Where to Find Jazz Standard Sheet Music
Contents
Looking for some quality jazz standard sheet music? Check out our top picks for where to find the best charts and arrangements.
Introduction
Jazz standards are musical compositions that are widely known, performed and recorded by jazz artists as part of their repertoire. There is no definitive list of jazz standards, and the list of songs that are considered to be standards changes over time. Songs included in major fake book publications and jazz reference works offer a rough consensus of the most commonly played and recorded jazz standards. However, some of these songs are also considered to be part of the Great American Songbook canon.
One useful criterion for identifying a jazz standard is whether a song has been recorded by multiple artists over a long period of time. If multiple performers haverecorded a tune, particularly if it was recorded during different periods in the development of jazz, it is very likely that the tune is a standard. Similarly, if many different jazz musicians perform a tune during their careers, chances are good that it has become a standard. Some tunes written by well-known Jazz composers such as Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk or Jelly Roll Morton were not popularized until after their deaths and thus may not have been widely recorded or performed during their lifetimes.
The process by which a song becomes a standard is similar to the process by which any piece of popular music becomes widely known and accepted. In general, there are three stages in the evolution of Jazz standards:
The first stage is when a tune is originally composed and becomes part of the repertoire of one or more performing artists;
The second stage occurs when other artists begin to perform the tune; finally
The third stage happens when the tune becomes sufficiently well-known that it is often recorded by many different artists over an extended period of time
The Best Places to Find Jazz Standard Sheet Music
If you’re a fan of jazz music, you might be wondering where to find jazz standard sheet music. The good news is that there are plenty of places to find it. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best places to find jazz standard sheet music.
The Real Book
For jazz lovers, The Real Book is the Holy Grail. This massive tome contains almost every standard you could ever hope to play, making it an invaluable resource for both students and professionals. The only downside is that it can be tough to find a copy – luckily, we’ve got you covered.
The Real Book is available from a variety of sources, both online and offline. For the best selection and easiest shopping experience, we recommend Amazon. You can also find copies at your local music store, or order one directly from the publisher, Hal Leonard.
Once you’ve got your hands on a copy of The Real Book, make sure to browse through the contents before diving in. With over 600 songs to choose from, it can be overwhelming – but that’s half the fun!
Jamey Aebersold Play-A-Longs
If you’re looking for jazz standard sheet music, the best place to start is with Jamey Aebersold Play-A-Longs. These books come with a CD of Aebersold playing the lead melody on each tune, and there are multiple versions available with different instruments playing the melody. The books also include chord changes and annotations for each tune.
Hal Leonard
One of the best places to find jazz standard sheet music is at Hal Leonard. They have a wide selection of both classic and contemporary pieces, and their prices are very reasonable. You can also find a lot of helpful information on their website, including a list of recommended books and recordings.
Sher Music
Sher Music is a good place to find jazz standard sheet music. They have a wide selection of music, and the staff is very knowledgeable. You can also find a lot of information on their website about different jazz standards, and they offer discounts for buying in bulk.
Conclusion
Jazz standards are a core part of the jazz repertoire and learning them is essential for any aspiring jazz musician. With that in mind, where can you find jazz standard sheet music?
There are a few different options available to you. One is to purchase a fake book, which is a compilation of jazz standards with the melody line and chord changes. Fake books can be a great resource, but they can be pricey.
Another option is to search for individual jazz standard sheet music online. There are a number of websites that offer free or paid sheet music for jazz standards. Paid options usually offer higher quality or more comprehensive material, but free options can be a great way to get started.
Finally, you can check out your local library or music store. Many libraries have a good selection of jazz standard sheet music, and music stores may also carry some titles.
