How to approach jazz standards

[indespair]

I have a few standards that I want to learn but I don't how I should approach them. For instance, right now I want to learn to play Autumn Leaves, Bohemia After Dark and Canteloupe Island(I have learned the main part for this one). What should I do? Is there sheet music for piano out there that I can use? Should I get a book? Should I attempt learning it all by ear? I seriously need some directions. Thanks in advance.

[dima_76557]

How to approach jazz standards

jazzadvice.com has lots of useful info in this respect, for example:
How to Learn Jazz Standards with the Piano

In short:

1) Learn the Melody
2) Learn the Bass Line
3) Identify Chord Quality/progression
(Example provided)

Try to get hold of the "Real Book". They give the melody and the chords. For example, for Autumn leaves, it looks like this.

You can also find good informative clips on YouTube about jazz voicing, etc.

[j_menz]

Or, you could just get some of the, often quite good, fully scored arrangements available.

It depends on what you want to do in the longer run, really.  If you just want to have a few up your sleeve, theat's the easiest way. If you want to do a lot of it, or get further into jazz, Dima's is the way to go.

[indespair]

Thanks. "Dima's the way to go."