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Beginner Jazz

Posted by little fish on 9/27/2026, 4:01 pm

what are some of the easiest, most fundamental, jazz charts that your kids loved to play?
We are just beginning, and I have a lot of young players.

Re: Beginner Jazz

Posted by Swingin’ for the Cheap Seats on 10/3/2026, 11:34 pm, in reply to "Beginner Jazz"

I LOVE the Alfred First Year charts. Great for beginners. For a Christmas concert I recommend these:

Hot Chocolate https://www.jwpepper.com/hot-chocolate-2702800/p

You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch https://www.jwpepper.com/youre-a-mean-one-mr-grinch-10028065/p

Doctor No-ël https://www.jwpepper.com/doctor-no-el-10303582/p

For a general jazz concert

Misty https://www.jwpepper.com/misty-10355610/p

Land of Make-Believe

Beantown Blues Parade https://www.jwpepper.com/beantown-blues-parade-10867418/p

Caracas https://www.jwpepper.com/caracas-10867416/p

Pollo Rojo https://www.jwpepper.com/pollo-rojo-10513873/p

Cuban Chant https://www.jwpepper.com/cubano-chant-10068306/p

I could go on for a long time, but the point is they’re great.

Also, check the Hal Leonard Easy Jazz collection books.i highly recommend you also get the Essential Elements Standards and Blues books. They’re “baby’s first lead sheet” books, and the mileage you can get out of them in teaching improv is priceless.