leaves is great as well!
And yes, you could have chosen some easier ones! lol.
Thanks again for your videos, I am learning so much and, most importantly, they are helping me understand what makes jazz "work". You're a terrific teacher!
Round Midnight because it's beautiful, relatively easy and well known, as well as So What? by Miles Davis and Django by MJQ (really beautiful). You may say it's too complicated but man just listen to the melodies ;)
Hey Jens. Appreciate all your lessons. Sometimes I get a bit overwhelmed because I can’t keep up with it all. Info overload! 😄 And I know I need to not focus on too much at once. Even though I do pick up something from everything you post.
Anyway I’ve heard and recognize many of the standards. I grew up with my father listening to jazz my whole life. But never actually learned and studied them. Was more into rock but have always loved Jazz. Never felt I had the ability to play it. But now I’m determined to try.
So I’ve wondered if there is any particular website, store etc that you recommend to get the chart I see you show on this lesson? I heard you state that real books weren’t the best thing to use. Thanks
Is there a great song that should have been on the list? (and maybe why?)
Check out: The Most Important Scale Exercise In Jazz
ruclips.net/video/2Ze22BNftAA/видео.html
Content:
0:00 Intro - Learn Jazz Make - Music!
0:24 10 Typical Standards and Forms
0:36 The Form Of Songs is Important!
0:56 Where are you coming from?
1:12 Something missing?
1:37 #1 Take The A train
2:04 AABA forms
2:52 #2 Cantaloupe Island - Modal Jazz
4:03 #3 Blues
5:28 #4 Satin Doll
6:12 The Ellington Bridge
6:23 #5 Blue Bossa
6:54 #6 Autumn Leaves
7:25 #7 Perdido - Rhythm Changes Bridge
8:02 No Rhythm Changes?
8:15 The First 3 Standards I learned
8:57 #8 Summertime - Four On Six
9:27 How To Use the list
10:00 Did I leave out a Song?
10:05 #9 Solar - Not by Miles Davis
11:23 #10 All Of Me - ABAC Form
Giant Steps
Great list. I would put two songs more: Night and day (first song i've learned :D, atypical progression with modal-tonal qualities?, but that's what jazz should be?)... and Night in Tunisia. with soooo exotic, dissonant, but beautiful, haunting theme, more (stereo)typical B part - with minor 2/5/1 in two keys, and spectacular, huuuge bridge (C part) which explains what is jazz. Probably i am subjective, but NIT is still my favorite standard.
Hi Jens! Great tips. What do you think about Chick Corea's Matrix? Cheers!
I think Just friends (or almost like being in love) is also a really typycall form, (starting in the 4th degree...)
Great video Jens. I've got you under my skin is a great 251 that is easy and fun to play. I really love come fly with me. Fairly easy and a lot of room improvising.
I just subscribe to your channel. I don’t even play guitar. I’m a keyboard/ piano player and I must say u do have some interesting information. Greetings from France 🇫🇷.
Thank you very much! I am glad you find the videos useful 👍🙂
Can you do a video on how to play the blues form and sound like Jazz, Everytime I play blues form solo it sound too "bluesy" I want it "jazzy"
Maybe check out this study guide: jenslarsen.nl/how-to-learn-to-play-an-f-jazz-blues-study-guide/
Giant Steps is a fantastic entry point piece for new players to pick up - simple chord progression, few chord changes, too. :-|
wtf
That's funny
Hi Mr. Jens Larsen! I can see four (4) songs from the list that are actually on my repertoire! So good! Hahahahaha🎸🎶🎼
That's great! No go learn the other 6 😄
Pp8ji
Thank you, Jens, good list. I'd add just one tune for the challenge it means playing on an odd time signature, while not being too complex harmonically. It's "Take Five"
Just what I was looking for, thank you!!!
You're very welcome! :)
Hi Jens, I've been a long time lover of jazz and a recent jazz guitar student. Just discovered you TODAY and really appreciating your approach. What about "I've Got You Under My Skin" as a beginner song. Too easy?
I think the form is too long and the dim suspensions make it a little tricky for a beginner, but that is of course just my opinion :)
The Girl From Ipanema. Not only a great tune, but a lot going on harmonically and an unusual bridge
Which is also why it maybe should not be one of the very first to learn? 🙂
@@JensLarsen True. Would be lovely to watch/hear your approach to it though 🎸
@@Onoins425 we'll see. Maskine videos on whole songs rarely works for RUclips 🙂
Continue doing what you're doing man. You're the best. I love ROAD SONG by WES. Quite simple.
Thank you! Road song is indeed quite an easy tune :)
1) A lot of sax players listen to Joe Henderson's improv of "A Train" on the Echoes of an Era album, with Chaka Khan, Lenny White, Joe, Chick Corea, Freddy Hubbard and Stanley Clarke
2) Basically every Miles "hit" is required.
3) Learn both II-V as well as IV-V blues.
How do I fix "dumb finger" ? (Dumb finger keep muting the string next to it!)
Practice slowly so you can pay attention to being precise :)
I have spent 2 years trying to remember the melody of Summertime, and I still struggle to remember it all the way through, and same for all other songs. How does one absorb music into mind and fingers so it is remembered?
Learn to sing it
Who are the trombonists you like?
I guess I listened the most to Robin Eubanks and Bob Brookmeyer and a little to Conrad Herwig
After 30 yrs as a symphony orchestra bassist, I was lucky and went straight into professional jazz gigs. I was sweating it out in the beginning and getting frustrated trying to learn this song then the next- a very slow process. I found it more useful in my situation to learn the forms. Once you know the forms, you know the songs (also known as faking it, and assuming you have a good ear). Many songs I've played for the first time was in a live performance. When I would check what I played with the original chords I would get it right. Here is what I concentrated on: 1. Blues 2. Rhythm Changes (the chord changes of 'I Got Rhythm") 3. Songs based on the circle of 5ths- 'Autumn Leaves', 'Fly Me to the Moon'. 4. Song forms: aaba, abac. It then became easy to learn songs at a quicker pace because I would recognize the form and think "Oh, it's 1,2, or 3. The only problem with this method is the "bridge" in songs written after ca. 1930 as they tend not to follow the Rhythm Changes progression but would more or less change key at the bridge (as evidenced by all the accidentals). Otherwise, this method seems to hold true for songs from the 1890s-1960s. The only songs I really had to learn one by one was Bossa. This is what worked for me. But a lot depends on where you are coming from in your pursuit of jazz.
I can also recommend "So Danco Samba" by Antonio Carlos Jobim. It's a quite easy bossa nova with an AABA form and a similar chord progression to "Take the A train". I think these two songs are good to be practised together 😉
Certainly! But it is also almost like having the same song twice :)
As a vocalist, my intro song to jazz was “my funny valentine” the idea that such a simple melody could have such interesting and, to me, exciting harmony was suuuch an eye opener
That's indeed often the case: vocalists will learn a "simple" melody with some horrifyingly difficult harmony under it :) I used to comp a lot of singing lessons when I was studying and that always happened
That can't be an easy song to sing at any level...fairly opaque harmony as I remember it.
May I ask, your early influences as a kid, and how you got started, I was born in 1959, blessed with a musical father, whom was interested in the big Band Era, prior to WW2, taught my older late brother similar to how you teach, and my younger Brother as well.
Maybe check this out: ruclips.net/video/BFdbLP8XqF4/видео.html
Freddie Freeloader? - Jazzin up a blues. I think it is an easier blues to jazz transition. Definitely hear the chords going by in a simpler melody which can be made faster and more complicated as you become capable with continued practice.
That's a good blues as well! :)
Ah, Pat Metheny and Steve Swallow...
2 tunes I would add to this list:
- There Will Never Be Another You
- It Could Happen to You
In terms of common chord progressions, these tunes collectively have almost every common device one encounters when learning Tin Pan Alley tunes.
Certainly essential songs to know, but too difficult for a beginners list :)
great list -covers all the bases .... you've included blues but how about "Mr. PC" minor blues? nice to have something by Coltrane that has a simple head.
I think minor blues is a little more complicated and often played quite fast :)
Are there any standards using the 12-bar blues that are most accessible in the beginning? So far I have been learning Fly me to the Moon, East of the Sun, and Take the A Train up and down the neck (chords and melody) so looking for something a bit more challenging but not crazy.
Tenor Madness or Blues in the closet might be good options
Down in Brazil by Michael Frank’s is super great in my opinion, learn it!!!
I think the first few jazz tunes I learned were Autumn Leaves, Satin Doll, There Will Never Be Another You and Moonlight In Vermont. My teacher at the time was not into modal playing so I didn´t go there till much later. My first couple of modal tunes were So What and Little Sunflower. I think my first blues was Blues By Five, and Oleo was my first rhythm head.
Solid! 🙂
I like: All The Things You Are, Tenderly, Bluesette,, Sunny, Stompin at the Savoy. They were not hard to learn and easy to memorize.
Great songs, though I would not really give them to beginning students :)
Charlie Christian on Stompin' at the Savoy is musical euphoria for me. Unreal chops.
@@SimpleManGuitars1973 Quite amazing. I learned the version in this link:
ruclips.net/video/twdZTaztBDg/видео.html
Hmmmm...Lesseee...
Willow Weep For Me
They Can't Take That Away From Me
The Shadow of Your Smile
All Blues
Our Love is Here to Stay
If I Were a Bell
Little Sunflower
Here's That Rainy Day
Love For Sale
Moanin' (Timmons)
...From a bass player's perspective! I can hear those bass lines now!🎶🎵Walk on!👣👣👣👣...
Another Ellington tune that has a great swing feel is In a Mellow Tone.
My music teacher suggested to learn A Song For My Father which is a good jazz standard. It’s helped me improvise
That's a good one too for sure!
#11 'Stella by Starlight' is a beautiful tune and well worth learning. Check out the Jim Hall Trio version.
'So What' is another excellent modal piece, and if you're new to transcribing it's a great place to start.
Perfect list as a first 10! Number 11: All Blues (easy enough) and number 12: Mayden Voyage (easy enough but modally challenging and modern sounding) and in the next list of 10 i would also start adding some "spice" with songs like Yes of No (Wayne Shorter), Inner Urge (Joe Henderson). Then, if one keeps progressing, something like Mick Goodrick's Summer Band Camp (but that might be around number fifty.something...) :-)
I would suggest learning a few more standards beforegoing to modal pieces like that, but that is of course also a question of taste :)
Of course, taste is paramount! To begin with, perhaps, choose your favourite EASY songs. Anyway, I think pieces such as (for example) So What or Little Sunflower are good for developing a sense of "harmonic rhythm" when improvising (and especially when comping). On So What the comping instrument must be absolutely spot on when that Eb min7 arrives (It's easy to "fall asleep" on the D min7)! By the way Jens, that might be an interesting topic: harmonic rhythm and working on not getting lost on the form when improvising and especially when comping... have you already touched this subject in any of your past videos? I guess a metronome is the best tool for working on this...
Can you please explain playing 'Harmonic Minor on the Dominant' ?
Super solid advice man. I Learned Autumn Leaves in 1972 , it’s a real audience pleaser, worth learning no matter what genre you generally play.
Thanks! That is indeed true :)
I'm new to jazz, what's with all the ø's and Δ's, do I have to learn Norwegian first?
A little Norwegian is handy for small talk, but you could also start working on some Jazz chords, maybe these videos will help: ruclips.net/video/zH4uQYgDotM/видео.html
Maybe you could add black Orpheus...it's also a great way to work on a minor key
True, but maybe just a little more complicated than the songs in the list? 🙂
Interesting what will be the last standard to learn - IMHO 'Giant Steps'
Giant Steps is not that difficult, there are a lot of more weird songs out there :)
Ivan Georgiev I’ve heard some great players fall completely apart on it, even at moderate tempo!
I am a rock fusion player but follow you because you are the best Jazz teacher. 51 years and still learning Jazz.
Thank you! :)
I want to clarify on getting music on Jazz Standards. I know there are copyright issues with music. I am not looking for free downloads. I’m looking for a reputable website or company in which to purchase sheet music. I was hoping an experienced jazz player might know to go through. Thanks
Good question, I have the 3 new real books from Hal Leonard, they are pretty good but there are not that many standards in them. I don't know any other places. IReal is used often but the changes usually suck
Musicnotes.com is an excellent source of sheet music. Not 100% error free, but generally pretty solid. Most of their stuff is transposable, very helpful if you're a singer. You'll need to download their player app, which is super easy to use. (Not associated with them, just a happy customer for over 7 years.) Also, IReal lets you make your own charts, so if you disagree with a chord, you can make a copy of the chart and edit the copy to your liking and save that for yourself.
Excellent compilation, I would add "Blue in Green" by Bill Evans andMiles Davis.
When learning tunes, should we be learning them straight as originally written, say as found in a showtune book, or is there in certain cases where a popular treatment by a jazz artist is what we should be learning?
It doesn't really matter, just learn the tune and try to adapt to the people you need to play it with. Going hunting for original changes is something you can do later :)
Jens, thanks for ALL the great lessons, I'm hoping you have some advice on the following:
If you are trying to play a melody (say, to a standard) on the spot that you haven’t played before (or it’s been a while) are you thinking about the underlying chords (if you know them) to help you hit the right notes, or are you just trying to hear intervals between the notes and not thinking about the harmony at all? I’m trying to improve in this area, but not sure what the correct approach should be.
That's Difficult, for better or worse I actually find I can only play the melody by heart. I don't try to figure it out, that never works for me :)
I will do just that ... learn those ten standards - and add ten more from my own list of favourites. BUT - how do you determine what key to practise? As a beginner, it is of some importance - I cannot practise a song in Bb, find all the voicings etc ... and then being asked to play it in D! So yesterday I spent some time researching what keys those well-known standars most often are played in. Well, everybody agrees that 'Take The A Train' is C major ... but very often you can find two or more keys for a specific song. Now my question: Is there a go-to source on the internet, a kind of most-authoritative list of keys for jazz standards??
I got started playing jazz by studying the blues. Somehow I got stuck there.
Your list is solid. For others who might be starting out, Freddie the Freeloader and Watermelon Man are other great blues tunes and Maiden Voyage is another great modal piece similar to Cantaloupe Island. Yay Music!
Indeed also solid choices :)
How about Softly as in a morning sunrise :)
That could work as well :) A bit busy for somebody just starting jazz, maybe?
I don’t know how often it comes up but I think “So What” by Miles would be pretty easy for a beginner.
Not really, since it does not teach you how to play to changes and is surprisingly difficult in terms of feeling the form, so the things you learn there don't really help you that much with other songs.
@@JensLarsen Ok! Thanks!
I am transitioning from Metal to Jazz. Jazz music helps me sleep at night. I don't think I will be listening to metal again. Where should I start from?
I know that this is an old video, but maybe one of these? ruclips.net/video/rewhHzkr8K4/видео.html
I have a spotify playlist too with some people to check out if you are interested :)
You are a good man Jens Larsen. Much grateful for the sound advice. Thank you for sharing the wisdom.
ive been playing guitar for about a year and i just discovered jazz but it looks complicated and i love it, id like to know whats the very first things i need to know to start in jazz, scales, chords, tmie signatures, what do i need?
Major scales and diatonic arpeggios. Maybe look up my video called "the most important scale exercise in Jazz"
@@JensLarsen thank you buddy
Hi, Jens...what about Equinox? Would you consider it as a good tune for a beginner’s repertoire?
A teacher started me on Blue 'n Green... the worst tune for a beginner for so many reasons. It ruined it for me, actually, and I haven't looked it in many many years - to play nor to listen to. So, anything with a strong tonal centre is a good start! A hook, a singable melody, and if there are words, even better because they will provide another anchor for the form.
My contribution to the list is 'Black Orpheus'.
Good video but you didn't stop talking long enough to enjoy your samples.........
Such an important topic to talk about. Great to hear your take on it, Jens! :)
Also, did this video get cut off? Is there a part 2? Thanks again. Great video!
Thanks Nick! I actually just decided not to have an ending on this video as an experiment :)
Cherry pink and apple blossom white.... Great jam.. Basic chords and melody mostly diatonic.. Easy to remember. It's in Eb so good on horns as well. Love what your doing? Mr Natural (Natch to my friends)
Mr Natural - I always liked that melody, which I first heard by Herb Alpert, I think.
"Lucy and Linus" is another great time I've been having fun with (as a drummer).
Great lesson! Very informative! Could you please inform as to the name of the tuner on your headstock? Thanks, and please keep up the great work!
That’s brilliant Jens, especially following your PM to me. The “Don’t watch my videos” comment took me by surprise but I get why you mentioned it. ;-)
Well, practice is more important than RUclips :) There's no denying that!
A thousand thanks to Jens for continually inspiring me and feeding me ways to improve.
Wonderful!
I want to learn jazz standards and I would like to know what is the best way to learn them, that is tabs or something else? Pls advice
Can u also pls suggest me some websites where I can find the chord charts for the song?
Learn them by ear. I have a video on it on the channel :)
@@JensLarsen Thanks for the reply. Will surely watch the video!
You should give a shot listening to Carnatic music and hindustani classical music. It may be a different musical universe but its ultimately music!
Freddie Freeloader and All Blues are good for blues. Very simple. Can go beyond pentatonics but it's still a simple blues.