How To ACTUALLY Play GIANT STEPS... | Ben Eunson

Is GIANT STEPS easy? Here's how to understand the history, harmony and ALSO how to solo on it!
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:05 Giant Steps, 220bpm (Slower)
02:36 Part 1 - History Of Giant Steps
04:13 Part 2 - The Chord Progression
05:49 Part 3 - Countdown
08:02 Countdown, 220bpm
08:56 Part 4 - Origin Of Giant Steps
10:30 Part 5 - Soloing Over Giant Steps
12:24 Final Thoughts

[@beneunson]

LEARN to solo with TRIADS: www.bensguitarclub.com/p/how-to-solo-with-triads How To Practice BUNDLE (3 guitar masterclasses): www.bensguitarclub.com/p/how-to-practice-bundle-volumes-1-2-3 The BGC Bundle (11 masterclasses with 10% discount included): www.bensguitarclub.com/p/the-bgc-bundle

[@DrKennyWang]

Love your chill, no pressure instruction.

[@beneunson]

So glad you enjoyed it! 😀

[@amziadi]

How this man is not way more famous on KZbin is beyond me. Absolutely masterful command of lead jazz guitar.

[@guitarlots]

I know right

[@rillloudmother]

He is well known in the real world as a jazz musician. The interweb is the lie.

[@amziadi]

I’m glad that’s the case! To be clear I meant my comment with utmost respect. Ben deserves all the recognition. He’s one of the best jazz guitarists in the scene today for sure.

[@guitarlots]

Ben should have at least a couple hundred thousand subs, something is off, he shreds better than most

[@joseph2707]

I was thinking the exact same thing!

[@david-fletcher]

The main thing I take from this is how all the greats thought, wrote and played, which is to say; all truly great music is chordal. A great solo comes afterwards…..weaving it’s way through, connecting and outlining each chord.

[@matthollingshead6860]

i love how fast you solo over.these changes and how calmly and deliberately you explain in simple terms how to get the just of soloing over these chords. After many several.years and a couple of decades trying to crack this nut..it feels like its starting to click. Again, your buddha-like demeanor makes it easier to digest!?❤ Thanks!

[@beneunson]

I really appreciate it! Thank you so much 😀

[@ivonsmith4255]

Stunning work as always Ben! But also love your clarity of plying AND explaining!! Great stuff. You’re a legend.

[@beneunson]

I really appreciate it, thank you so much!

[@rdog421]

Excellent analysis and playing! Thank you!

[@beneunson]

Thanks so much!

[@znmaf]

Fantastic lesson !!

[@beneunson]

Thank you so much!

[@matthiasscheffler548]

Very informative and well explained!

[@beneunson]

Thanks Matthias! Always appreciate your support

[@picksalot1]

Beautifully explained and demonstrated. Subscribed 👍

[@beneunson]

Thanks for joining me!

[@newtension]

Love your style man of playing, really inspiring!

[@beneunson]

Thank you so much!

[@alvarocarranzatapia9640]

Es uno de los videos más hermosos que he visto en mi vida!!! Thanks Ben! :D

[@beneunson]

I'm so glad you liked it! Thank you!

[@andreasjonsson5823]

Brilliant video, Ben! Amazing approach to Giant Steps, gonna work on my soloing today 😀

[@beneunson]

Thanks Andreas!

[@mathewg1747]

You made this so entertaining!

[@beneunson]

Glad you liked it!

[@LydianLunch]

Great overview! I found Pat Metheny’s versions of Giant Steps very inspirational. I’m sure you’ve heard them. Most interesting I thought was how he sometimes plays the changes but then also finds more modal ways to float over the changes, while using chromatic phrasing and side slipping. Plus he had the courage to slow it way down and put it over a bossa groove. And this was before anyone else had released a version, I think. Very brave. Thanks Ben.

[@beneunson]

I love Pat's version, it has long been a huge inspiration 😀

[@user-jd5ok1xs5v]

Awesome I'm going to need some more listens very soon..i love your work..❤❤

[@beneunson]

Glad you liked it! 😀

[@MichaelGodinho]

Awesome playing!! ❤

[@beneunson]

Thanks!

[@ManfredElsingBielefeld]

you´re a beast on jazzguitar!Very talented and very clever,thx for your inspirations!

[@beneunson]

thanks so much!

[@shchshzh]

thanks a lot! very clear

[@beneunson]

Thanks for watching!

[@ignacioito8606]

Thank you!

[@beneunson]

Thanks for watching!

[@the-LeoKnightus]

As a jazz ley man and a country guitar picker, I appreciate you breaking down the structure of the theme and motif of what's happening in these 2 pieces.

[@beneunson]

So glad you liked it! Thanks! 😀

[@midi1529]

Ben all very helpful ideas... Sir

[@beneunson]

So glad you liked it!

[@lumpyleg1]

In the second half I like to play all the chords as rising min7 shapes by a tone, i.e over the Fm7-Bb7 Play Fm7 then over the Ebmaj7 play Gm7 then over Amin7 D7 play Amin7 and then over the Gmaj7 play Bm7 etc etc has a great sequential and rising feel to it

[@beneunson]

Great approach! 😀

[@Holden_Stuff]

Ben, I love ya!

[@beneunson]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@cameronpfiffner3415]

Ben, this is so much fun. You’re so gentle and unassuming, sort of like a Mr. Rogers of jazz guitar. Perhaps you could wear a comfy sweater when you do your videos. Thanks for the instruction.

[@beneunson]

Haha thank you so much, I really appreciate it! I might just get a comfy sweater for my next video 😀

[@bobjanetmart506]

yes!

[@fenixfyre]

Ben is one of my favorite guitar players

[@beneunson]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate it!

[@PaulOrtiz]

Do you have a full length version of the slower version? Absolutely loved that.

[@beneunson]

I don't, but I might record one. Thanks for listening!

[@AlexFCarl]

Dude, you always have the best shirts.

[@beneunson]

Haha thanks for watching!

[@GistOfItMedia]

I turned 30 as a guitarist and all the sudden I'm getting jazz improv recommendations from youtube. The algorithm has us all figured out and in this case I'm okay with it

[@beneunson]

Happy Birthday! And thanks for watching! 😀

[@ShawnMlekush-cv4ll]

😮😮😮 Whaaa.....? Incredible!

[@beneunson]

Thanks!

[@Crussman499]

Amazing as usual. I'd love to see a collaboration between you and Matteo Mancuso.

[@beneunson]

Thanks for watching! I would love that!

[@LoveOneAnotherHeSaid]

Young man. On the sax. Go on.

[@pangeaproxima3681]

Impressive!

[@beneunson]

thanks!

[@ozzie-sk9dh]

Great shirt bro'

[@beneunson]

Thanks!

[@George-jo7mi]

Thanks for shredding some light on triads. I play tenor and want to add this approach to my playing.

[@beneunson]

Thanks so much for watching! I hope it was useful for you!

[@user-jd5ok1xs5v]

Thanks

[@beneunson]

Thank you so much for your support!

[@jjguitar3055]

Inspiring lesson and awesome playing. Playing over changes in +300 bpm is hard whether it’s Giant steps or a blues. For Giant steps changes I found Jerry Bergonzi’s book Melodic Structures very useful. It sounds to me also like the same way John Coltrane approached soloing on these changes. Practicing this tune has been an ongoing project for the last 20 years or so on and off, back to it again now I guess. Thanks!

[@beneunson]

Jerry's book is GREAT (all of his books are)!!! 😀

[@xprophet9]

Oh my God! Maestro I just saw this at 4:00 AM…sir you are truly spectacular! I am now a new disciple…

[@beneunson]

I really appreciate it! Thanks for watching!

[@RichardDAUDE]

That Quincy Jones quote had such a "Da Vinci Code" vibe 😱

[@randiseriss]

Great

[@beneunson]

Thanks for watching!

[@akunsosmed6264]

Omg...Beauty Prashing 😊

[@beneunson]

Thank you so much for listening!

[@mariobarrela]

I like to do some close voice leading with the triads and one more cromatic note that glues to the next triad, going always up one triad and down in the next triad. With the triad and the chromatic note we have 4 8th notes.

[@beneunson]

Thanks for sharing your insight! 😀

[@Dilla4life]

Cool Axe!

[@beneunson]

Thanks so much!

[@pippolocascio2145]

Big Ben

[@T1fixFelix]

Great video! Got a new sub from me. Just curious, who's drumming on the slower tempo track you played on in the beginning?

[@beneunson]

Thanks so much for joining me here!

[@lukewilliamsactual3691]

It is relatively easy to play over it horizontally rather than vertically. As pointed out, the key centers form an Eb augmented triad. Just using major scales, spell the Eb augmented triad backward (B,G,Eb) for the first section and forward (Eb,G,B) for the second section. The second section is straight forward II V I progressions. The tricky part is the harmonic rhythm of the first section where key centers change in the middle of the measure.

[@sixmillionaccountssilenced6721]

How is it moving in major 3rds if it's B - G? Shouldn't it be in minor 6ths? I mean the direction does matter. Major third would be the opposite G - B.

[@beneunson]

Great observation, thanks for sharing!

[@SaschaOnBass]

Man!!! Wooooo!

[@beneunson]

Thanks for watching!

[@fabienbourdier9847]

wow man i love your toan

[@beneunson]

Thanks so much for listening!

[@fabienbourdier9847]

@@beneunsonyou're welcome it was a pleasure, i'm not to the level where i can understand this kind of stuff yet theory wise but i'm trying to get some understanding of it before i enter in beginner level of jazz music school in paris next year i'm kind of terrified

[@beneunson]

Don't be terrified, just try to learn as much as you can and play with other musicians as much as possible - I'm sure you'll be fantastic!! 😀

[@fabienbourdier9847]

@@beneunsonthanks for the kind words ! reason why i'm so terrified is that unlike most of my future classmates i started learning my instrument only 4 years ago with no musical background, while my instrumental level is pretty good for 4 years of playing according to the teachers i've seen, i lack the years of practice of reading sheet music, the first course which i'm getting it is teaching the basics but while other will just be reviewing the basics i will be learning them ! I'm glad the 2024 2025 year starts only next september so i'm using the time i have left to try to get as familiar as possible with sheet music and theory so thats why this kind of videos are great even if i don't understand most of it

[@gitarmats]

I remember I had to write and practice a lot of etudes for myself in order to be able to play anything coherent on it in an improv aproaching the higher tempos, but I certainly did not feel free on it. Maybe I should revisit it and see if I can make some more progress.

[@beneunson]

I created a lot of etudes for these changes as well - I definitely found it to be helpful! 😀

[@gitarmats]

@@beneunson Yeah, I really like that method too. Especially for stuff that is meant to be played fast.

[@paulsimon6544]

Kick ass!

[@beneunson]

thanks!

[@paulsimon6544]

@@beneunsonI love playing the tune. Even though it only has three chord centers, it is not an easy composition to create phrases that flow through the changes smoothly. Man 340 bpm is insane and very few could even play the slightest thing that makes sense anywhere near that tempo. Wow

[@Ben180173]

What a great lesson! Instant follow and can you please tell me what guitar that is? It's a beaut!

[@beneunson]

Thanks so much for watching! It's a Frank Brothers: www.frankbrothersguitars.com/

[@mauti8550]

Cool shirt,Ben.

[@beneunson]

Thanks for watching! 😀

[@LM43243]

Incredible playing, I really mean it, but I don't understand how people enjoy listening to jazz and crazy chromatic solo's, never got it. To me it just sounds like random notes, but maybe it gets more interesting if you understand the musicality behind the notes. Jazz listeners out here, what do you think? Really want to like it but I find myself next'ing jazz tunes as soon as the solo's go wild.

[@jameserenberger3425]

I would recommend starting with stuff from the Swing era of jazz before moving to bebop or post-bop stuff. Try Django Reinhardt's "Minor Swing", and Charlie Christian on "Swing to Bop". Those are two of my favorites. If you like those, I recommend listening to anything by those guys, and try Wes Montgomery's version of "Round Midnight". I hope that helps!

[@micoleccionpop8427]

very informative video, btw where you get your shirt fom

[@beneunson]

Thanks so much! Got it from a vintage clothing shop

[@SouvikRoyChowdhury]

hey Ben you're great.... i wanted to know how do you get your tone...??/ what amp and pedals do you use??

[@beneunson]

Thanks so much! I discuss it a bit here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHjIp4tjdt-Lh9E ... but I might make an updated version soon!

[@orson7572]

Was not aware of Harold Shapero, very interesting

[@beneunson]

Fascinating right!?

[@reverb508]

Thanks alot. My face is stuck in a permanent stank face after listening to that solo.

[@beneunson]

So glad you liked it!

[@timhaase3297]

I wonder what you do as a next step after having practiced the triads, Ben!

[@beneunson]

Maybe I'll have to make another video! 😀

[@Zxx459]

Slonimsky book is just exercises book breaking down the division of the scale.

[@CJ-nm8sw]

I understand the general theory but I can't wrap my head about anyone playing these changes this easily. I certainly can't.

[@beneunson]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@jimphilidor9031]

That triad exercise sounds like it could work as some pleasant but weird pop song.

[@beneunson]

Haha I agree!

[@chavruta2000]

what gave me the most trouble was the fact that you never really get a rest and sit on one chord at any time. other songs give you a place to sit for a breather during the form

[@derkjanvangennep4830]

Great lesson! Personally, I think that the Tad Dameron turnaroud might also have been of influence on the changes in Giant Steps...🤔

[@beneunson]

Thanks so much for watching! And yes, a great point!

[@JerryDipstick]

I like your shirt

[@beneunson]

Glad you liked it! Thanks

[@michaelstevens8]

You're absolutely right Ben. It doesn't have to be hard. 16 Bars. 3 Key Centers. Fast Tempo. What makes it hard for some people is not only the fast Tempo. Its the Harmonic Rhythm. Some Key Centers are the equivalent of 1 Measure long. Some are 1 and A Half Measures long. Some are 2 Measures long. When the Tempo and Harmonic Rhythm are Fast, one option is to play 4 Note Scale and Arpeggio Cells in different Patterns. This is what Coltrane did on Giant Steps. For anyone that's interested, please check out the Giant Steps books written by Joe Diorio, Wolf Marshall and Walt Weiskopf. Thanks.

[@beneunson]

You're right! I think it is the fast tempo that can make it hard!! 😀

[@walterhollowayjr.9763]

Coltrane studied with Dennis Sandole.There is a recording of Dennis playing a tune that had these changes before John Coltrane made Giant Steps. This was in the 50's. I think he was influenced by Dennis.

[@beneunson]

Great observation, thanks for watching!

[@richieoftampa994]

Interesting double cut.

[@beneunson]

It's a great guitar, thanks for watching!

[@BenLubin]

Shout out to dude’s shirt

[@beneunson]

😂😂😂

[@alvarocarranzatapia9640]

El salvapantallas de su laptop es una foto del Salar de Uyuni?

[@beneunson]

It's actually a photo I took several years ago of a winter sunset at St Kilda Beach in Melbourne Australia ☀️

[@MrLikeAsatellite]

I would recommend to try to play lines that remotely resemble what one would call a melody.

[@TM-jo4wz]

I read that the reason the piano player was playing sparsely on the original recording was he had never heard it before going into the studio for the recording! How’s that for playing off the cuff first time?

[@beneunson]

Yes indeed! Pretty crazy, right?

[@user-jd5ok1xs5v]

Dig the haircut..

[@honey10music]

Great lesson as usual. what gear are you using? it sounds amazing.thank you

[@beneunson]

Thank you so much! The sounds here are coming from my Frank Brothers Guitar 😀

[@csharp57]

If there were two annoying songs I would delete from the universe, it would be Giant Steps and Freebird 😂

[@bakters]

You are actually better than Mike Stern, whom I remember hearing for the first time almost three decades ago. Okay, I'm not ready to say "better" yet, after refreshing my memory. Surely faster, surely superior on many levels, but let me absorb it a bit more. But damn, you are *good* , like really good! Edit: I wrote too soon. You are better. No questions.

[@beneunson]

I really appreciate it! I played before Mike many times for a few years at The 55 Bar in NYC, it was a wonderful experience. Thanks again for watching 😀

[@gregoryvazquez4625]

Tommy Flanagan was given the music to Giant Steps the day and time of recording whereas Coltrane practiced his ass off to make sure no one outshined him on the album according to musicians close to them at the time.

[@beneunson]

Interesting! Thanks for sharing

[@Romphilon]

Thanks a lot, Ben! I played "Giant steps" about ten years ago in Academy and did record after exam. I practiced in slow tempo in bossa style, it was more comfortable. I used three scales and then try to build some sequences by gluing short {3-4 notes) phrases. Also I added tetrahords, pentatonic and hexatonic. Anyway it took a lot of time and patience but it was really interesting job! Bravo for great performance and lesson!

[@beneunson]

I love Giant Steps as a bossa - that's a great approach you took! Thanks for watching 😀

[@rillloudmother]

I wonder why moments notice isn't lauded as much as giant steps? I find it more challenging.

[@beneunson]

Great question - In many ways, I agree. Somehow I think Giant Steps might have a bit more of a "legend" around it being notoriously difficult... just speculation! Thanks for watching 😀

[@chavruta2000]

maybe there is hope for us mortal guitar players!

[@ignacioito8606]

I used to practice on intervals over G.S. like: 3>5>2...3>5>2 (for each chord or tone) or two different intervals combinations: 3>5>2...5>2>3 etc but it's a total mental masturbation lol

[@marinooliveira4204]

Yo ben cool video but i don't you're just playing triads in your solos Can you go deeper on how you're developing your linear vocabulary in these changes?

[@beneunson]

Going to make a follow-up video soon! Thanks for watching!

[@CommenterFromJupiter]

Maurice Ravel has a composition called "Ondine" which also has a section nearly identical to Giant Steps. Do you ever practice improvising on the keyboard behind you? It'd be fun to hear you play! edit: originally put wrong composition name

[@seanbeadles7421]

Which section lmao

[@pangeaproxima3681]

_Maurice Ravel has a composition called "Bolero"...,_ everybody knows that.

[@CommenterFromJupiter]

@@seanbeadles7421 My mistake. Ondine by Ravel

[@beneunson]

Great observation! I might play some keyboard/piano one day soon!

[@CommenterFromJupiter]

@@beneunson Awesome you're the best man! Love ya!

[@alchemysticgoldmind4164]

Chromatic Mediants!!!

[@smb_plush]

I wonder if Eric Johnson got some of his phrasing tendencies from this piece of music.

[@beneunson]

That's definitely possible!

[@CBGypsy03]

Frank brothers guitar ??

[@beneunson]

It is!

[@CBGypsy03]

@beneunson Sure is pretty :). Very nice playing man.

[@robinr.2233]

Those intervals are not at all comfortable (as is the minor pentatonic scale) on guitar. Ben Eunson is obviously a master of these finger positions. As Ted Greene said, “It’s only difficult until you learn it”. But, learning those fingerings are far more daunting than what most jazz players have under their fingers. Just watching Eunson play makes my hand hurt.

[@guitarlots]

Muscle memory from years of practice. A serious effort made and tons of wood shedding to become an inspiration to everyone. The man is very gifted and remarkable to watch

[@robinr.2233]

@@guitarlots - indeed. Plus being about to reach 5 frets at a time is a blessing.

[@mr.b4444]

Nice playing. But I have to say, I'm a bit fed up of mainly guitarists playing Giant Steps as if they are in a sporting competition. And now that they know how to play it they feel it's some sort of rite of passage. Giant Steps is not that difficult to play. There are many other jazz tunes, ballads included that create a greater challenge. But even with those tunes they are not written for sporting events. And as a fellow guitarist, my personal preference for Giant Steps is without distortion.

[@pangeaproxima3681]

lmao!!!

[@jaredwilliams1031]

Couldn't you just take the Eb minor pentatonic, the B minor pentatonic, and the G minor pentatonic scales, and throw those over the ii-v's in the key centers down a major third from each?

[@beneunson]

You could do that! It works!

[@simongordonx]

Dont believe him He's an alien from a parallel universe.🖖

[@beneunson]

🤣

[@kvnboudreaux]

Just play any note one of them will land

[@beneunson]

Haha you might be right! 😂

[@manwithapan9481]

I dunno it gets to a point where it's just noise 🤷🤷

[@leeDs718]

the best approach for me, is to not approach this piece at all

[@beneunson]

Fair enough!

[@MrJazzharmonie1]

I love your shirt Where did you buy it ? otherwise it's great what you're doing...you're playing too slowly but it's okay...

[@beneunson]

Got it at a local store, thanks so much! 😀

[@j.s.m.5351]

AI has gone too far!

[@beneunson]

🤣🤣🤣

[@Zxx459]

Quincy JONES WEAK ARGUMENT.ABOUT COLTRANE EVERYTHING EVER PLAYED was from the book " IS ABSURD!! The division of the scale..Quincy JONES ALSO USED IT..EVERYONE USED IT N STILL WE USED IT .

[@jazzman1954]

Giant steps should never have been recorded and released. It’s an exercise for improvising musicians. It’s about as interesting as watching athletes do press ups or actors do voice exercises. Unfortunately generations of young wannabe jazzers have now inflicted audiences with attempts to prove their status by performing this ugly exercise in public. I fully appreciate this teachers skills but ask yourself that awkward question; who’s actually going to want to listen to that solo never mind pay to listen to that solo? Ever wondered why jazz went from being Pop music (Louis Armstrong) to the esoteric backwater of unemployed academics (half of the jazz tutor videos on KZbin)?

[@TotalMeltdown2]

Complex? Yes. Pleasing to the ears? No. This song could easily be used as a torture device by the military. Don't get me wrong. I think dissonance can be great when used effectively in music but this is just obnoxious and unpleasant

[@rpalmese]

Great player. However, he must stop looking at himself trying to decide which is the best side of his face, left or right? Left or right? Funny and distracting. Great player, though…