Giant Steps

Definition

Giant Steps is a landmark jazz composition by John Coltrane, first released in 1960 on the album of the same name. The piece is notable for its complex chord changes and unique harmonic structure, which challenged traditional jazz improvisation techniques and became a hallmark of modern jazz. Its influence can be seen in the works of many hard bop musicians who followed Coltrane's innovative approach to harmony and improvisation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. 'Giant Steps' features a groundbreaking chord progression that moves through three key centers: B major, G major, and E flat major, making it difficult for musicians to improvise over effectively.
2. The composition showcases John Coltrane's virtuosic saxophone playing, highlighting his ability to navigate complex harmonic structures with fluidity and creativity.
3. 'Giant Steps' has become a standard in the jazz repertoire, with many musicians covering it and using it as a benchmark for improvisational skills.
4. The tune's unique structure has led to the development of exercises and studies aimed at helping jazz musicians improve their improvisational techniques over challenging chord changes.
5. Coltrane's work on 'Giant Steps' solidified his reputation as a leading figure in jazz innovation and influenced countless musicians across various genres beyond hard bop.

Review Questions

• How did John Coltrane's 'Giant Steps' influence the improvisational techniques of hard bop musicians?
  • 'Giant Steps' introduced a new level of harmonic complexity that challenged hard bop musicians to expand their improvisational skills. The unique chord progression required players to think critically about their note choices and explore innovative approaches to melody over unfamiliar changes. This push for creativity allowed musicians within the hard bop movement to break away from conventional structures and develop their own unique styles.
• Discuss the significance of Coltrane Changes in the context of 'Giant Steps' and its impact on modern jazz.
  • The Coltrane Changes used in 'Giant Steps' are significant because they revolutionized how musicians approached harmony in jazz. By utilizing a cycle of major thirds, the composition creates unexpected shifts in key centers that challenge traditional jazz improvisation. This complexity paved the way for modern jazz, encouraging musicians to experiment with advanced harmonic concepts, thus changing the landscape of jazz music.
• Evaluate how 'Giant Steps' reflects the broader trends in jazz during the late 1950s and early 1960s, particularly regarding innovation and experimentation.
  • 'Giant Steps' embodies the broader trends of innovation and experimentation that characterized jazz during this transformative period. As artists began to move away from standard forms and embraced more complex harmonic structures, Coltrane's work exemplified this shift. The piece not only pushed the boundaries of what was possible within hard bop but also inspired future generations of musicians to challenge norms, leading to the evolution of various styles such as modal jazz and free jazz. This emphasis on experimentation during this era reshaped the direction of jazz as an art form.

Related terms

Coltrane Changes: A term used to describe the specific chord progression used in 'Giant Steps,' which features major thirds and augmented sixths, creating a cycle of distant key centers.

Modal Jazz: A style of jazz that emphasizes improvisation based on modal scales rather than traditional chord progressions, allowing for greater freedom in expression.

Hard Bop: A subgenre of jazz that emerged in the mid-1950s, characterized by its incorporation of blues, gospel, and R&B influences, along with a strong focus on improvisation and rhythm.