Song List

This list is organized by the number of chords contained in each song. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but rather a good place to start with your beginning jazz improvisers.

2 Chords

  • Impressions - John Coltrane

  • Milestones - Miles Davis

  • So What - Miles Davis

3 Chords

  • Blues

    • Sonnymoon For Two (Bb) - Sonny Rollins

    • C Jam Blues (C) - Duke Ellington

    • Happy Go Lucky Local (“Night Train”) (F) - Duke Ellington

    • Now’s The Time (F) - Charlie Parker

    • Blue Monk (Bb) - Thelonious Monk

    • Bag’s Groove (F) - Milt Jackson

    • Mr. P.C. (C minor) - John Coltrane

  • Cantaloupe Island - Herbie Hancock

  • Little Sunflower - Freddie Hubbard

  • Watermelon Man - Herbie Hancock

4 Chords

  • Maiden Voyage - Herbie Hancock

  • St. Thomas - Sonny Rollins