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[Beginner] Start with this song! A collection of practice tunes for jazz beginners

Among those who have just started an instrument, many are practicing guitar, piano, saxophone, or trumpet with a single-minded desire to play jazz.

That said, jazz can seem intimidating and difficult…

For anyone feeling that way, this article rounds up beginner-friendly jazz practice tunes.

They’re all standard numbers that nearly everyone has heard at least once, and with simple arrangements they can sound convincingly jazzy while being perfect for learning jazz style.

Future jazz players, take note!

Playlist

[Beginner] Start with this song! A collection of practice tunes for jazz beginners
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1eastMistyErroll Garner
MistyErroll Garnerplay_arrow
The masterpiece “Misty” born from an airplane window
2eastSong for My FatherHorace Silver
Song for My FatherHorace Silverplay_arrow
Horace Silver’s famous tune, a love song to his father
3eastAll BluesMiles Davis
All BluesMiles Davisplay_arrow
Miles Davis's masterpiece album
4eastCold Duck TimeEddie Harris
Cold Duck TimeEddie Harrisplay_arrow
Eddie Harris’s groove-packed classic
5eastStella by StarlightVictor Young
Stella by StarlightVictor Youngplay_arrow
A masterpiece that speaks of love under the starlight
6eastAutumn leavesJoseph Kosma
Autumn leavesJoseph Kosmaplay_arrow
The classic song 'Autumn Leaves' is perfect for getting into jazz.
7eastSomeday My Prince Will ComeFrank Churchill
Someday My Prince Will ComeFrank Churchillplay_arrow
A maiden’s dream song as she waits for her prince
8eastWhat Is This Thing Called LoveCole Porter
What Is This Thing Called LoveCole Porterplay_arrow
Cole Porter’s masterpieces, the foundations of jazz
9eastBlue MonkThelonious Monk
Blue MonkThelonious Monkplay_arrow
The Appeal of Monk’s Classic “Blue Monk”
10eastTake the “A” TrainBilly Strayhorn
Take the "A" TrainBilly Strayhornplay_arrow
A Jazz Classic Born from the New York Subway
11eastThere Is No Greater LoveIsham Jones
There Is No Greater LoveIsham Jonesplay_arrow
The classic love song 'There Is No Greater Love'
12eastAll the Things You AreJerome Kern
All the Things You AreJerome Kernplay_arrow
A beautiful melody and an emotionally rich love song
13eastBag’s GrooveMilt Jackson
Bag's GrooveMilt Jacksonplay_arrow
The Appeal of Milt Jackson’s Jazz Masterpieces
14eastWork SongNat Adderley
Work SongNat Adderleyplay_arrow
The Allure of the Melancholic Blues “Work Song”
15eastThere Will Never Be Another YouHarry Warren
There Will Never Be Another YouHarry Warrenplay_arrow
The appeal and characteristics of jazz standard songs
16eastIt Could Happen to YouJimmy Van Heusen
It Could Happen to YouJimmy Van Heusenplay_arrow
An unexpected romance, a catchy hit song!
17eastTake FiveDave Brubeck
Take FiveDave Brubeckplay_arrow
A classic jazz piece in 5/4 time composed by Desmond
18eastThe Girl From IpanemaAstrud Gilberto
The Girl From IpanemaAstrud Gilbertoplay_arrow
The Girl from Ipanema: The Appeal of a World-Famous Classic
19eastFly Me to the MoonBart Howard
Fly Me to the MoonBart Howardplay_arrow
The jazz classic 'Moon' beloved by many
20eastBlue BossaKenny Dorham
Blue BossaKenny Dorhamplay_arrow
"Blue Bossa" is a popular tune among jazz beginners.
21eastFly Me to the MoonFrank Sinatra
Fly Me to the MoonFrank Sinatraplay_arrow
Eva's ending theme 'Fly Me'
22eastThe Way You Look TonightJimmy McGriff
The Way You Look TonightJimmy McGriffplay_arrow
A jazz standard cover by Jimmy McGriff
23eastThe Days of Wine and RosesHenry Mancini
The Days of Wine and RosesHenry Manciniplay_arrow
Henry Mancini’s masterpiece resonates with the heart.
24eastLove Is Here to StayGeorge Gershwin
Love Is Here to StayGeorge Gershwinplay_arrow
A masterpiece by the Gershwin brothers, singing of eternal love
25eastDoxySonny Rollins
DoxySonny Rollinsplay_arrow
The famous song “Doxy” by Sonny Rollins
26eastSummertimeGeorge Gershwin
SummertimeGeorge Gershwinplay_arrow
The Allure of Gershwin’s Masterpiece “Summertime”
27eastBye Bye BlackbirdRay Henderson
Bye Bye BlackbirdRay Hendersonplay_arrow
Best jazz practice pieces for beginners
28eastAll of MeGerald Marks / Seymour Simons
All of MeGerald Marks / Seymour Simonsplay_arrow
The Allure of the Jazz Standard 'All of Me'
29eastSt.ThomasSonny Rollins
St.ThomasSonny Rollinsplay_arrow
Sonny Rollins' St. Thomas
30eastC Jam BluesDuke Ellington
C Jam BluesDuke Ellingtonplay_arrow
The Perfect Practice Tune for Jazz Beginners: “C Jam Blues”
31eastThe Way You Look TonightJerome Kern
The Way You Look TonightJerome Kernplay_arrow
The jazz standard “The Way You Lo