Giant Steps

Composer:	John Coltrane (click to list other tunes)
Submitted by:	David Luebbert
Posted:	4/10/08; 5:33:58 PM
Msg#:	307 (top msg in thread)
Prev/Next:	306/308
Reads:	29935

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Chord progression for John Coltrane's Giant Steps, the title composition of his album on Atlantic Records Giant Steps. Young jazz practioners have used this composition as a test of skill because the chords change very quickly, because it changes key often with key centers arranged a major third apart, which is an unusual harmonic device and because the tempo used by Coltrane was very fast.

Click here to see score of progression.

Here's a SongTrellis article that tries to explain what happens harmonically in the tune entitled Giant Steps (in minute detail).

The Jazz Soloist website has a page for Giant Steps that gives great advice on learning to play over these changes.

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Play "Giant Steps" - John Coltrane - from the album "Giant Steps" on the Rhapsody Music Service
Play "Giant Steps" - Phineas Newborn, Jr. - from the album "Solo Piano" on the Rhapsody Music Service

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