Jazz music is a genre that has stood the test of time, captivating audiences for over a century. At the heart of this musical style are the jazz standards, a collection of timeless songs that every jazz musician should know. These standards are the foundation of jazz and and an essential part to your musical development.

Because there are literally thousands of standards, it begs the question “which ones should I start learning first?” and there could be a thousand different answers! I have come across multiple lists of standards recommended for beginners, and I tend to disagree with some of the selection.

Let’s delve into the jazz standards I personally recommend for beginners, those I don’t recommend, and the reasons behind these selections.