What are the essential jazz standards to learn?

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KurasKuras Frets: 81
I have a real book and I'd like to know what are 10-15 jazz standards I should know off by heart that always come up at jams? I feel like that is a good place to start.

Autumn Leaves of course!

Cheers
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  • vizviz Frets: 11278
    edited January 24
    The good thing about learning Autumn Leaves is that you will also be able to play:

    ·         Still got the Blues

    ·         Emporte Moi

    ·         Europa

    ·         Nordrach

    ·         Y Volvere

    ·         the MASH theme tune

    ·         Brother can you Spare a Dime

    ·         Pink Panther moat scene (theme 2)

    ·         Hello (Lionel Ritchie)

    and also

    ·         Parisienne Walkways

    ·         Blue Bossa

    ·         I Will Survive

    ·         Burn (the middle 8)

    ·         Fly me to the Moon

    ·         Lou Reed - Perfect Day

    ·         Cat Stevens - Wild World

    ·         Mike Mullen’s Space Overture

    ·         Yngwie Malmsteen - Rising Force

    ·         Pink Panther moat scene (theme 1)

    ·         Britten’s Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra

    ·         All the Things You Are

    RSD: It's going to get worse before it gets worse.
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  • BradBrad Frets: 725
    I wouldn’t be concerned so much with what crops up at jams necessarily, more with what standards will equip you with being able to take on most things. 

    Jazz/Blues of some sort (Billies Bounce etc)

    Minor Blues of some sort (Mr PC etc)

    Rhythm Changes of some sort (I Got Rhythm, Moose The Mooche, Anthropology, Oleo etc)

    All The Things You Are
    Stella By Starlight
    Donna Lee
    Just Friends
    All Of Me
    Blue Bossa
    How Insensitive
    Giant Steps 
    Modal tunes (So What/Impressions, All Blues, Freddie Freeloader etc)
    East Of The Sun (And West of The Moon)
    Tune Up
    Stompin’ At The Savoy
    Body And Soul
    But Not For Me
    Days Of Wine And Roses
    Misty

    This isn’t an exhaustive list and there are loads I could’ve included, but it’s generally a good starting point at least. 


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  • joeWjoeW Frets: 653
    @Brad has pretty much nailed it imv.  Those will unlock a large amount of material that can be applied to other tunes 
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  • BradBrad Frets: 725
    I should’ve added at least a couple of tunes in 3/4 - My Favourite Things and West Coast Blues
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  • KurasKuras Frets: 81
    Thanks so much @Brad. This is gold
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  • EvoEvo Frets: 335
    Knowing ANY jazz tunes off by heart will put you ahead of the game at 90% of the jazz jams I've ever been to.

    If you can pick out a ii V I when you hear it, and have a couple of tasty licks under your belt to navigate them then you should be good.

    Unless it's gypsy jazz.

    Those guys go HARD.  
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  • BradBrad Frets: 725
    Kuras said:
    Thanks so much @Brad. This is gold
    You're very welcome :smile: 

    Lots of listening, lots of transcribing, using the Real Book as a reference (not a crutch) and there will be no stopping you.

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  • HootsmonHootsmon Frets: 16503
    Round Midnight
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  • DominicDominic Frets: 17527
    Evo said:
    Knowing ANY jazz tunes off by heart will put you ahead of the game at 90% of the jazz jams I've ever been to.

    If you can pick out a ii V I when you hear it, and have a couple of tasty licks under your belt to navigate them then you should be good.

    Unless it's gypsy jazz.

    Those guys go HARD.  
    Yeah, Fuckin Gypsies innit !
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  • DominicDominic Frets: 17527
    ......Jazz ? ..yup all the real book stuff but bustin out a bit of comping like A Train or Take 5 always gives everybody a bit of fun on a jam .....the melodies are well known to all and good for basic improv
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  • duotoneduotone Frets: 1176
    Had this bookmarked & have found this useful: https://www.jazzguitar.be/blog/category/jazz-standards/

    Shows notation & TAB with the ability to listen & play along with how it should sound. Has a backing track for each song, some history of the song & recommended listening versions.
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