Bye Bye Blackbird

• Courses
• Bye Bye Blackbird

Course Lessons

• Resources
• Form
• Oscar Peterson Changes
• Red Garland Changes
• Solo Strategies

Bye Bye Blackbird is a deceptively simple tune that every jazz musician should have under their fingers. First published in 1926, this standard has been recorded by hundreds of artists, but the chord changes and feel can vary wildly between versions.

In this course, I walk you through three important interpretations:

• Frank Sinatra's classic vocal version
• Oscar Peterson & Ben Webster's lush harmonic reharmonization
• Red Garland’s elegant, swinging approach

We’ll look at the form, compare chord substitutions, and explore how to build your own solo—starting from a simple 1–2–5 vamp that unlocks most of the tune.

I learned a lot putting this course together. Here's a playthrough where I solo over the form:

Course Objectives #

• Learn the form and harmonic structure of Bye Bye Blackbird
• Compare chord progressions across 3 major recordings
• Understand how different artists shape the same tune
• Use 1–2–5 vamps as a foundation for improvisation
• Develop listening skills by identifying changes by ear
• Play through the tune with confidence—comping and soloing

Whether you’re just learning the tune for the first time or deepening your understanding of it, this course gives you practical tools you can use right away—plus inspiration from some of the best players in jazz history.

— or —

Not ready to subscribe? Try our free intro course.