![]() In fact, the complete six-page PDF lesson sheet and accompanying backing tracks are downloadable for PWJ members. The first example from today’s lesson sheet features a basic outline of “Giant Steps'” using root position 7th chords. Now that you’ve learned a bit about the background of Giant Steps and Coltrane changes, it’s time for you to play a simple version of Coltrane’s Giant Steps chords yourself! In the next section, you’ll learn how to play basic Coltrane changes on piano. ( Note: the term contrafactrefers to a musical composition based on the chord progression from a pre-existing work, but with a new melody.) ![]() ![]() In addition, his arrangements of the jazz standards “But Not for Me” and “Body and Soul” include reharmonization with chromatic 3rd relations. Other Coltrane tunes containing Coltrane changes include “26-2” (a contrafact on Charlie Parker’s “Confirmation”) and “Satellite” (a contrafact on “How High the Moon”). Other Tunes Featuring Coltrane ChangesĬoltrane was not the first composer to employ chromatic 3rd relations, however he developed the device most extensively. In the case of “Giant Steps ,” the tune begins on B▵7, so the first dominant 7th chord is omitted until the form repeats. Then, with each preceding dominant 7th chord, the progression becomes F♯7→B▵7→D7→G▵7→B♭7→E♭▵7. For, example the chord sequence B▵7→G▵7→E♭▵7 represents the first criteria. This progression, also called the Coltrane cycle or chromatic 3rd relations, involves three major 7th chords arranged in descending major 3rds, each preceded by its respective dominant chord. What are ‘Coltrane Changes’?Ĭoltrane changes refers to a specific jazz chord progression popularized by John Coltrane on his original tunes “Giant Steps” and “Countdown” from his 1960 album Giant Steps. Therefore, they quickly become known as Coltrane changes. Prior to “Giant Steps,” this type of harmonic movement was rather uncommon in jazz repertoire. ![]() Another way of stating this is that the three tonal centers of “Giant Steps”-B major, G major, and E♭ major-outline a descending augmented triad. They are arranged in descending major 3rd intervals. These three tonal centers are not random, however. “‘Giant Steps’ is kind of like you’re shifting from Spanish to Arabic to Japanese very quickly.” For example, “Giant Steps” packs 26 chord changes in 16 bars! What makes “Giant Steps” even more challenging is that its rapidly changing chords are drawn from three distantly-related keys-B major (5 ♯’s), G major (1 ♯) and E♭ major (3 ♭’s). By Contrast, Coltrane’s Giant Steps, which opens with his original tune by the same name, represents the summit of harmonic complexity and technical virtuosity. In fact, the album’s opening tune, “So What,” features just two chord changes-D Dorian and E♭ Dorian. The following video commentaries on these iconic albums provide a concise summary about the creative spirit behind each legendary record.ĭavis’ Kind of Blue is modal and minimalistic, representing the finest standard in jazz sensitivity. were back in the studio on May 5th recording the master takes for Coltrane’s Giant Steps.² Taken together, these albums represent two vastly different approaches to jazz composition. ![]() The first was Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue, which began recording on March 2nd. In early 1959, tenor saxophonist John Coltrane and bassist Paul Chambers played on two of the most icon jazz albums of all time. Today’s lesson provides jazz piano students the perfect point of entry for understanding, accompanying and improvising over “Giant Steps.” Intro to Giant Steps by John Coltrane
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