The First 10 Standards
to Learn by Ear

Ten tunes, and the record to learn each one from.

There Will Never Be Another YouHarry Warren

Chet Baker—Chet Baker Sings1954

The gentlest head on the list — sung plainly, at a tempo you can actually follow.

NardisMiles Davis

Joe Henderson Sextet—The Kicker1967

A Miles tune Miles never really recorded. Kenny Barron and Ron Carter in the rhythm section.

All of MeGerald Marks

Frank Sinatra—Swing Easy!1954

A Nelson Riddle arrangement. The melody sung straight and swung — easy to lift off the record.

CeoraLee Morgan

Lee Morgan—Cornbread1965

The original recording, and still the one. A bossa that sits and breathes.

Recorda MeJoe Henderson

Joe Henderson—Page One1963

The composer’s own first recording — the tune as it was meant to sound.

What Is This Thing Called LoveCole Porter

Ella Fitzgerald—Sings the Cole Porter Song Book1956

Ella takes it as a hard-driving swinger, and states the melody clean before she leaves it.

Take the A TrainBilly Strayhorn

Duke Ellington—The Blanton–Webster Band1941

Ray Nance’s solo became part of the tune — later trumpeters played it note for note.

Blues for AliceCharlie Parker

Charlie Parker—Bird: The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve1951

The original. This is the tune that defines what players mean by “Bird blues.”

Have You Met Miss JonesRichard Rodgers

Stan Getz—Quintets: The Clef & Norgran Studio Albums1953

Listen for the bridge — it moves in thirds, two decades before Giant Steps.

A Night in TunisiaDizzy Gillespie

Charlie Parker—“Bird” Symbols1946

The 1946 Dial session — Bird’s alto break here is one of the most famous moments in jazz.

Run the pillars — Theory · Ear Training · Listening

The First 10 Standardsto Learn by Ear