Customer Reviews

John Coltrane Plays Giant Steps: Tenor Saxophone (Artist Transcriptions)

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Basically, this book contains transcriptions of every chorus for the tune "Giant Steps" that Coltrane recorded at the March 26 and May 5, 1959 recording sessions. All in all, 9 different takes including the original master.

The transcriptions are presented in a very readable way: 4 measures to each line throughout, plus some other notation devices. I can't really comment much on the accuracy as I haven't played through any of the transcriptions yet, but on first glance they seem very meticuously done.

Be aware that all music is notated for Bb tenor saxophone, which means that many players of other instruments will have to transpose the music.

The introduction to the book contain historical notes on Coltrane and Giant Steps, plus an analysis of the tune in terms of harmony, form and pitch selection.

This book is exactly what I was looking for - a chorus by chorus transcription of Coltrane's famous solos, written for tenor sax. It also has some historical notes and dates, but the important thing is the written solos I've been listening to and trying to emulate for years. What a great study and practice tool! Great for sight-reading and for seeing exactly how good Trane was. This is a Tenor player's wish come true, like the Parker Omnibook for alto.