07/13/2026
One thing that often gets overlooked in jazz education is how tunes actually begin and end.
Many of us spend countless hours learning melodies, chord changes, and solo transcriptions, but the classic intros and endings from legendary recordings are just as much a part of the language! They are what help make a performance sound idiomatic and connected to the tradition.
Check out this page showing Red Garland's iconic intro to "Bye Bye Blackbird" from the classic Miles Davis recording. It's taken from Tony Corman's The Real Intros and Endings Book, which collects over 100 intros and endings from many classic jazz songs and standards. This is a fantastic resource for anyone who wants to move beyond simply counting off a tune and start learning the authentic ways these songs have been performed by the masters.
Sher Music has also just launched a beautifully redesigned, much easier-to-navigate website, making it simpler than ever to browse our enormous catalog of jazz education books!
What are some of your favorite jazz intros or endings that you've learned from classic recordings?
Learn more: https://www.shermusic.com/products/the-real-intros-and-endings-book
