Famous jazz songs to play on piano: Our top 7!

Are you learning to play the piano? How about starting with some easy jazz standards? Here are 7 famous jazz songs to play on the piano.

1. Take the A Train - Duke Ellington

This tune is hugely popular and considered a jazz standard, written by Billy Strayhorn in the 60s. It was inspired by the new train service in New York and became the signature piece of the Ellington Orchestra. It is mostly played in the key of C.

Famous songs like “Exactly Like You,” “The Girl From Ipanema,” and “So Danco Samba” have the same chord changes if you transpose each into the key of C.

Cm | Cm | Ab7 | Ab7 | Dm7b5 | G7alt | Cm | Cm

2. Isn’t She Lovely - Stevie Wonder

This is a great jazz cover and an easy song for beginners. Stevie Wonder uses a chord progression that is commonly found in jazz. He also incorporates many extensions in the harmonies, which enriches the song.

It is in the key of E major.

C# minor 7 | F#7 | B7sus4 | E major 6

3. Moanin' - Jazz Messengers

"Moanin'" was first recorded by Art Blakey's band, the Jazz Messengers, in 1958. It has been recorded numerous times and has become a jazz standard within the hard bop genre.

Check out this discussion by FutureLearn which breaks down the song and explains what makes this a jazz standard.

Bb | F minor | F major | Db | Ab | E | Gm | G

4. The Way You Look Tonight - Jerome Kern

This song was written in 1936 and became a classic jazz and pop vocal piece. It was made famous by Fred Astaire in the film Swing Time, which is another jazz standard. The song follows the classic A-A-B-A structure, meaning verse 1, verse 2, bridge, and verse 3.

5. Fly Me to the Moon - Bart Howard

Do we even have to convince you to try to play this song? We are sure you know this classic! Written by Bart Howard, it was made famous by singers like Frank Sinatra and Peggy Lee. Some versions have a bossa nova feel, while others have a swing tempo and an even 4/4 signature.

A | D7 | G7 | Cmaj7 | F | B7

6. Summertime from Porgy & Bess - George Gershwin

In the key of A minor, this composition by George Gershwin is usually performed with a distinctive medium swing or shuffle groove. Many of his compositions have become jazz standards, and numerous artists have created their own renditions.

7. My Funny Valentine

Cm | CmMaj7 | Cm7 | Cm6