Giant Steps

The John Coltrane jazz classic

GiantSteps.shtml | Updated: 02-Jul-2009 - 12:08

Highslide JS

Giant Steps page 1

Highslide JS

Giant Steps page 2

Click on image to view full size

Ukulele Giant Steps

Here are some links regarding John Coltrane and Giant Steps

John Coltrane was a big fan of the ukulele and wrote this song on the ukulele. This is great song to play on the uke. OK - maybe he wasn't a fan and wrote it on uke but this is a cool song to attempt on the uke.

This is not a song typically associated with the ukulele. And, all the reason to play it. It definitely gets a reaction from fellow musicians familiar with the song.

Chord wise it is really not that hard to play. It is a bear to solo over - and I'm still working on that one.

Here is my take arranged for low "G" C tuning.

If you run out of frets on a smaller size ukulele for the Eb6/9 in measure 15 then lower it one octave to 0 0 1 1. Even measures 14 and 15 can be played one octave lower and still sound fine.

PDF File

FREE PDF download, 2 pages, Updated: 10/11/2007
FILE: GiantSteps(uke-TAB).pdf ( 40 KB )

You will need Adobe Reader to view your PDF file.

MP3 Recording

Here is a solo uke recording done in GarageBand using the James Hill G-String tenor.

MP3 - Here is a MP3 recording of Giant Steps for reference.

For more on home recording check out my recording page on CurtSheller.com.

How I Learned the Chords

How I Learned the Chords... Learning these more advanced "jazz" chords doesn't take some mythical secret knowledge. All it takes is knowing how chords are created. I learned them over many years using the information I ultimately put down in my book A Guide to Advanced Chords for Ukulele. Study how to make any chord you will ever need to play using the tried and true chord formulas that the jazz pros use. They are all in this book.

Highslide JS

A Guide to Advanced Ukulele Chords Volume I

Commonly referred to as “jazz” chords. A Guide to Advanced Ukulele Chords provides detailed information on voicing 4-part chords.

Beyond learning open and barre chords, most ukulele players struggle with advanced chords. Commonly called “jazz” chords, these more sophisticated voicings find a wide use in all forms of music.

$19.95 - Buy Now

$11.97 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

Highslide JS

Exploring "Jazz" Chords on Ukulele

Exploring “Jazz” Chords takes the core chords from A Guide to Advanced Chords for Ukulele and shows their use over a variety of common chord progressions based on songs from the standard jazz repertoire.

Print Book & PDF: $17.95 - Buy Now

PDF only: $10.77 - Buy Now

MORE INFO and samples...

You'll need a copy of Adobe®: Acrobat® reader (version 3.0 or higher) to view or print the PDF file. If you don't already have a copy, or if you have an older version, you can get the latest reader for free from Adobe.

Most online lessons on this site are "Get it FREE now and pay later if you like it" type. So if you really like them and have gotten a benefit from them. You can help defray the cost of running this site by buying one of my books or donating whatever you would like.

With the cost of a private lesson anywhere from $15 an half hour to $50 or more for an hour, these lessons are a bargain.

Thanks for your support!

Lessons are intended FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY

FREE Reprint Rights - You may publish any of these articles in your e-zine or on your web site or blog -- as long as the following author bio/blurb is included:

Curt Sheller is the author of over 30 books on guitar, ukulele and music. A jazz guitarist and educator with over 40 years playing experience and 20 years teaching. Curt's JazzGuitarResources.com and UkuleleResources.com web sites are considered the top resource for jazz guitarists and ukulele players. Get a FREE subscription to Curt's newsletter.

Curt Sheller is available for clinics, workshops and concerts. Visit CurtSheller.com for details.

All Curt Sheller lessons are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License.

Thanks for visiting and checking out my site!

Content is always being added and updated. So check-in often. Curt Sheller

MAY 2009 Now accepting selected advertising.

AA.png MGM.png ad-forInfo.png
Banners Ads
  • 125x125 Banner Ads (Sidebar-every page) : $20/month
  • 468x100 Banner Ad (Single Spot on top of two pages of your choice) : $300/year
Average Visitors to CurtSheller.com

( Total - Unique visitors )
2009 Apr 32,849, 15,183 Mar 37,852, 17,396 Feb 34,900, 16,369 Jan 38,687, 16,966
2008 Dec 35,054, 16,463 Nov 35,273, 16,432 Oct 35,328, 16,494

Averaging over 1000 visitors a day.

For More Information

For more information contact curt@curtsheller.com. For available pages visit the ad rates page.

Bookmark and Share

For ALL the lastest news visit
blog.curtsheller.com

Top 50 Ukulele Sites

CurtSheller.com


Website brought to you by
Curt Sheller
Curt Sheller Publications
www.CurtSheller.com
and hosted by:

“Folks, if you haven't stopped by Curt's site, do so right now! ..And get his books, they are fantastic. This guy knows his stuff and is able to pass it along too.” - - Alan Johnson Proprietor, The 4th Peg

“I can highly recommend Curt's Uke books -- I have four of them and they are excelent.” - fatveg - Portland