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