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Jazz standards

#2
Tradition says you must learn a 12 bar blues first, then all the variations of it, then Autumn Leaves and/or Rhythm changes (a tune like Oleo).

Why do you want to start playing jazz? If it's because you truly like it, then I think you should start by learning the songs you like to listen to. Then follow the progression of tunes above, it's a good and logical method to learn the language of jazz.

If it's because you think you should learn jazz to be a better musician, then listen to lots of jazz to find some songs you like and start with those. "Jazz" is a vast genre and there's probably something in there that can appeal to everyone. If you're coming from a modern pop/R&B/groove perspective, check out the song "Strasbourg/St. Denis" by the Roy Hargrove Quintet, or anything by RH Factor, which is another band led by Roy Hargrove. Joshua Redman's albums "Momentum," "Elastic," and "Freedom In The Groove" are also excellent.

Nobody would ask the question "I want to start playing rock, what are some good songs to start with?" They would learn rock because they like it and they would learn the songs they like. Jazz is just music, there's nothing holier about it than any other style. Enjoy it and learn the music you enjoy before you turn it into a chore and study it.
 
#3
That's kind of how I got into jazz as well. I didn't really know who or what to look for that would be at my level.

A few easier ones to start with:
Blue Bosssa - latin bossa style
Song For My Father - also bossa
St Thomas - latin caribbean
Autumn Leaves - similar to Europa by Santana
Take The A Train - walking changes
So What - modal
Milestones - modal
Just The Two Of Us - Bill Withers early smooth jazz
The Chicken - Pee Wee Ellis (JBs) - made famous by Jaco

Search for high school jazz repertoire for others at this level.
 
#4
Here's some that come up a lot:

Autumn Leaves
All the Things You Are
As Time Goes By
Blue Bossa
Don't Get Around Much Anymore
Satin Doll
When Sunny Gets Blue
Wave
The Days of Wine and Roses
Take Five
Take the A Train
All of Me
My Funny Valentine

Many more. Getcha a Real Book.
 
#6
My recommendation would be to start with a very simple but beautiful "Manhã de Carnaval" ("Morning of Carnival"), the most popular song by Brazilian composer Luiz Bonfá and lyricist Antônio Maria.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhã_de_Carnaval

"Manhã de Carnaval has become a jazz standard in the USA, while it is still performed regularly by a wide variety of musicians around the world in its vocalized version or just as an instrumental one. In the United States, the song is also known as "A Day in the Life of a Fool", "Carnival", "Theme from Black Orpheus", or simply "Black Orpheus"."

Stanley Turrentine - Manha Carnaval
Ron Carter (b)


This tune is stored in album "A Bluish Bag" which was recorded on February 17, 1967.
 
#9
Cheers folks, some good suggestions.
I have played rock, blues & soul for years but have always liked Mingus, Parker & Davis.
I have recently began to appreciate weather Report, Jaco, Tower of Power & Esperanza Spalding.

The band I am currently in allows me more freedom than i am used and I am relishing the prospect of "jazzing up" my playing. Walking lines aren't really a problem but i am just looking for new ideas.

Thanks again.
 
#11
Jamey Aebersold books/play along. volume 54 comes up a lot for some reason

iReal b app is quite nice if you have a tablet that is large enough to display them (and for your eyes). There are tons of jazz standards that you can download from their site, but unlike the printed books, it's a snap to tranpose on the fly. You can also have alternate versions of tunes, just make a copy of one and tweak as needed. You can use them to play along with, or just as a chart. The only trade-off from the printed books is that they don't have the melody.

Wes Montgomery tunes are pretty fun, too. (West Coast Blues, Road Song, Four on Six)
 
#12
I would recommend starting with the basics - The 12 bar blues varients and rythym changes. Those 2 alone cover more than 1/2 of what you'll encounter. Cycle blues are a blast to play. Bird's Blues for Alice is a great example of that.
 
#14
All great suggestions from the replies.

One thing I would say is research and learn about the history of jazz and then listen to recordings of various bands and players from the different eras. This gives you an idea of how the language of jazz has developed. Listen to Dixieland, Big band music and the Swing era stuff, Bebop, Modal Jazz, Free jazz, Jazz rock. The key musicians would be too long a list to mention here but certainly check out Louis Armstrong, Coleman Hawkins, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis and John Coltrane.

Milestones hits the nail on the head in asking 'why' you would want to learn. You need to find jazz music you like. if you can't find any then you are gonna have a real hard time trying to learn it as a style. That said, I've played in many bands and backed many artists as a sideman where the music is far from my taste but it pays as a pro to diversify your playing even if it's not your bag. Just keep listening to as much jazz as possible and I'm sure you'll find something you like. I remember hearing a live recording of Domination by Cannonball Adderley and thinking "This is some heavy sh*t!" I was hooked from that point.

Mark
 
#15
Hello,
I am also interested in jazz music last years. Can anyone would be able to recommend some books where to be taught how to built bass lines onto jazz standards. I've played hard rock and rock n roll more than 20 years but I would like to start with a new approach . Would be especially good if there were a book which includes the bass notes of the famous standard songs. I have tried to make themselves different bass lines but then they sound like blues or rock songs:)

Thanking in advance,

Annvald
 
#16
Annvald, one good book I know of is the Jazz Bass Book by John Goldsby. I'm sure other people can make better suggestions as it's been awhile since I've looked at books like that. I think the best thing to do is to transcribe the bass lines of the great players and see for yourself how they play through changes. A good book can help you understand their thought process and where the lines come from.

Good players to check out are Ray Brown, Paul Chambers, Ron Carter. Of course any of the bass players on the classic jazz albums are great to learn from.
 

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