There are hundreds and even thousands of jazz standards to learn. Playing jazz requires a reasonable amount of repertoire ready to be played at a moment’s notice (no pun intended). It can be overwhelming!
We get emails from time to time from musicians asking for advice on which standards to learn. There are so many standards it can be hard to know where to start and which ones are the most important. It’s important to know as many standards as possible.
Not only will this help you out during a jam session or gig, it will strengthen your harmonic knowledge and improvisation skills. However, it’s impossible to know them all and indeed some are more important to know than others.
Every city or region tends to have a different set of common tunes that jazz musicians will call. One cities list may differ slightly from the other, or even different circles of musicians will have different lists. It’s important to get involved in your local jazz scene and find out what other musicians in your area like to play.
But there are certain tunes that I would consider the standards among standards; the songs that every jazz musician needs to know and will likely be called in any jazz scene you are a part of.
Below is a list of 50 jazz standards you need to know. If you are a beginner and looking for a place to start, this is your list! Make it a goal to learn every tune in here and you will have an excellent foundation to build off of.
If you are an experienced player, make sure you know all of these tunes. I guarantee that these will get called on you at some point.
If you don’t know one of these tunes, take advantage of everything Learn Jazz Standards has to offer! We have spent years and countless hours researching these tunes, creating chord charts and play-alongs, and building up resources to help you learn these important songs. To learn these songs and learn more about them, click on them!
But before you start learning, make sure you download our free eGuide “Learn Jazz Standards the Smart Way” so that you can learn how to crush it on any of these 50.
50 Jazz Standards Every Jazz Musician Needs To Know:
- All of Me
- All The Things You Are
- Alone Together
- Autumn Leaves
- Billie’s Bounce
- Black Orpheus
- Blue Bossa
- Body and Soul
- But Not For Me
- Bye Bye Blackbird
- Cherokee
- Confirmation
- Days of Wine and Roses
- Doxy
- Fly Me To The Moon
- Footprints
- Four
- Have You Met Miss Jones
- How High The Moon
- I Hear a Rhapsody
- I Love You
- I Remember You
- I’ll Remember April
- I’m Old Fashioned
- If I Should Lose You
- If I Were A Bell
- In A Mellow Tone
- In A Sentimental Mood
- It Could Happen To You
- Just Friends
- Misty
- My Funny Valentine
- Night and Day
- Oleo
- On Green Dolphin Street
- Recorda Me
- Satin Doll
- Stella By Starlight
- Scrapple From The Apple
- So What
- Solar
- St. Thomas
- Sweet Georgia Brown
- Take The A Train
- The Girl From Ipanema
- There Is No Greater Love
- There Will Never Be Another You
- Up Jumped Spring
- What Is This Thing Called Love
- Yesterdays
How many of these do you know? In this list is a wealth of knowledge. All of the lessons about jazz harmony, theory and language can be found just by studying these.
Already know all of them? Your journey is not over. Visit our index to view an even larger list. Make learning jazz standards a priority and you will find that the tunes will teach you how to play.
Remember that the most important thing you can do with these standards is learning them the right way so you don’t forget them in the long run and are set up for improv success.
So be sure to get our free guide for learning jazz standards by clicking here.
Great List Brent ~! Nice job.
I like the list I play vibes and like practice with play along charts..need your contact phone ..have some questions.
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What’s the name of the Dexter Gordon Rhythm Changes tune?
It’s called Apple Jump from the album Biting the Apple
I think you need to add a few "trad" tunes. This list won't get you through a trad gig at all
No Herbie Hancock Tunes? *Smile* Otherwise good list Brent!
My Romance should make the list! 🙂
How long does it generally take to learn these 50 jazz standards, and how many do you need to know before you can attend jam sessions? (I know it differs from person to person, so for example tell me how long it took you)
Hey Pantoleon, I wouldn't worry so much about learning every single one. Start with 10. Try these: https://www.learnjazzstandards.com/blog/learning-jazz/jazz-advice/10-jazz-standards-will-make-learning-jazz-easier/
As far as attending jam sessions, it really depends! Maybe only two or three, if you're able to join up for one you know.
No Skylark, One Note Samba, My Romance? These are musts for any live jazz or society band.
Hey Tom, this is just a list of 50. It's not meant to leave any out or say those aren't worthy to mention as well.
Good List Brent
Thanks John!
No Willow Weep for Me?
Willow Weep for Me is a great tune, Tony!