Giant Steps

Harmonic Analysis Worksheet (RMA/HA)

Published: 03 Apr 2023 Updated: 03 Apr 2023Visits: 3Code: ULHA-RB1-170

Category: Harmonic-AnalysisInstrument: Any Subjects: Theory • Progressions • Harmony • Analysis • RMA

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Giant Steps


Harmonic Analysis (RMA) Worksheet for the song: Giant Steps.

Giant Steps

Released: February 1960

Giant Steps is the fifth studio album by jazz musician John Coltrane as leader. It was released in February 1960 on Atlantic Records. This was his first album as leader for Atlantic Records, with which he had signed a new contract the previous year. The record is regarded as one of the most influential jazz albums of all time. Many of its tracks have become practice templates for jazz saxophonists. In 2004, it was one of fifty recordings chosen that year by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry. It attained gold record status in 2018, having sold 500,000 copies.

Two tracks, "Naima" and "Syeeda's Song Flute", are respectively named after Coltrane's wife at the time and her daughter, whom he adopted. A third, "Mr. P.C.", takes its name from the initials of bassist Paul Chambers, who played on the album. A fourth, "Cousin Mary", is named in honor of Mary Lyerly, Coltrane's younger cousin. (wikiwand) ·

Giant Steps

Chords

Bmaj7 D7 Gmaj7 Ebmaj7 Am7 Bb7 F#7 Fm7 C#7 F#m7

Theses and many other chords where covered in the Learn A Chord A Day series of lessons.

C Tuning Chords

Starting Melody Note and 1st Interval

  • Start on P5 ↓ M3.
  • INTERVALS: Root=note that begins a scale of the starting key; C is C, D is D, Am is a, Em is E, etc... m=minor; M=Major; P=Perfect; D=Diminished; A=Augmented. • ↑ is up/ascending; ↓ is down/descending;

    Harmonic Analysis (HA)

    A Harmonic Analysis (RMA/HA) and its worksheet are intended to show the function of the chords, the harmonic principles used, the keys and tonalities the song explores. And, can be used for scale selections and chord and scale substitutions.

    A Harmonic Analysis Worksheet is NOT intended to be a leadsheet and minimal roadmap information such repeats, fines, D.S., D.C., codas have been used in preparing the worksheets to somewhat mirror the leadsheet in the Daily Ukulele book..

    Sections, Verse, Chorus, 1st, 2nd Ending, turnbacks …

    The worksheets will show 1st, 2nd Ending, turnbacks, etc. as in indicated the Yellow Book. You should start to recognize that 1st endings typically always return to a previous or verse or section. With a 2nd ending, a transition to a different section, a or chorus. Harmonic Principles are used for these repeats and transitions.

    If turnbacks chord are not indication for the these 1st, 2nd Ending will indicate recommended chord(s) in parentheses or as an alternate harmony in Red . Typically the last measures or turnbacks will be a chord that resolves to and harmonically leads you to the next section or turning you back to the same section.

    Reference Key

    This is the key of the source leadsheet.

    • Giant Steps is in 4/4, Common Time and the Key of B .

    Harmonic Principles Used:

    Harmonic Analysis (HA) Worksheet

    Visit the Harmonic Analysis for Scale and Chord Selection series of lessons for information on creating a Harmonic Analysis Worksheet

    A re-harmonization, in Red can be simple, sticking pretty close to the original composer's intentions or complex and a whole new set of chord changes.

    Bmaj7
    Gmaj7
    Ebmaj7
    B
    D7
    G
    Bb7
    Eb
    Am7
    D7
    I
    V
    I
    V
    I
    II
    V
    Gmaj7
    Ebmaj7
    Bmaj7
    G
    Bb7
    Eb
    F#7
    B
    Fm7
    Bb7
    I
    V
    I
    V
    I
    II
    V
    Ebmaj7
    Gmaj7
    Eb
    Am7
    D7
    G
    C#m7
    F#7
    I
    II
    V
    I
    II
    V
    Bmaj7
    Ebmaj7
    B
    Fm7
    Bb7
    Eb
    C#m7
    F#7
    I
    II
    V
    I
    II
    V

    Not really a challenging song, harmonically speaking. Just a series of V I and II V I chords. However, the changes move by pretty quick with two beats each for most chords. The real challenge is the typically fast tempo that it is performed at.

    Ralph Patt Vanilla Book

    Checkout the Ralph Patt Vanilla Book Vanilla changes for Giant Steps • The Vanilla Book uncovers the basic ("Vanilla") chord changes to over 400 of the most commonly played jazz standards to help the jazz player learn the basic changes and allow the player to add embellishments and substitutions on a solid framework.

    Embellishments to basic chords such as added 6ths, 9ths, 13ths, flat 5ths etc. are usually determined by the melody notes and the style of music being played.

    Nashville Number System (NNS)

    Nashville Numbering System always uses four bars/measures per line, no bar lines, and default is each number of the number of beats per bar/measure based on the time signature. If multiple chords in same bar then they are underlined. It can be as simple as convert the Roman Numerals above to Arabic number.

    Scale Selection

    Once a Harmonic Analysis has been completed then scale selections can be made. These scale selections can be either vertical and horizontal choices. And, really only needed if you are going to take a solo or embellish the melody with added notes.

    Scale Abbreviation Legend

    Traditional Scales: Maj: Major (Ionian), Dim: Diminished, WT: Whole Tone, Har Min: Harmonic Minor,
    Contemporary Scales: Minor Pent: Minor Pentatonic, Pent: Major Pentatonic, Blues,
    Scale/Mode Names: Ion: Ionian (Major), Dor: Dorian (Minor), Phrygian: Phrygian, Lyd: Lydian, Mix: Mixolydian (Dominant), Aeol: Aeolian (Natural Minor), Loc: Locrian

    Checkout LESSONSeries : Harmonic Analysis for Scale and Chord Selection or download the Harmonic Analysis for Scale and Chord Selection book. And the QuickStart Series of Scale and Arpeggio books.

    RMA book cover QS1UKES book cover

    Performance Notes

    Links & Resources

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    End of Lesson - Thanks, Hope You Enjoyed It!

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    Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for G Tuning, Low or High A – D G B E

    Key Signatures — Circle of Fourths and Fifths – ANSI A & A4 sizes

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