Free Jazz Standard Sheet Music Downloads

"Yardbird Suite" is a bebop standard composed in 1946 by alto saxophonist Charlie Parker, one of the most influential figures in jazz history. The title derives from Parker's famous nickname "Yardbird" (or simply "Bird"), and the piece was originally conceived with lyrics under the title "What Price Love?"

The composition follows a 32-bar AABA form in C major. Unlike many Parker originals that are based on pre-existing chord progressions, "Yardbird Suite" features entirely original changes. The A sections open on the tonic and incorporate a ii-V approach to the flat-third degree before circling back, while the bridge tonicizes the iii chord and cycles through a series of ii-V progressions. The melody is graceful and lyrical—more accessible than many bebop heads—making it a favorite among both students and seasoned improvisers.

The definitive recording was made on March 28, 1946, for Dial Records in Hollywood, featuring a septet with Miles Davis on trumpet, Lucky Thompson on tenor saxophone, and Dodo Marmarosa on piano. This master take was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2014, cementing its status as a cornerstone of the bebop canon.