Giant Steps

"Giant Steps" is a jazz recording by John Coltrane, on tenor saxophone, which is the first track on the album of the same name and is 4 minutes and 49 seconds long. The composition is a milestone for jazz musicians' progress, given the difficulty of improvising its rapid progression of chord changes that progress through three keys (see Coltrane changes) shifted by major thirds, creating an augmented triad.

The saxophonist had previously used this technique on the LP Blue Train on the tunes Moment's Notice and Lazy Bird. Coltrane continued in this vein on a recording with Cannonball Adderley of the standard "Limehouse Blues," and on his original "Fifth House." He continued to use this approach on other tunes, such as "Countdown", based on the Miles Davis tune "Tune Up"; "26 2" based on Charlie Parker's "Confirmation"; and a reharmonization of the jazz standard "Body and Soul." Songs such as "Naima" and "Like Sonny" also show some harmonic similarity to "Giant Steps." Coltrane continued to employ similar concepts in his soloing during his more open and modal middle period. A Love Supreme features examples of lines based on "Giant Steps" cycles over modal vamps, to create a Polytonal effect (see modal jazz).

The progression continues to stimulate harmonic thinking in contemporary jazz. There are a number of different approaches to soloing on the song. While Coltrane favoured arpeggiation over the changes, other players have used different tricks and patterns to bring out the sound of the changes. The chord progression was later used by Freddie Hubbard as a basis for his composition "Dear John" (on Hubbard's 1991 album Bolivia). Covers have been recorded by such artists as Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Pat Metheny, Buddy Rich, Jaco Pastorius, Mike Stern, Greg Howe, Tommy Flanagan (who played on the original recording), McCoy Tyner, Kenny Werner, Kenny Garrett, Woody Herman, and Taylor Eigsti, Gary Bartz. The song was recorded by Chaka Khan in 1982 as part of the "Be Bop Medley" from her album "Chaka Khan".

John Coltrane was known for coming into the studio with unrehearsed songs - "Giant Steps" was no exception. On the original recording, Tommy Flanagan (piano) played a choppy start-stop solo where it sounds like he is struggling to improvise over Coltrane changes without adequate preparation. Flanagan would revisit Giant Steps on several recordings later in his career and mastered the progression. In some of the alternate takes, Cedar Walton is at the piano, declining to take a solo and also playing at a slower tempo than the takes with Flanagan.

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[Gonthor1000]

I feel bad for that ride cymbal

[locksh]

Words of wisdom from the master.

[dagobadank]

Yo he was definitely having a hard time, lack of preparation no doubt. He goes back to comping the chords in the middle of the solo. Its not unheard of for jazz leaders to show up to recording sessions with brand new music i.e. Miles Davis' "So What." Its part of the spontaneous effect.

[chapmancalvin]

I have searched and haven't found any quotes from any parties involved in the recording, so I'm still not convinced that Flanagan's accompaniment was not played as he would have intended. I have heard many pieces wherein the pianist plays a background you can "feel" more than you can hear to not overpower the lead. I have heard other renderings of Giant Steps by Flanagan and those offerings are hotter. Regardless of the circumstances, we can all agree about the genius of these masters. PEACE

[Acorparation]

Flanagan played it again years later and you can tell from comparing the two recordings that he wasn't prepared for the tune on this recording. He makes up for it the second time though

[GarethLewisMusic]

You can hear him struggling, the solo is staggered and I'm sure its not deliberate. I'm not criticising him because these are insanely hard changes and its Coltrane's fault for not giving him a chance to practice before the recording session. Do some research and you will see Coltrane was notorious for this

[livingonsolidair]

GTA II - V - I?

[Juan Bastidas]

craziest harmony ever

[Ashenafi Moor]

Excellent explanation!

[Isaac Grant]

Rockstar... Why do they pick the best music always?!

[jazzrockfromhell]

i hear the trane a comin'!

[jim woolridge]

takes me back to listening to this again and again in the early '60s--what a wonderful track. Coltrane a giant--no pun intended.