Giant Steps Jazz Guitar Lesson

DIG IT! GIANT Steps Jazz Guitar Lesson is up AND it is LARGE on keeping you safe on this "theoretically" TERRIFYING song by John Coltrane.
We are going to take a GIANT look at Giant Steps and BREAK DOWN how you can play fluently on this tune - every time!
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OH THE FEAR of playing on Giant Steps. I am SURE you have experienced it, but for almost all Jazz Players it is a "right of passage" that can actually confirm you know how to play the genre of JAZZ.
Now, I am not going to argue that statement because it just exists, but what I will say is The Giant Steps Jazz Guitar lesson will, hopefully, get you to see Giant Steps is not so TERRIFYING at all, and in fact, it is actually a relatively simple harmony based on a few well-known standards.
The biggest hurdle to over come on Giant Steps is to be able to manage the TEMPO it is played at and to not "overload" the harmony with lots of flash.
IT IS PARAMOUNT to keep it simple and MELODIC as much as possible and with The Giant Steps Jazz Guitar Lesson you WILL able to play on this tune AND be completely successful!
So if you want to expand your knowledge on this tune - WATCH the video.
This is a great-fresh look on a classic tune that I know you will dig.
So you know what to do. DIG IT and push play!
Check it out and let me know in the comments.
Peace
PS.
There is a live demo of this song as well. Enjoy!
Key Times
0:00 Intro
1:26 Lesson Performance 1
1:55 Lesson Overview
2:31 Song Format A1
4:08 Song Format A2
4:42 The Melody
5:31 Chord Melody
6:30 CM Chart
7:13 CM Mini Lesson
10:29 Solo Ex
11:19 Melody Soloing
12.57 Pent Mini Lesson
15:06 Pent Solo Ex
16:03 Trane Patterns Mini Lesson
17:03 Trane Pattern Solo Ex
17:11 Summary
18:59 Performance
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Video Gear - Benedetto Bambino aprox 2005
Henriksen Custom Bud 12 and 10, Acoustic Image Clarus 4 Plus with Raezors Edge 12 Cab
and Direct line to Apollo 8/Pro Tools 12.

[@SantiagoPombo]

Bruce, my friend, this is possibly the best guitar lesson I have come across on KZbin, thank you! You simplified a Giant piece and made it available to the masses. I was able to pick it up in an hour, forever grateful. If you take requests, I'd love to see your take on either Donna Lee or Spain, mainly how to approach soloing and chord melody for the tunes.

[@brucegregori]

Thanks my man! For sure on both of those. They are in the works!

[@SantiagoPombo]

Looking forward to more content!

[@brucegregori]

@@SantiagoPombo Yes sir. I have new tunes every Tuesday and Friday. And I also have a Monday Night Live Series which is like a live guitar lesson folks can tune in and ask questions, make suggestions etc. Thanks

[@rickbrinckwirth2391]

Agreed

[@valeriocesarini5661]

How is this guy not more famous. Yeah yeah there’s a billion great jazz players and so on but I just find his choice of notes, approach to tunes and overall sound so comforting and pristine, which I really like finding in jazz.

[@brucegregori]

Thanks Valero! I do appreciate your kindness very much. Swing on my friend!

[@Type_Midi]

I think you picking this specific guitarist as better than the rest is kind of just contradicting what you said about there being a billion great jazz players.

[@valeriocesarini5661]

@@Type_Midi It's just what I like, I personally believe he stands out.

[@TheBeatleswithanA]

Tone is really nice too!

[@vulgarresponse7080]

I'm not a jazz guitarist but you've given me ideas for my blues playing thankyou.👍👍👍

[@brucegregori]

For sure brother - there is blues in everything and in fact Coltrane himself played blues lines on this very tune! That is def the key to keep the blues! Keep playing and peace!

[@pascaljeanne6520]

sure i play blues , and some jazzy stuff in the blues like dim chords or some cadence ! 6th chord etc ...

[@pascaljeanne6520]

and for sure , altered scales on the 7 5 + altered scale its magic !

[@JimmyDormire]

Absolutely the best Giant Steps lesson for guitar, many thanks!

[@brucegregori]

Well thanks so much - I appreciate that and enjoy!

[@guitaristpauljohnson664]

I just discovered you yesterday, Bruce, as I was challenged by a friend's practice routine of GS and went looking for guidance. You are an incredible player and teacher! Thank you so much for your helpful insights to simplify and boil this tune down. Much appreciated!

[@davidcarlisle8333]

Excellent, excellent instruction on GSteps Cleared up a decade of questions I have had on this tune I’ll be working on wthis video for years to come

[@bob.beaverson]

Wow! This is, without a doubt, the best analysis of Giant Steps I've seen for guitar! Thanks so much for the video. I've really wanted to dig into this tune for a long time, and will do so now.

[@brucegregori]

Thanks Bob - Enjoy!

[@bnpapp]

100% love this from beginning to end...a masterclass. Bruce is the juice!

[@brucegregori]

Thanks Bruce’

[@pieroiuretig165]

This is the best lesson on Giant Steps I've ever heard. Why all the teachers I had before even in the academia, never talked about those things? You made it so clear! Thankyou!

[@brucegregori]

Right on...thanks.

[@redrooz]

Very few "great" players are great teachers. Bruce is clearly an exception who knows how to strike a good balance between showing how it works and explaining why it works, without getting bogged down in technicalities that lose sight of the music.

[@vernondsa9027]

This was a much needed lesson. Thanks a lot Bruce! You're a living legend!

[@brucegregori]

Ha ha thanks Vernon!

[@brianaxel4589]

Bruce brother! This lesson brought Giant Steps into a new light for me. Along the way, you illuminated paths for understanding the music of Coltrane in particular and jazz more generally. I also got fresh inspiration for playing my own music. Much gratitude to you!

[@brucegregori]

Thanks Brian! That is the goal, make it simple and keep it playable! Keep at it! PEACE

[@CharlieKnolesPlus]

You are a phenomenal teacher! I had blowing over these changes as a goal for the end of the year but now I think I’ll have to step up my goals! I love your energy and enthusiasm too. Dig it!

[@brucegregori]

Thanks my man. Keep at it!

[@YarivGurfinkel]

Cool lesson and very helpful. Thank you so much 🙏

[@crudehumbleobvious3660]

Fantastic approach to soloing on this tune on guitar, just using the melody and minor pentatonics, THANK YOU. Dig it!

[@brucegregori]

Yes sir! Thanks for tuning in!

[@gordonbuss3981]

Thank you so much. Great teaching.

[@giacomoforbice5244]

Amazing lesson, thank you so much

[@stavrou0]

I dig it! Best explanation that I have seen so far! Thanks for the content. It’s Gold!

[@brucegregori]

Thanks my man!

[@randychang6751]

Man I’ve been busting my balls trying to understand the movement to this song! I’ve watched many players explain their concept of how to play over the changes. Your explanation to this song is so simple it’s crazy! I get you, thank you so much!!

[@brucegregori]

Anytime man,....

[@MizzingtonMack]

HOW DID I NOT KNOW OF THIS MAN BEFORE?? HE IS STELLAR COOL, TALENTED AND HAS DISSECTED A PILLAR OF JAZZ IN LESS THAN 20 MINUTES. PROBABLY THE BEST TUTORIAL ON GUITAR I'VE EVER SEEN. #KING!

[@brucegregori]

Thanks!

[@tonycalabro5125]

Beautifully explained.... wonderful teaching, God bless you.

[@robertshuruncle9619]

When I was young in NYC in the 1960s-70s I attended the "Bar Talk Music Conservatory" mostly at the Vanguard and the Blue Note. The very best players to connect with for picking (of brains) were on your wavelength. "Keep it real, play what you can feel, simplify... once you own it you can always embellish and make fancier connections". Some people describe a solo like it was a round of golf... "he was hitting 3rd and made a 5 on the 13th on the back 9". Such folks are brilliant but I much prefer what you brought to this lesson. Thank you so much for making a 71 year old feel like an enthusiastic student again.

[@brucegregori]

Anytime and keep at it!

[@Sonic_Egg]

great video, spoken and presented very clearly . awesome stuff

[@AgueroNain]

Phenomenal playing. Great explanation and breakdown. Thank you

[@brucegregori]

Thanks my man

[@blazer6248]

Wow. I'm impressed. I just, watched a non-jazz guitarist try to explain Giant Steps and then try to improvise over it. I was lost the entire time. Hearing a jazz guitarist explain it makes so much more sense and I have almost no theory knowledge at this point in my guitar playing. I know what, triads are and chord progressions, etc...but it's just the most basic stuff. Gonna have to sub to this channel 🙏👍Thank you! Jazz was never something I listened to until I started playing guitar. Id be missing out on far too much if I limited myself to just the music I've always liked.

[@brucegregori]

Keep at it....its not that hard and you can do it! Theory is great if you can't play not so much lol!

[@agonyoftheleaves_officialband]

Excellent lesson.

[@1mespud]

Great lesson! Kudos! Coltrane wrote this piece as a personal way to challenge himself when privately practicing and admitted that it took him forever to perfect it long before he decided to record it. The best way to approach GIANT STEPS is to take your time and sneak up on it. This way you get familiar with the song's DNA. Like life itself, you have to start off as an ocean liner before you become a speedboat. And thanks BG for sharing and doing your part to help tame mankind with your gift, talent and knowledge..

[@brucegregori]

Thank you very much for the kind words and swing on my man!

[@pangeaproxima3681]

Man, this is pure GOLD!!

[@brucegregori]

Thank you sir!

[@howardmessam5433]

Bruce, I'm a saxophonist from Jamaica 🇯🇲 and don't read music. I'm just getting into chords and this lesson on Giant Steps has pushed my understanding way further. You have great teaching skills. I didn't even have to touch the horn before getting it. God bless you man.

[@brucegregori]

Great to hear my man. Stick with it!

[@eric_james_music]

Second time watching this. You make it so straightforward I understand it without even having my guitar in my hands

[@Poppafunkband]

Great video Dude! Just the kind of thing I was looking to find. Nice pleasant tone as well!

[@brucegregori]

Thanks brother - I appreciate that - swing on!

[@bekakhurtsidze3056]

The greatest lesson for Giant Steps.. Thanks a lot!! 😎💚

[@brucegregori]

Thanks my man!

[@njigyfd]

Vibe - your pedagogy and playing are right there - Thanks

[@brucegregori]

Thanks my man!

[@dudek53]

Very nice shortcut into this piece. Thanks for sharing.

[@brucegregori]

Thanks so much!

[@mirkopiconese]

Amazing guitar lesson!!!! Thank you very much for that beautiful chord melody!!!!

[@brucegregori]

Thanks my man for tuning in!

[@What_If_We_Tried]

Just stumbled across this fantastic tutorial on this venerable classic. Much appreciated. Subscribed...

[@brucegregori]

Thank you Daniel!

[@lucassouza8801]

Amazing lesson thankyou so much!!

[@brucegregori]

Thank you sir!

[@guitarjr]

Awesome lesson!! Excited to add this approach to my arsenal.

[@brucegregori]

Thanks my man!

[@kasiaitomekfotografia5621]

What a great lesson! Thank you so much!

[@brucegregori]

Anytime!

[@fredskolnick1183]

Bruce...you break this down so well! I understand this now!!!! Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!!!!!!!

[@MrSyjdub]

Thank you, Bruce. Excellent content. From Brooklyn NY.

[@EVEROSFP1]

My first teacher taught me a lot about jazz and jazz standards but i always was more into rock/metal...reminds me those days. Nice channel. Unbelievable tune. Giant composer.

[@brucegregori]

It is funny how so many metal players dig jazz - a lot of it is the noteness you can have with playing fast tempo jazz guitar. I actually saw a metal band cover ginat steps. It was really cool. Peace!

[@EVEROSFP1]

@@brucegregori You really got me!..by the way i LOVE jazz guitarists.

[@brucegregori]

@@EVEROSFP1 Thanks very much. I really like the Bambinos - they are cool instruments

[@gxruiz1]

Right on! An hour and a half ago I could only manage the most basic comping on this tune. Now I got chord melody and some basic soloing going on. Granted, it’s at hapf tempo, but imagine what I could do if I went to jail for six months! Thanks!

[@j-ffilion1290]

Wow, not only are you a skilled guitarist but fantastic populariser as well. Thank you for the lesson.

[@brucegregori]

Thanks my man!

[@user-bm7gj4kb6o]

This blew my mind, I've never quite grasped how to solo over this until now, gonna get to woodshedding now haha

[@mbatampangumadimbadien8260]

Eh mister BRUCE greetings from FRANCE. I am getting into jazz and I really appreciate the man and your way to explain jazz standards. You really make them simple. Your are my reference in you tube. Now I have no more excuse! Next days I will try to dig GIANT STEP. Congratulations for your job very very great job. I hope every where in Africa young guitarist can see this and learn! God bless you man!

[@brucegregori]

Thanks very much for the kind words! Jazz can be addicting for sure! Keep playing and working on it - you can do it! PEACE my brother.

[@donaldadams290]

Am Diggin it Bruce,Legend lesson, keep swinging Bro,much Luv!

[@brucegregori]

Thanks so much Donald!

[@spohdeeohdee]

Awesome analysis. Thank you!

[@brucegregori]

Thanks my man

[@sheercerebralpower]

Phantastic fellow guitar player….. I have been playing this tune and my approach is kind of similiar to yours. Well done!!

[@vicentesalvadorpitrelli2092]

Excelente..Bruce gracias desde Argentina te mando un saludo y cuídate .PD Tengo 65 años 66 en Julio siempre ha sido difícil tocar este tema pero tu lo haces ver mas fácil te felicito ....

[@brittden9532]

Brilliant lesson!!

[@brucegregori]

Thanks my man!

[@rhsry7260]

simple and direct.....great video !!!

[@brucegregori]

Thanks RH!

[@magicruss1]

Excellent stuff

[@PhilipPoland1987]

Very good lesson and beautiful Bendetto!

[@brucegregori]

Thanks you sir!

[@MrDerekwik]

thank you so much for this lesson sir

[@brucegregori]

Absolutely!

[@gp92510]

Great stuff...Please continue

[@brucegregori]

Thanks!

[@manek1630]

great lesson!!

[@JAZZGITAN]

Great ideas and very well explained! Thanks!

[@brucegregori]

Thanks my man.

[@mikeanaro]

Awesome lesson, thanks! Suscribed.

[@brucegregori]

Thanks very much!

[@cunhasantos3014]

Great lesson… cheers

[@aztlangrooverecordz]

brother thank you so much for the lesson made my day ;) ... subscribed !!!!

[@brucegregori]

Sure thing

[@isidrott]

Awesome!

[@amsedelm]

Dig it! Love this. Thank you so much.

[@brucegregori]

Thanks so much!

[@maxmilligan8734]

Fantastic lesson, thanks for unlocking this tune. I'm not a jazzer but love that chord melody. :)

[@brucegregori]

Thanks Max

[@johnorr4866]

Excellent teacher

[@sweetcell8767]

Hey Bruce I've just come across your channel. I love your work my man. Thank you.

[@brucegregori]

Thanks very much!

[@user-qi2zt8nr9u]

Thank You!

[@permjoback2580]

Great lesson. Thanks! 🎸👍😊

[@brucegregori]

Thanks my man.

[@gigspigs]

ok Bruce, Im diggin it. Im a good guitarist who never learned jazz after all these years. I'm gong to the shed with you on this... I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks

[@FrancisFurtak]

Bruce , wow you are a great player and teacher. I wouldn't think about going near this tune but now that you opened the door it might be possible! Love the way you break it down so we can understand! I'll be back . Thanks so much!

[@brucegregori]

Francis my man. You can do it for sure. Once you start don’t stop!

[@FrancisFurtak]

@@brucegregori Will do!

[@fatabeeno]

Nice lesson. I'm not as terrified of playing this, now. Thanks Bruce !

[@brucegregori]

And should never be!

[@lebohangmohapi8605]

This was so helpful and enjoyable at the same time. Thank you!

[@brucegregori]

Thanks Lebohang....PEACE

[@lebohangmohapi8605]

@@brucegregori Yeah man, I'm in South Africa, thanks again.

[@brucegregori]

@@lebohangmohapi8605 cool man. Keep playing!

[@ivannardini3344]

Genius!! thank you thank you thank you!!

[@brucegregori]

Thanks so much Ivan!

[@spivvo]

Wow… I just stumbled upon this, not a jazz player but like somebody just opened a big door…. Playing the the third pentatonic, Coltrane arpeggios, those chord changes… subscribed!

[@brucegregori]

Jazz is a language and it is the same as many other genres like rock and blues. You do it all my man!

[@rochthis]

I can say without a doubt, as a valve bone player, this was a GREAT lesson. Thank you, Bruce! Going to watch this often and get to work! P.S. - love the color combo / aesthetic at play with your axe/shirt/studio/graphics. KILLER.

[@brucegregori]

Thanks very much!

[@bingochoice]

not very many people can really solo on giant steps, I mean really solo.hearing what your playing.its a major line in the sand for jazz players..once you can do it, you have arrived as a jazz player...just like paganini's concerto number 1, is a demarcation point for violinists..great video bruce

[@brucegregori]

Well right on! thanks for your kindness.

[@neilwright729]

I'm a keyboard player but REALLY enjoyed this video so much! A very cool approach to these 'bouncing around the circle of fifths' changes. Thanks so much!

[@brucegregori]

Thanks Neil - GS is a fun jam for sure. Keep playing - I get so much from listening to Bill Evans - one of my favorite pianists.

[@neilwright729]

​@@brucegregori Yes, a true master of harmony and feel. Everything he recorded became the 'definitive' version of the tune...

[@brucegregori]

@@neilwright729 for sure

[@Peacejamz]

THANX MAN WHAT A SUPERB LESSON !!!

[@brucegregori]

Thanks my man!

[@jameseastope5562]

Clearly explained. Thank you!

[@brucegregori]

Thanks James!

[@fabriziopacifici5404]

Awesome! Bravissimo.

[@brucegregori]

Thanks my man!

[@diegoalejo6950]

This is the Best explanation I have found about this tune

[@brucegregori]

Thanks very much!

[@rolfthrane9363]

Its a very good video actual - The solo instruction is good with pentatonic minors - I think hard part about this piece in. addition to following the changes with your lines is creating lines that someone else wants to listen to - that is where thought your explanation of what Coltrane did was very good

[@brucegregori]

Thanks so much!

[@AlsamadCaldwell]

You are a Great Teacher!!!!!!

[@brucegregori]

Thank you sir!

[@mattbell4194]

Bruce I never thought I'd be playing Coltraine ! Such a great lesson ! I'm trying to pull apart the music theory behind this and it's kinda coming together thank you! One thing on your TAB you note the Am7 as 5557 but in the video you play 4457 as this is Jazz I presume both are correct ?

[@brucegregori]

Correct - I tend to change the voicing depending on what my ears are telling me. But yes both can work! Thanks for tuning in!

[@heitorperes3326]

Thank you.

[@robertomacheda592]

very nice video and lesson thanks

[@brucegregori]

Thank you sir!

[@15320HA]

I can only dream of playing as clean as you do. If I buy a beautiful ax like the one you have perhaps it will motivate me to practice harder? Just watching your videos is very motivating. Tito Puentes exposed me to Giant Steps. You are helping keep this music alive by motivating me to attempt to learn how to play it. Dig it!!!

[@brucegregori]

Hi Albert! You can do it! Don't be intimidated by Giant Steps - it is easy to get in your ears and it can be played. Take it slow and try it one chord at a time. Also try it Bossa style. That tends to work well for folks...PEACE!

[@brucegregori]

@Fleisch Berg HA!

[@markototev]

Looking to slow down and learn this or parts of it. The entire thing looks like one really good exercise in everything pretty much.

[@brucegregori]

The key starts with the augmented form.

[@amirhosseinbadihi9754]

so helpful

[@young0804]

Really good quality man. I like that 'Dig It'

[@brucegregori]

Well right on man, it is all about the DIG, dig?!!

[@young0804]

Bruce Gregori DIG IT!! Second time I'm watching it

[@brucegregori]

@@young0804 right on. Really there is so many approaches on a tune - but the key is to keep it simple and work on it slow. Next week I am planning a live YT clinic where I will answering some questions about tunes. Anyone can join and I will cover just about any topic - well almost any lol! DIG man

[@young0804]

Bruce Gregori I'll be there man. Great job, keep it digging!

[@brucegregori]

@@young0804 Thanks brother catch you then!

[@dickiefredericks]

What a great lesson!

[@MrNls10]

Great stuff.

[@brucegregori]

Thanks my man

[@DenysCristian1]

Awesome

[@robertoetojo5861]

He is amazing player unbelievable..

[@brucegregori]

Thanks Robert

[@martyg374]

Very well done. Good advice on remaining melodic, otherwise it sounds like an exercise. Adding notation would help as well as watching your fingers. Seems guitar might easier than other instruments because you can just move your hands to change keys. Enjoyed your presentation very much.

[@bezuglich]

Bruce just wondering if you use any extensions. One chart of GS I've got shows the D7 in mm 4 as a D7#9, for example, and then a Bb7#5 in mm 8; also an F#7 #5b9 in mm 12. Great lesson, and great tone from that Benedetto!

[@brucegregori]

All of those would work great - mostly how I think of 7th chords is that any extension is fair game if it a resolving dominate. In this tune they all are so you can blow as many extensions as you hear, but mostly I stay diatonic in this one since the "wideness" of the key centers create lots of tensions as well. The approach you thinking of is a fine one although. I am going to be doing a live master class hopefully tuesday that cats can ask lots of questions about tunes. Check it out if you are around. I will post the time and date coming up soon. Keep me posted on your progress!

[@teleplucker6802]

All I can say is "mind blown"!

[@gregjgman]

What kind of guitar is that? Love it!

[@johnklimeck]

Bruce, Benedetto sounds and looks great. Looks like a real low action, low wide Gibson style frets?, a 12" radius or higher? Love your approach, fantastic.

[@brucegregori]

Hi John - I use my custom GHS strings 15-54 on the benedetto - 16-56 on the Sadowsky. My action is low so the guitar is really stiff and nothing flops around too much. But, with the archtop bridge I get a decent amount of wiggle on the strings for bends and vibrato. 12' radius and the frets are standard dunlop frets medium height not to too wide and moderately tall. Thanks for tuning in!

[@lorenzopetrocca]

GREAT, grazie bruce!

[@brucegregori]

Thanks my man!

[@lorenzopetrocca]

@@brucegregori very welcome, I must admit that despite 35 years of professional guitar playing, I really liked your explanation on giant step .. all the best bruce

[@brucegregori]

@@lorenzopetrocca thanks very much. The best thing about guitar is that is can always teach us something. Peace brother.

[@lorenzopetrocca]

@@brucegregori parole vere, true words, hugs bro

[@georgeavilapinto.1760]

parabens gostei muito da sua aula

[@brucegregori]

Swing on!