Is Giant Steps hard to learn?
“Giant Steps” is so challenging that Tommy Flanagan, the pianist on the original recording, could barely get through his solo before Coltrane took over. While this song is one of the most complicated in jazz, it’s also the perfect tool to learn a few basic music theory principles that drive Western harmony.
What is special about Giant Steps?
Recorded in 1959 and released in 1960, “Giant Steps” is iconic in part because it contains the first-issued recording of one of Coltrane’s most important compositions, also titled “Giant Steps.” It is also significant because it was Coltrane’s first LP to be released that was comprised solely of his own compositions.
Is Giant Steps modal jazz?
It was first recorded in 1959 and released on the 1960 album Giant Steps. The composition features a cyclic chord pattern that has come to be known as Coltrane changes….Giant Steps (composition)
| “Giant Steps” | |
|---|---|
| Composition by John Coltrane | |
| Recorded | May 1959 |
| Studio | Atlantic Studios, New York |
| Genre | Jazz, hard bop |
How many chords are in Giant Steps?
“Although ‘Giant Steps’ has 26 chords, there are only 10 key changes, and those 10 key changes involve just three keys – B, G and Eb. Using the dominant’s pentatonic scale of each key centre means you basically have to learn three pentatonic scales to improvise over the tune – F#, D and Bb.
Why is Giant Steps so difficult?
What makes “Giant Steps” difficult? The two main things are that it is usually played very fast (Coltrane’s original recording was north of 300 beats per minute) and that the chord progression constantly jumps from one key center to another, making it an obstacle course for the improviser.
What scale does Giant Steps use?
“Giant Steps”
| Chords | Scale | Change in scale |
|---|---|---|
| D7 → GMaj7 | G major | V-I |
| B♭7 → E♭Maj7 | E♭ major | V-I |
| Am7 → D7 → GMaj7 | G major | ii-V-I |
| B♭7 → E♭Maj7 | E♭ major | V-I |
How do you solo over Giant Steps?
So how can we tackle this behemoth of a tune? Coltrane himself approached it by playing a lot of notes in specific patterns….How to Improvise Over “Giant Steps”
- Use Patterns. Coltrane uses pattern ideas all over on his solo over Giant Steps.
- Look for common tones and slow down the pace of melodic material.
- Use Sequences.
How many key changes are in Giant Steps?
What key is Giant Steps in?
G major
E-flat majorB major
Giant Steps/Keys
Is Giant Steps A Contrafact?
The composition itself is a contrafact of Charlie Parker’s tune “Confirmation”, with harmonic alterations to the original chord changes used by Coltrane in a number of his composition—this harmonic modification is commonly known as Coltrane Changes—most notably used in Coltrane’s “Giant Steps”.
What kind of jazz is Giant Steps?
Post-bop
Giant Steps is the fifth studio album by jazz musician John Coltrane as leader….
| Giant Steps | |
|---|---|
| Studio | Atlantic Studios, New York |
| Genre | Post-bop, hard bop |
| Length | 37:03 |
| Label | Atlantic |