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 written2Follow it through the decades3Play along with the changes

New to jazz? Start with Autumn Leaves, the first standard most players learn.

• ▶ Play 8 recordings, starting with Ella Fitzgerald

  All the Things You Are

  Kern/Hammerstein, 1939

  A♭ major36 bars8 recordings
  What to listen for, and the changes →
• ▶ Play 8 recordings, starting with Nat King Cole (Nelson Riddle and his orchestra)

  Autumn Leaves

  Kosma/Prévert/Mercer, 1945

  G minor32 bars8 recordings
  What to listen for, and the changes →
• ▶ Play 8 recordings, starting with Billie Holiday and Her Orchestra

  Body and Soul

  Green/Heyman/Sour/Eyton, 1930

  D♭ major32 bars8 recordings
  What to listen for, and the changes →
• ▶ Play 8 recordings, starting with Mary Martin and Patricia Neway (original Broadway cast)

  My Favorite Things

  Rodgers/Hammerstein, 1959

  E minor72 bars8 recordings
  What to listen for, and the changes →
• ▶ Play 8 recordings, starting with Billy Eckstine

  My Foolish Heart

  Young/Washington, 1949

  B♭ major32 bars8 recordings
  What to listen for, and the changes →
• ▶ Play 8 recordings, starting with Thelonious Monk Quintet

  'Round Midnight

  Monk/Williams/Hanighen, 1944

  E♭ minor32 bars8 recordings
  What to listen for, and the changes →
• ▶ Play 8 recordings, starting with June Christy

  Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise

  Romberg/Hammerstein, 1928

  C minor32 bars8 recordings
  What to listen for, and the changes →
• ▶ Play 8 recordings, starting with Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl and his Orchestra

  Stella by Starlight

  Young/Washington, 1944

  B♭ major32 bars8 recordings
  What to listen for, and the changes →
• ▶ Play 8 recordings, starting with Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald

  Summertime

  Gershwin/Heyward, 1935

  A minor16 bars8 recordings
  What to listen for, and the changes →