Basic 30s-40s tunes

BASIC 30S-40S TUNES (In Progress)

This is a practical selection of tunes most likely to be played by bands you might want play with. It is one man's list, but based on a sense of practicality and years of experience. Many key Big Band tunes--eg the most popular Glenn Miller hits--are difficult because they are basically blues with simple melodies, expanded with fancy arrangements, and audiences often recognize parts of the arrangement. Often you can get away with playing the melody, soloing, playing the melody again; but on some you have to learn the key parts, such as the intro and ending to "In the mood". Many classics are not played as often as they might solely because so many musicians who "play some swing" don't know them, and they need to be played with written arrangements. If you know them, you will have a lot better chance of being booked, because band leaders really do want to play them. Learn the numbered tunes first; the rest are suggested add-ons to enrich your repertoire. When you've gotten this list down, the 30s-40s Fake Book or Codpiece contents lists will lead you further. Some tunes on the Basic Dixieland Tunes list, especially the pop tunes such as "Avalon" and "Sweet Georgia Brown", are also basic. The list contains many slow tunes; some, such as "I can't get started", are big band classics played to evoke the era; most of the rest have become "standards" likely to be played on any type of gig. Some have become associated with Sinatra, so they are often requested.

Ain't misbehavin' Eb
All of me C
All the things you are Ab
Almost like being in love Bb
Amapola Bb
April in Paris (Basie version) C
As time goes by Eb
At last C
Avalon F
Begin the beguine (Artie Shaw) C
Blue moon Eb
Blue skies Dm
Body and soul Db

C jam blues C
Caravan Ab
Chattanooga choo choo C
Cheek to cheek C
Choo choo ch'boogie F
Christopher Columbus F
Dancing in the dark Eb
Deep purple F
Do nothing till you hear from me F
Don't be that way Eb
Don't get around much anymore C
Dream Bb
Dream a little dream of me G

Easy to love C
Elmer's tune C
Embraceable you G
Foggy day (In London Town) F
Fools rush in C
Exactly like you Bb
Frenesi (swing, Rhumba) Ab
Goodnight sweetheart Bb
Green eyes Eb
Harbor lights Eb
How high the moon G

I can't get started C
I don't know why Bb
I get a kick out of you Eb
I got it bad and that ain't good G
I got rhythm Bb
I would do anything for you Eb
I let a song go out of my heart C
I'll see you in my dreams F
I'm getting sentimental over you F
I'm gonna sit right down and write myself a letter Bb
In the mood Ab
Isle of Capri F
Isn't it romantic Eb
Imagination Eb

It don't mean a thing if it ain't got Bb
It's been a long long time F
It's the talk of the town F

Little brown jug C
Love is here to stay F
Man I love C
Manhattan F
Marie F
Memories of you Eb
Moonglow F
Moonlight in Vermont Eb
Moonlight serenade F
My funny valentine Eb
Nearness of you F
Nice work if you can get it F
Nine-twenty special Bb

Oh Lady be good F
On the sunny side of the street C
On a slow boat to China Bb
On the Alamo Eb
Once in a while Eb
One o'clock jump C
Opus one G
Out of nowhere G
Pennies from heaven C
Pennsylvaina 6-5000 Ab
Penthouse serenade Bb
Perdido C

Rose room F
Rosetta F
Route 66 F
Satin doll C
Sentimental journey C
Sing, sing, sing Dm
Somebody loves me F
Someone to watch over me Eb
Star dust C
Stars fell on Alabama C
Stormy weather Ab
String of pearls C, Ab
Summertime Am
Swonderful Eb

Take the A-Train C
Tangerine G
There will never be another you Bb
These foolish things Eb
Tuxedo Junction Bb
Very thought of you Ab
Way you look tonight Eb
What's new C
Where or when Eb

Woodchopper's ball C
You do something to me C
You made me love you C
*********************************   Secondary Priority Tunes

And the angels sing Bb
Bei mir bist du shoen Dm
Boogie woogie bugle boy F
C'est si bon Bb
Cherokee Bb
Comes love Bb
Flat foot floogie Ab
Flying home Ab
Glory of love G
Goody goody C
I've got my love to keep me warm Eb
I've heard that song before C
Jersey bounce C
Let's dance C
Londonderry aire (Danny boy)F
Lulu's back in town F
Minnie the moocher G
September in the rain Eb
Smoke gets in your eyes Eb
Softly as in a morning sunrise Eb
Solitude Eb
This love of mine C
What is this thing called love C

Some tunes very popular with swing jazz musicians during the 30s-40s

If I had rhythm in my nursery rhymes
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Most of the Benny Goodman Trio-Quartet tunes, and many of the Billie Holiday-Teddy Wilson tunes are swing jazz standards.

BASIC 30S-40S TUNES (In Progress)

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