10 Standard Jazz Songs Every Guitarist Should Know

If you’re learning jazz guitar, there’s one thing you’ll hear over and over: learn the standards.

They’re the backbone of every jam session, gig, and rehearsal room.

These classic tunes have been passed around for decades — and for good reason.

They teach you the language of jazz, help you build solid improvisation skills, and they’re just plain fun to play.

Whether you’re a beginner looking to dive into your first few standards, or you’ve been playing for a while and want to build up your jazz chops, these ten songs are essential.

Learn them well, and you’ll be able to sit in with confidence anywhere jazz is being played.

1. Autumn Leaves – Joseph Kosma

This one’s practically the jazz world’s welcome mat.

Autumn Leaves is a go-to tune for learning how jazz harmony works.

It’s loaded with those classic ii-V-I progressions that pop up in nearly every other tune you’ll learn later on.

The melody is smooth and familiar, and once you get the hang of the chords, it’s a perfect canvas for practising your soloing.

A must-know — and always a crowd-pleaser.

2. All the Things You Are – Jerome Kern

Here’s a song that’ll really get your brain ticking.

It moves through a handful of different key centres, so it’s great for learning how to navigate changes and think on your feet.

The melody is absolutely gorgeous, and there’s something satisfying about piecing together the puzzle of its harmony.

Once you’ve got it under your fingers, it opens the door to more complex tunes — and earns you major respect at any jam session.

3. Blue Bossa – Kenny Dorham

Latin groove meets classic jazz — what’s not to love?

Blue Bossa is often one of the first tunes people learn, and it sticks around for good reason.

It’s got a laid-back bossa nova feel, a straightforward chord progression, and just enough complexity to keep things interesting.

Perfect for working on phrasing, rhythm, and transitioning between Latin and swing feels. Plus, it’s just cool.

4. Misty – Erroll Garner

Slow, dreamy, and dripping with romance — Misty gives you room to breathe and express yourself.

It’s a great tune to practise chord melody playing and work on your touch and tone.

You’ll be voicing rich, jazzy chords while weaving in that unforgettable melody.

This one teaches you how to play with heart, not just technique.

5. So What – Miles Davis

Ready to strip it all back? So What is the ultimate crash course in modal jazz.

No crazy changes here — just two chords, and loads of space to experiment.

It’s a great way to break away from the usual chord-chasing and start thinking melodically.

The Dorian mode becomes your best friend, and you learn how to build solos with vibe and intention.

Simple on paper, but endlessly deep.

6. There Will Never Be Another You – Harry Warren

This tune is a jam session staple.

It’s upbeat, catchy, and packed with classic jazz moves — perfect for honing your bebop language and working on voice leading.

The changes take you through a few key shifts, but everything flows nicely, and once you know it, you’ll be able to hang in most real-world playing situations.

It’s fun, familiar, and a proper guitarist’s workout.

7. Take the ‘A’ Train – Billy Strayhorn

All aboard the swing train!

Take the ‘A’ Train is a feel-good tune that practically plays itself once you get in the groove.

The melody is iconic, and the chord progression is nice and accessible.

It’s a brilliant song for working on your rhythm playing — locking in with a walking bass or a drummer and making the music bounce.

Throw in a tasty chord solo, and you’re golden.

8. Stella by Starlight – Victor Young

This one’s a bit of a beast, but don’t be scared off.

Stella by Starlight is a rite of passage — the tune that separates the dabblers from the dedicated.

The harmony is rich and twisty, and learning to navigate it will level up your understanding of jazz in a big way.

It’s a great tune for experimenting with substitutions and really digging into the deeper side of jazz theory.

9. Mr. P.C. – John Coltrane

If you want to dive into the bluesier side of jazz, Mr. P.C. is where it’s at.

It’s a hard-driving minor blues that lets you go all-in with energy, phrasing, and raw expression.

You can keep things simple or stretch out with more adventurous lines — either way, it’s a blast to play.

Great for working on building intensity and keeping your solos grounded in the groove.

10. ’Round Midnight – Thelonious Monk

Moody, mysterious, and completely unforgettable.

’Round Midnight is one of those tunes that grabs your attention from the first note.

It’s harmonically dense and emotionally deep — perfect for late-night playing and introspective solo arrangements.

On guitar, it’s a chance to explore darker chord colours, subtle shifts in dynamics, and really stretch your expressive range.

Final Thoughts

These songs are more than just classics — they’re keys to understanding the heart of jazz.

Each one teaches you something different, whether it’s navigating tricky changes, developing your feel, or finding your own voice as a soloist.

Learn them well. Sing the melodies, know the chords, and practise playing them with others.

Before you know it, you’ll be having real musical conversations — not just running scales, but playing. And that’s what jazz is all about.

So grab your guitar, pick a tune, and jump in. The standards are waiting — and they never go out of style.