Jazz Changes

Learn jazz standards by ear. For each tune: the essential recordings in the order to hear them, what to listen for, and the chord changes.

1Hear the song as written2Hear how players changed it3Play along with the changes

Start here

Short forms and clear harmony: the tunes most players learn first.

▶ 8 recordings in order, starting with Nat King Cole

Autumn Leaves

Kosma/Prévert/Mercer, 1945

G minor32 bars
▶ 8 recordings in order, starting with Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald

Summertime

Gershwin/Heyward, 1935

A minor16 bars

Next steps

Longer forms, more key changes, a waltz and a ballad.

▶ 8 recordings in order, starting with Ella Fitzgerald

All the Things You Are

Kern/Hammerstein, 1939

A♭ major36 bars
▶ 8 recordings in order, starting with Mary Martin and Patricia Neway

My Favorite Things

Rodgers/Hammerstein, 1959

E minor72 bars
▶ 8 recordings in order, starting with Billy Eckstine

My Foolish Heart

Young/Washington, 1949

B♭ major32 bars
▶ 8 recordings in order, starting with June Christy

Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise

Romberg/Hammerstein, 1928

C minor32 bars

Challenges

Fast-moving harmony, a far-off bridge and Monk.

▶ 8 recordings in order, starting with Billie Holiday

Body and Soul

Green/Heyman/Sour/Eyton, 1930

D♭ major32 bars
▶ 8 recordings in order, starting with Thelonious Monk Quintet

'Round Midnight

Monk/Williams/Hanighen, 1944

E♭ minor32 bars
▶ 8 recordings in order, starting with Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl

Stella by Starlight

Young/Washington, 1944

B♭ major32 bars