What are the chords in Giant Steps?

There are three of them in “Giant Steps”: B major, G major, and E-flat major. All the notes and chords in the tune come from these three keys.

How many chords change in Giant Steps?

There are 26 chord changes in the 16-bar theme of ‘Giant Steps’ which provides a formidable challenge for the improviser with its quickly changing key centres.

Did Coltrane ever play Giant Steps live?

Ironically, while “Giant Steps” has been recorded a countless number of times since the original version, Coltrane never recorded it again and does not seem to have ever played it with his own working group; at least no live version of Giat Steps from him has ever surfaced.

Why is Giant Steps so difficult?

It’s tough for two reasons: The chord progressions are played fast, and they’re in three keys. “Giant Steps” is so challenging that Tommy Flanagan, the pianist on the original recording, could barely get through his solo before Coltrane took over.

Why do Coltrane changes work?

We already discuss the importance of ‘structure’ in music in a previous lesson (on Cycle Patterns). Well, Coltrane Changes work well in a reharmonization because the chords move in a structured way (i.e. in fixed intervals).

Why is Giant Steps special?

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.

What made John Coltrane so great?

John William Coltrane is one of the most influential jazz musicians to ever play, and today remains even more relevant than during his life. A saxophonist, he was initially drawn to the popular jazz formats of bebop and hard bop, before eventually becoming one of the guiding forces behind free jazz.

What is the name of the most feared song in jazz?

John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” is the pinnacle of jazz improvisation.

Is jazz the hardest music?

I think Jazz is the hardest style, technically. The chords are completely different. It’s like learning guitar over again. Plus, to solo over it properly (meaning trying to avoid the blues scales, even if you can use them) is very difficult because it’s always changing keys.