“Giant Steps” is John Coltrane’s 1959 composition and the title track of his landmark 1960 album. It’s famous, and a little feared, because its chord progression moves through three key centers a major third apart at a blistering tempo. Pianist Tommy Flanagan’s hesitant solo on the original recording is proof that even great players found it tough on first sight.
The form is 16 bars. The three tonal centers are B major, G major and Eb major, which divide the octave into equal major thirds. The first half moves quickly between them with dominant chords connecting each one (Bmaj7, D7, Gmaj7, Bb7, Ebmaj7), while the second half uses ii-V-Is into each key (Fm7, Bb7, Ebmaj7, Am7, D7, Gmaj7, and so on). These “Coltrane changes” show up again in his reharmonizations of standards like “Countdown” and “26-2.”
The classic improvisation approach is digital patterns: four-note cells like 1-2-3-5 played from the root of each chord. Coltrane used them because they fit under the fingers at high speed and spell out each key clearly. Start with the cell over every major chord, then add the same shape starting from the root of each dominant. Once that works, connect the cells with the smallest possible move between chords, which is how you go from “running patterns” to playing actual melodic lines.
Practice slowly. I mean really slowly: 60 to 80 BPM is completely fine. Say the chord names out loud while playing roots. Then play only thirds. Then play guide-tone lines (thirds and sevenths). Only after that should you add eighth-note lines. Bump the metronome up by five BPM per week and you’ll be amazed where you are in a couple of months. Loop the ii-V-I sections of the second half on their own, since they’re more forgiving and build confidence.
Listen to the original album version, then compare it to the slower ballad-style versions modern players have recorded; hearing the changes at a relaxed tempo helps the harmony sink in. Read more about the composer on John Coltrane’s Wikipedia page, and find more advanced jazz tunes broken down on Minedit.