I’ll start out by saying that jazz beginners are usually pretty good blues players. We have a few of those at the circle but nobody needs to stay on this list. As usual play what you like, just show up to play.
Here are 25 Jazz standards from the teachings of Aimee Nolte. If she played guitar she would be perfect but alas no one is perfect. These are ranked by difficulty for pianists from easy to more difficult. I’ll try to work down the list by linking to examples of performances and tutorials. As I learn new tunes I’ll link to my own renditions.
If anyone has a list that is specific to guitar players please let me know in the comments.
There is also a lot of Sandra Sherman here. She is a terrific teacher for beginning jazz guitar.
- 25. Take the A Train
- Duke Ellington
- Ella Fitzgerald –
- Sandra Sherman – Chord Melody
- Jens Larsen – Chord Magic
- 24. Autumn Leaves
- Justin Guitar – Chords only
- Sandra Sherman – Chord Melody –
- 23. All of Me
- 22. Blue Bossa
- 21. Satin Doll
- Duke Ellington
- Count Basie
- Sandra Sherman – Chord Melody
- 20. Fly me to The Moon
- 19. So What
- Miles Davis – Analysis
- Sandra Sherman – Voicings and Bass Line ***********
- 18. Straight no Chaser
- 17. Summertime
- Ella Fitzgerald –
- Sandra Sherman -Gm – Chord Melody ********
- HPCrazy Guitar – Am Tutorial
- Am7 / E7#9 / Am7 / A7b13 / Dm9 / F13 / E7#9 / E7#9 Am7 / E7#9 / Am7 / D9 / C Am / D E / Am7 / E7#9
- 16. Oleo
- 15. Alone Together
- Chet Baker
- Paul Desmond
- Sandra Sherman – Chord Melody
- 14. How High the Moon
- 13. Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise
- 12. Bye Bye Blackbird
- 11. Mr PC
- 10. St Thomas
- 9. Someday my Prince will Come
- 8. Black Orpheus
- 7. Cherokee
- 6. Footprints
- 5. The Girl from Ipanema
- 4. All the Things You Are
- 3. On Green Dolphin St.
- 2. Stella by Starlight
- 1. Confirmation
Pickers Circle 