Easy tunes by ear

[Hexagon]

Any recommendations for tunes easy to learn by ear but could also help me develop my reading skills ? (alto)

Like really strong melody and nice jazz stuff

Thanks....

[crazydaisydoo]

Hi,

Here are some good ones to play by ear/or easy reading:

Summertime
This Masquerade
Autumn Leaves
Work Song
Blue Bossa
Take Five
Moanin'
Now's The Time
Lullaby of Birdland


They should keep you busy for a while. Three of these are great blues heads that will help you for years to come....

[silvin]

Body and Soul
Stormy Weather

[Laurel Moore]

Years ago I learnt piano and sax by reading music. This time around I've decided to learn everything by ear!! And what a challenge it is!!

I hated being so reliant on music. It being such an external thing. Music ended up feeling like a crutch and didn't look great reading music when performing IMO. I have this crazy dream that I want to know my sax so well, where just like a singing voice, I can find the note without difficulty (not sure how long that might take me??? :shock:)

I'm sure it must use a different side of the brain. Sometimes it feels less lazy too. My fingers have to work to memorize, as does my brain, as does my ear.

My point it: I think it is wonderful for developing the ear like this. So, my advice is start with any simple song you like, move on to more difficult, then hard. It's amazing how the brain can rise to the challenge. Each song does take much longer to learn like this, because there are no notes to help you find your way. I must be mad :D

[SearjeantSax]

get Wayne Shorter's album all or nothing at all, they are all nice simple heads which are great to learn by ear and Wayne's shorters are fantastic as well!

[Birdman]

For something really easy that I'm working on now, is Dave Koz's "At the Movies" album. Though it's on the smooth jazz side, it's a good album and the tunes should be familiar to you. If you don't find this appealing however I agree with crazydaisydoo's post. I've learned some of those tunes too and it's well worth it.

-Birdman

[eddierich]

Sonnymoon for Two (blues)
My Funny Valentine
Satin Doll
One For Daddy-O (minor blues)
My Little Suede Shoes

[saxjd]

My Romance

[Jazz Is All]

I Can't Get Started
Softly as in a Morning Sunrise
Secret Love
It Never Entered My Mind
Cry Me A River
Afro Blue
Over the Rainbow
Bye Bye Blackbird

[jrvinson45]

Over the Rainbow
Misty
Bridge Over Troubled Water

[jazzcat58]

footprints,
cherokee,
st thomas,
summertime,
cantaloop island,
watermelon man,

lots of others ,,these melodys are not to hard..

[prestini]

i agree with all of these except for take five. That song is not easy to just read.

[jaysne]

All of Me

[Jazz Is All]

Moon River
How are Things in Glocca Mora

Both very easy to play by ear

[Hexagon]

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

Should keep me busy for a while