Giant Steps is actually very simple (yes, really)

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Giant Steps is actually very simple! You might not think so (yet), but trust me - there are only a few key things to know to be able to play creative and melodic solos over this song.

00:00 - Intro
01:21 - Practice S L O W L Y
02:54 - Identify 2-5-1s
05:40 - The "other" measures
07:49 - 1-b7-3 Guide tone line
9:10 - LET'S PLAY TOGETHER!
12:11 - Adding a ii before the V (creating 2-5-1s)
16:15 - LET'S PLAY TOGETHER!
17:47 - Final thoughts and action steps
19:31 - Teaser :)

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[bna]

Was in the presence of Yusef Lateef when someone jokingly alluded to the idea that Giant Steps is "easy." With a stern look, he turned to the dude and said "It took Brother John (Coltrane) 2 years of practice before he performed that in public." Totally silenced the laughs in the room.

[bronxkies]

I haphazardly studied jazz in undergrad. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, I just knew I was into jazz. I failed jazz comp but my professor was quite kind and patient with me.

While many of my classmates were decent, even nice folks, there was no getting through jazz courses without putting up with a palpable air of pretension. It was soul crushing sometimes.

I say all of this to say, it’s nice to find a jazz YouTube channel that’s not drenched with jazz, “if you know you know”, religiosity. You’re not talking down to the audience and actively making jazz more digestible accessible.

Thank you!

[billboy]

Ok Dude
You're a monster teacher.
I've played this for year's before you were born, it's a lifetime study.
I love your tone on your horn.
I really appreciate you.
God bless

[Hump]

This is actually insane. I never thought I had a chance at improvising over giant steps

[Elluvis]

I love the slowed down part! So nicely composed over the chords.

[michaelhenshaw]

Been practicing this tune 30 min a day for the last 13 years

[HealingWord_Psalm-]

This approach is helpful for all tunes. Solid gold.

[rustydomino]

Holy shit Giant Steps actually sounds beautiful as a ballad. 🤯🤯🤯

[nilesloughlin]

I really appreciate how you contextualize the function of chord changes here, instead of just looking at each chord in relation to a key signature.

I sometimes see transcriptions of solos written out with a very complex analysis of how the notes exist in the moment they were played to the chords they were played over, instead of how the notes and lines may have been conceived as melodic ideas in relation to the overall harmonic or modal structure of the chord progressions and scales that inform them.

To me, this really simplifies things like progressions in 3rds (and consequently, how to apply ideas like tritone substitutions to changes and progressions) in a practical way. Thanks for sharing!

[StringsTheory]

Thank you for the lesson Dave. The guide tones are helpful.

[jabulaniharvey]

once it is built it can be deconstructed... that said, the really hard part was composing (and performing) this song from scratch....John Coltrane's explorations are fascinating

[politicachata]

Finally and brilliantly explained to every level public!!! Masterpiece Class!!

[TrevorWesleyOfficial]

Bro you sound SWEET on the sax my man. It's rare to find horn players that can play in that way.

[Tattoed_soul]

Thank you so much, great lesson. Subscribed.

[PusetsoJackTsatsimpe]

Thanks for simplifying This song.i like this

[ervinkovacs]

Thank you Dave! It's a great lesson.Thank you :)

[hrossaman]

I totally love this simplification teaching style

[TrebleVT]

Excited for the workshop! Your videos actually make me feel like I’m learning

[EstebanAguilarSax]

Awesome video!! Love the explanation and makes it way simpler.

[MFAN]

Bro, this is phenomenal! I am so glad you will be doing tons of these videos for everybody. This is such invaluable information that will take so many players to the next