Giant Steps

[Jazzinthecountry]

Thanks, this has really helped my lefthand approach to this song. Very nice indeed.

[Lot2learn]

@Jazzinthecountry Glad it helped.

[trulyfeproject]

YESSAH!!!! You are SMASHIN sir!!!!!

[Lot2learn]

@trulyfeproject I appreciate your comment, thanks.

[NytRoTheProducer]

damn Sick!!!

[mrjrocabc]

THats Funny HOw EveryBody PLaying Giants Steps, BUt NO One Is Willing to Break The Chords Down!!!! And By The way NIce PLaying! :)

[StonerMcWeedSmoke]

those hands move faster than I can think!

[handdancin]

killing dude.

[bhebrews1214]

my main man!

[Lot2learn]

@bhebrews1214 I appreciate your comment.

[mrfingazgotbeats]

great job. it's very hard at that tempo

[Lot2learn]

@mrfingazgotbeats Thanks for your comment. I like your TV themes on your channel. ;-)

[CHAPSTER326]

I am digging your Ensoniq TS-12.

[ehousnproductions80]

ok please keep me posted u are amazing

[ehousnproductions80]

do u have any dvd tutorial with runs or just how to play jazz i love your playing?

[Lot2learn]

@ehousnproductions80 I am in the process of making a jazz piano instructional DVD that will also contain a breakdown of Giant Steps. Stay tuned to my channel for the announcement and availability.

[goldenalarm]

Beast! I linked here from your Moment's Notice video. This is equally, if not more incredible

[mihmus]

oh... it's probably the most difficult jazz standard in a world))

play it - is a affair of honour for me! :)

but... it so hard))) practice, practice and practice!)

[Gianniguit]

Bravo

[cookleon]

Nice tag on the end there!

[Lot2learn]

@cookleon Thanks for the comment.

[JetForceF22]

How do you break down your solo ideas for this song? I know its really in only 3 keys but I still find this song difficult to play. Thanks.

[Lot2learn]

@JetForceF22 I am working on a DVD that will include a section on how to play on this tune - stay-tuned ;-).

[JetForceF22]

Okay, well all I would need is a basic breakdown of your thought process, I probably could deduct the rest. I am a jazz pianist. Thanks

[InBy9OutBy5]

Yikes !

[robertojimenez204]

Yeah tha' man!!

[handdancin]

dude you hang plenty good on this...just a couple times i hear the tempo getting to you. Still, some burning stuff!

[Lot2learn]

Thanks for your comment.

[talrexia]

that was great. I was checking out your fingering and it was flawless. DId you take Hanon exercise? I wish I could play that fast.

[Lot2learn]

Thanks for your comment. No, I did not study classical or Hanon.

[bhebrews1214]

great job on the giant steps mon!!!

[jeff2sabbag]

I have a old ensoniq TS12 , and I know how dificult is to play this key because the mecanics and sensitive is very poor !!!

But when you play the old TS12 looks like a big Steinway !!!

Congrats man !!! I love the frases & swinging !!

Peace & Jazz ,tks for shearing

Big hug from Brazil

Jeff

[Lot2learn]

Thanks Jeff! Yes, that old TS-12 action is not very good. ;-)

[enzo321]

that phrase from 1:05 to 1:10 is that chromatic? its so fast i cant tell .thx thx

[Lot2learn]

The first part of the phrase are notes 1,2,4,5 of a major scale starting in the key of D flat to D to G then B flat.

[killakeyz81]

Hey can U make this video again with the annotations so I can get more ideas for the solo Thanks

[invinpsible13]

Awesome man, I love Coltrane's version also on youtube. When you get a chance checkout Cornelius Spencer playing Giant Steps on Organ.

[enzo321]

1:05 to 1:10 EPIC!

[incrediblec48]

wat key u in?

[enzo321]

he's in one key for a second, and then in another in the next lol ^^

[JazzyTea]

You´re killing man! This is absolutely awwsome :)

[Lot2learn]

I appreciate your comment.

[Silver46]

hey i got the same ensoniq ts-12...hows it reatin you?

[Modes9]

This is the first time I've heard you struggle in one. Honestly, I like to hear a little scuffling at least once in a while. If someone plays a mechanical motivic solo that's perfect from start to finish, I begin to suspect that most of it was "worked-out" in advance. I mean, those old Andrew Hill records are rough, but still well worth hearing.

[Lot2learn]

Thanks for the comment Eric. Yeah, this one was taken at a bit of a fast pace for me and I didn't lay down my lines as cleanly as I could hear them in my head. ;-)

[Alffovinni]

Yes!! Great Job! This Is And Excellent Job! 5 Stars! Alex Bugnon Plays This As Well

[pianoboy01]

how to figure out chords i need help...

[copedogg888]

Find the common tones between chords. There are a ton. That'll really boost your production of ideas.

[ygrekelpm69]

Very Good

[behringerer]

icredible....congratulations

[Dadee3]

Fantastic!! I'm still working on my solo technique.. I know my scales, but it takes awhile to develope your hand into soloing and making it have "a mind of it's own".

[pistok2]

i completely understand that the flow is the hardest part for me

[pianoboy01]

what kind of keyboard is that? i am lookin for a new keyboard with lots of sound and good quality any suggestions?? please reply!!

[Lot2learn]

Ensoniq TS-12 keyboard.

[rayjohnson83]

YES SIR MAN!!!!!

This is tight man....can we get a breakdown PLEASE...LOL!!!!!!!

[Modes9]

If you think this is "kinda sloppy", you should here the Andrew Hill records from the 60's. The playing is brilliant, but not exactly polished. Which brings me to my next point. If I don't hear mistakes, I assume the person isn't really improvising. Let's be honest...if a performance is too clean, it just means the performer worked out tons of "licks" ahead of time. It's much more fun to hear someone go for it even if the execution isn't spot-on once in a while.

[Lot2learn]

Thanks Modes9 for the nice comment, it is much appreciated, and made me chuckle. ;-)

[shakabrahtastic]

your trippin leave andrew hill out of this

[Vitamine101]

Good stuff! There's a dash of Wynton Kelly here and there put to good use.

[EnryOnTheKeys]

Man you are very nice! I also like your McCoy's piano style tutorial.

Jazzy!

[renixe]

incredible playing.

[bjedwin]

what key is that

[knotty75]

in Eb

[niels1111]

kinda sloppy

[Politicallyricist]

This Lot2learn dude is playing the REAL jazz idiom unlike the linear solos in your vids. Whats that??

[ethanjhayward]

since when is pointing out that a solo is "kinda sloppy" enough to warrant direct attacks on the speaker's talent? in fact, since when is "kinda sloppy" even an insult?

[MyMelancholyDodo]

that's the thing about this song, it's meant to be played fast! Coltrane did a few takes of this song and the 'slowered' down version loses its frenzied edge. I love this performance

[grayconv]

haha wow thats fun!

sounds great, i love watching your fingers fly!

[Vitamine101]

The tempo works. Good stuff!

[mrfingazgotbeats]

Now that how your suppose to play that. Damn man great job. Yescould you please break that down. I will pay. That's the level I want to be @.

[adriajerusha]

WOW!

[michelcamilo911]

Wow u play awesome lot2learn, i wish to play like u. u should make a video teaching how to play the 1.ionian, 2dorian, mode scales etc. please!!! hehe. jazz forever!

[vanderbiltsax]

Very nice use of chromaticism in your playing! I realize that this is incredibly fast, would it be possible for you to post another vid with some more of that harmonic stuff I hear a little bit throughout your solo? Again it is obvious that you are quite an experienced player. Excellent!

[doodovf]

every time i hear this song played. i think of how much of a genius and incredible musician Coltrane was. but damn you sound good too.

[musicinnovator]

awesome!! all i can ask is...how???

[tribukaribe]

Kudos.. excellent solo.....now........just what is it your playin there cause i just cant move through those changes fast enough care to break it down for us earthlings...

[ButterknifeBrigade]

Oh my lord.I thought only McCoy Tyner could cover that on piano. Very well done!

[PianoZone]

make a tutorial !

[giovanidiboothsedge]

SOOO INCREDIBLE!!! ... any less than 5 stars here would be insane! ... outstanding!

[cbmuzik]

I am SO chopping off your hands and taking them as mine! you killed that improvisation!!! I love it!

[Lot2learn]

Ha, Ha - you are too funny!

Thanks for the comment.

L2L

[regginsc03]

If you haven't already, look into "The Jazz Theory Book" or "The Jazz Piano Book" both by Mark Levine. It breaks down right handed solos for this and other songs nicely. P.S. Way to GO Lot2learn!!!

[Lot2learn]

Thanks. Yes those are very good books.

[spritefan2]

Wow very nice mind telling me how you get your camera up there? xD

[Lot2learn]

The camera is on a tripod set-up in front of the piano on a table. I flip the video in an editing program.

[monwise961]

hey dude, amazing skill.

keep up the good work.

besides, let me know when you have a show, so i can enjoy it live

[TAPDADA]

mate that is brilliant. i'm a keys player. but thats just inspiring, way out my league.

[DTGuitarX]

How did you work on changing chords so fast?

You have great feel, by the way.

[Lot2learn]

Thanks for your comment. To answer your question, keep playing the song over and over starting at a slow tempo and increasing little by little.

[florbo73]

Wow!!! you're very great!

[ncodrington]

jeeeeeeeeeeezee U.R.FAST!

[RL82]

Absolutely brilliant... I can't even imagine having that much skill and control.

[Lot2learn]

Thanks much for your kind comment.

[fystasjoppheng]

You are a true artist and my new inspiration!

[Lot2learn]

Thanks for the nice comment Kjell. I enjoy your playing also.

[dipa84]

better than Tommy Flanagan! :)

(it's a joke, tommy is a master)

[SolBlade00]

No problem. I've actually just recently started trying to learn Coltrane's Giant Steps solo on my tenor sax. Ridiculously hard, though. I'm going to college next year, so hopefully I can learn more jazz and work on my skills.

How long have you been playing?

[Lot2learn]

About 30 years off and on. Good luck with school.

[SolBlade00]

You, my friend, can play the shit out of a keyboard!

[joebandana]

nice man now do one of countdown or satellite haha! the full matrix..

[itsartolie]

You nailed the changes to a "T", very impressive, my compliments.

P.S. I think a banner "NOW, DO NOT TRY THIS @ HOME" is in order, lol.

[Lot2learn]

Ha, Ha! Funny! I was thinking more along the lines of: "Keep away from pets and small children". Thanks for the nice compliment from someone with obvious impeccable jazz taste ;-). Keep posting those great vids of yours!

[serengetibob]

This tune has bedevilled me for years. What line are you thinking on? Just running through the chords is hokey; I could never find the line. I admire anyone who finds his or her way through this tune. Trane was a genius; he devised this exercise to challenge himself. Little did he know that he was going to drive a lot of would-be piano players crazy in the process. You did a great job man. Please post any hints on how to navigate the improv.

[davebeeboss]

Great stuff. I know how hard it is to play this tune at that tempo, and you do it very well, seemingly unfazed by the difficult changes. Nice one

[ChadMStevenson]

HAHA! crazy stuff man... you know Coltrane wrote this song as a technical exercise?

[jazzmk]

It's dirty and shouldn't be allowed....being melodic at that tempo that is....fantastic job!

[jazzmk]

Great, lol, now we all have to upload Giant Steps...i won't do it, that was awesome! Nice lines, solid technique and above all, very musical! First class stuff!

[7notemode]

Listned again. Still blows my mind!

[Lot2learn]

Still feels like a cat in a free fall hoping to land on feet.

[entaggy]

Whoa !!!  you know what! you really deserve "The Most Generous" Youtube award for sharing this ,..6stars

[Lot2learn]

Thanks for the compliment.

[entaggy]

No,. thank you for the Complement to my playing,. i can now play this tune, well,. eventually :-D

[PianistaItaliano]

The phrases of this tune are in reality really from giant, scales of a complex harmony with a time ( I think but am not sure) of approximately 280 bpm....Not an easy feat... but who dont test does not know. however, for me your temptation and some moments in this tune are 5 stars valid.

[Lot2learn]

For me, Giant Steps is different from songs which require sensitivity and express and evoke emotions (other than the feeling of frantically keeping up with the changes!) I try to put feeling into my playing of this, but for me Giant Steps is played a bit more from the brain than from the heart, which is OK, except for me this is not as meaningful. Sometimes a person can play many notes but not say as much as a person who plays only a few notes. I'm glad you enjoyed my mental gymnastics!

[PianistaItaliano]

Ok, am completely in agreement with you, (no sensitivity no emotions)

let's say better Giant Steps is not only a mental gymnastics but in the same time also a difficult fingering technique exercises.

[7notemode]

OK McCoy, you got my attention! You actually play melodies in your improvisations! At this velocity and with these chord changes, that is amazing. You have played prettier in other videos, but this is your most impressive.

[Lot2learn]

Thanks. Playing this reminds me of a cat falling from a precarious perch, at an excessive height - and landing on its feet.