Giant Steps Jazz Guitar Lesson

[@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

[@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!

[@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!

[@Alvis44]

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]

@@Alvis44 It's just what I like, I personally believe he stands out.

[@TheBeatleswithanA]

Tone is really nice too!

[@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.

[@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!

[@teamshowbiz6508]

Hey Man, Dig this ... this is by far the best Giant Steps tutorial. THANK YOU!

[@bnpapp]

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

[@brucegregori]

Thanks Bruce’

[@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!

[@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!

[@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!

[@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,....

[@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!

[@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!

[@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

[@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

[@vernondsa]

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

[@brucegregori]

Ha ha thanks Vernon!

[@YarivGurfinkel]

Cool lesson and very helpful. Thank you so much 🙏

[@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!

[@dickiefredericks]

What a great lesson!

[@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!

[@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

[@fredskolnick1183]

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

[@eric_james_music]

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

[@pangeaproxima3681]

Man, this is pure GOLD!!

[@brucegregori]

Thank you sir!

[@What_If_We_Tried]

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

[@brucegregori]

Thank you Daniel!

[@tonycalabro5125]

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

[@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 ....

[@njigyfd]

Vibe - your pedagogy and playing are right there - Thanks

[@brucegregori]

Thanks my man!

[@chrisbiko1225]

ive been playing guitar for a while but have always wanted to learn jazz and r&b. I figured dive into the deep end and learn this song, soooo glad I came across your video Bruce! Explained the song very well and now i could at least play the chords and the melody to sound cool lol. Thanks!😄😄

[@MrSyjdub]

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

[@diegoalejo6950]

This is the Best explanation I have found about this tune

[@brucegregori]

Thanks very much!

[@sheercerebralpower]

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

[@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.

[@ТимурПятигорець]

Thank You!

[@agonyoftheleaves_officialband]

Excellent lesson.

[@JC-11111]

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!

[@DevinWilson-u5u]

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

[@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

[@dudek53]

Very nice shortcut into this piece. Thanks for sharing.

[@brucegregori]

Thanks so much!

[@rhsry7260]

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

[@brucegregori]

Thanks RH!

[@j-ffilion1290]

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

[@brucegregori]

Thanks my man!

[@robertoetojo5861]

He is amazing player unbelievable..

[@brucegregori]

Thanks Robert

[@fabriziopacifici5404]

Awesome! Bravissimo.

[@brucegregori]

Thanks my man!

[@aztlangrooverecordz]

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

[@brucegregori]

Sure thing

[@kasiaitomekfotografia5621]

What a great lesson! Thank you so much!

[@brucegregori]

Anytime!

[@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

[@brucegregori]

DIG IT! - Check out Giant Steps and leave a comment below on some strategies you use to play on this tune. Let us know how you get through and what helped you to learn and master it. And if you are just learning to get through it, share some struggles you might be having with Giant Steps. Remember what Joe Pass said - there are no wrong notes, just unexpected ones! Peace.

[@virginiapecoraro8935]

Understand thank you!

[@brucegregori]

@@virginiapecoraro8935 absolutely!

[@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!

[@kevinsim1514]

Thank you for this video, Bruce Gergori, and de-mystifying “Giant Steps” for jazz guitar.

[@maxmilligan8734]

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

[@brucegregori]

Thanks Max

[@gp92510]

Great stuff...Please continue

[@brucegregori]

Thanks!

[@EvilDead1995]

Brilliant lesson!!

[@brucegregori]

Thanks my man!

[@stavrou0]

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

[@brucegregori]

Thanks my man!

[@fatabeeno]

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

[@brucegregori]

And should never be!

[@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!

[@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!

[@gordonbuss3981]

Thank you so much. Great teaching.

[@heitorperes3326]

Thank you.

[@Sonic_Egg]

great video, spoken and presented very clearly . awesome stuff

[@mikeanaro]

Awesome lesson, thanks! Suscribed.

[@brucegregori]

Thanks very much!

[@andrewamirzadeh7678]

Finally… someone who explains this song clearly.

[@brucegregori]

Thanks my man!

[@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.

[@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!

[@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!

[@leegollin4417]

I studied with Dennis Sandole...he would prescribe tetrachordal techniques for each chord...I like the three tonal center approach for learning to navigate the changes. I teach kids to play only half notes and use whole and half steps to move up one string over the changes until they can make that sound good.

[@brucegregori]

Charlie Parker - just out line the darn changes lol!

[@leegollin4417]

@@brucegregori that's what he would say.....he did a little more than play chord tones and embellishments though.....that's a good start. I like the Pat Martino minor conversion concept for guitarists learning to navigate chord changes, combined with good old knowing the chords and their functions.

[@brucegregori]

@@leegollin4417 Minor Reduction man! Or think like Joe Pass and just focus on the dominate lol!

[@leegollin4417]

@@brucegregori focus on the one you know best....Pat loves minor, George B does the Dom thing more....

[@lazyrocketdrift8506]

Thank you man. Ima digging it!

[@AgueroNain]

Phenomenal playing. Great explanation and breakdown. Thank you

[@brucegregori]

Thanks my man

[@Peacejamz]

THANX MAN WHAT A SUPERB LESSON !!!

[@brucegregori]

Thanks my man!

[@PhilipPoland1987]

Very good lesson and beautiful Bendetto!

[@brucegregori]

Thanks you sir!

[@mirkopiconese]

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

[@brucegregori]

Thanks my man for tuning in!

[@johnorr4866]

Excellent teacher

[@bekakhurtsidze3056]

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

[@brucegregori]

Thanks my man!

[@sweetcell8767]

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

[@brucegregori]

Thanks very much!

[@LaMarBias]

Dig it! Do you sale a lesson on the song "Estate"?

[@brucegregori]

I currently don't have one on that one but we could work on it - send me an email and let's talk.

[@spohdeeohdee]

Awesome analysis. Thank you!

[@brucegregori]

Thanks my man

[@teleplucker6802]

All I can say is "mind blown"!

[@AlsamadCaldwell]

You are a Great Teacher!!!!!!

[@brucegregori]

Thank you sir!

[@guitarjr]

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

[@brucegregori]

Thanks my man!

[@garciagrcia]

this channel is way too underrated

[@brucegregori]

Thank you my friend, keep playing and swinging!

[@georgeavilapinto.1760]

parabens gostei muito da sua aula

[@brucegregori]

Swing on!

[@rostandbergerac2525]

Best lesson of Giant Steps on the net

[@brucegregori]

Right on!

[@cunhasantos3014]

Great lesson… cheers

[@JAZZGITAN]

Great ideas and very well explained! Thanks!

[@brucegregori]

Thanks my man.

[@aleksik4028]

I think one of the challenges besides/with the tempo is the odd places the harmony/key centers change.

[@donaldadams290]

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

[@brucegregori]

Thanks so much Donald!

[@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!

[@jameseastope5562]

Clearly explained. Thank you!

[@brucegregori]

Thanks James!

[@virginiapecoraro8935]

Great,...but seems to me in the chord Melody on Bb7 you play an Ebmaj7 voicing? Also in chart at 6.35..

[@brucegregori]

Correct - This is a strategy I learned from Joe Pass. You can really play any chord voicing you ears like when you stay inside the same key. Since the bass note is landing on Bb, playing a EbMaj7 voicing still yields a Bb dom chord. It is a way to keep this chord melody simple and parallel at the same time. Joe was all about simple...try it out in different places it works really well, esp when you are searching for other voicings. PEACE

[@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!

[@lucassouza8801]

Amazing lesson thankyou so much!!

[@brucegregori]

Thank you sir!

[@commissarchad]

Young Walter White killing it on GS.

[@MrDerekwik]

thank you so much for this lesson sir

[@brucegregori]

Absolutely!

[@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.

[@isidrott]

Awesome!

[@robertomacheda592]

very nice video and lesson thanks

[@brucegregori]

Thank you sir!

[@ivannardini3344]

Genius!! thank you thank you thank you!!

[@brucegregori]

Thanks so much Ivan!

[@EricWajnberg]

Hey. Can you tell us what sort of guitar are you playing? It looks really nice. Thanks & cheers.

[@brucegregori]

That guitar is a Benedetto Bambino standard.

[@EricWajnberg]

@@brucegregori Thanks!

[@brucegregori]

Anytime

[@gregjgman]

What kind of guitar is that? Love it!

[@anton7146]

in germany we say vallah ich küss doch dein herz, best youtube video i have seen in a while

[@brucegregori]

Danke schon, mein Mann!