Hi Folks,

Well, it comes a little early this year, but my summer sabbatical starts with this final post.

The User Tracks Contest got by me somehow and I'm gonna get started creating some.

It's been about 20 years since I did any web design and, evidently, things have changed massively. Our good Forum friends Noel96 and Ian Plante (aka sixchannel) were very helpful in bringing this to my attention. A lot of catching up to do.

And, have you ever seen a User's Manual with such a clever, maze-like design that, for any question, all attempts to follow a path to the answer lead back to the question? Well, I purchased a Hammond SK-1, a 16 pound B3-in-a-breadbox. It appears to be more complicated to operate than the space shuttle. My keyboard chops are suffering and I've just described the manual. This needs attention.

The present tune, considered "revolutionary" when John Coltrane first played Giant Steps, is now a standard torture device for all those in Jazz Studies: Learn it in all 12 keys at 300 bpm. OK, I cheat a little here and poke along at 280.

I don't know if Coltrane was aware of it, but a formal analysis of the harmonic structure shows that a third 4-bar chorus, not present in the original https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr0Tfng9SP0, follows logically from the first two 4 bar-choruses. This "missing chorus" is included in

GIGANTIC STEPS https://soundcloud.com/aleckrand/gigantic-steps-coltranes-missing-chorus

Style: MilesDFastJazz.sty
RealBass and RealDrums

Later, everyone. Enjoy the summer.

Hi Dean,

outstanding playing. And a fantastic idea to make the circle
complete.
I will miss you during your summer break.
Give us a glimpse to your progress in web design.
See you later.

Guenter

Hi, Dean !

Unearthly playing !!:))
You´re the best !!

I am going to miss you
buddy too ! Who is going
to play the solo to my
next jazz tune ?

Have a great summer !!!!:))
May this tune from 1992
follow you on your vacation ?

http://app.box.com/s/zjfc0ri8dl99er510gk1

Cheers
Dani

Dang, Dean!

every time I start thinking maybe I'll post something, you raise the bar to a new and even more unattainable level!

But don't stop, because your songs are awesome!

(LOVED THAT ENDING)

Simply amazing, as usual! Take care and enjoy the journey:)

Hey Dean, terrific playing as usual, great tribute to the "Train". You know, I'm not sure that this geniuses actually preoccupied themselves with mathematical structures issues, they juts play!
Have a wonderful summer, can't wait till you're back.

Mike B.

Dean,
I'm curious to know whose analysis suggested the changes you made? If it was YOUR analysis, I and even more impressed than before!

hi aleck great job you blow me away now that's real jazz playing great tune hope your back soon thanks for sharing eric

Hi Guenter,

Your positive and advisory comments are always received with pleasure. I hope you enjoy the summer as well.

Dean

Hey Mike,

You're right about that. I don't think Coltrane needed the mathematics because, somehow, it was already built into his fingers. On the other hand, given Trane's towering stature, discovering something new about one his most notable tunes is ... well ... pretty cool!

Man, one of these days its gonna get a little warmer up here and I can finally take my parka off. I'm so tired of sleeping in that thing.

As Ah-nold said, " Ay'll be beck!"

Dean

Really cool stuff! Love the way you play that guitar! Always a pleasure to listen to your posts. Take care. Greg

Hi Dani,

Well, I'm willing to agree with you that I really am the best when it comes to one aspect of guitar playing: No one - and I mean NO ONE - can cut themselves to ribbons and draw more blood by putting on a new set of strings than I can. Especially on that 12-string.

I never change strings anymore. I take the thing to Guitar Center and let the kid do it. They see me and think I'm some old gleep bringing his daughter's guitar in for a new set, so they don't charge me too much. Sweet!

Dean

Hey Greg,

You are extremely kind. I thought this one would drop like a stone off the page mainly because even Forum members who like Jazz aren't that enthusiastic about billion-note, machine-gun soloing. Frankly, I can't blame them.

As I mentioned, the main purpose of Giant Steps today is to torment students involved in University level Jazz Programs. It is really the most pleasant surprise that so many folks thought I covered the changes pretty good.

Thanks,

Dean

Dean, those are some amazing chops!

This is fantastic!

Dean, Wow man

Sensational playing! hard to beat that!

Trevor

I can't begin to hang with you guys re the analytical aspects of this tune....but I trust my instincts when it come to recognizing great chops. We much enjoyed the listen very much and wish you the best with the upcoming endeavors!

Mario,

Thanks buddy. It was an experiment that actually worked. Giant Steps, which doesn't have much of a melody - it's all changes - turned out to be a perfect vehicle for learning scales, modes, 2-5's, what the "circle of fifths" is all about, etc. That may be the reason it has become an academic staple.

Hope you're enjoying spring or summer while I wait for one of 'em - I'll take either - to arrive.

Later,

Dean

Thanks Janice and Bud,

Very kind of you. I trust that the two of you will continue to turn out one great tune after another, and I look forward to joinin' back up with y'all in the fall.

Dean

masterful!!! I love it!

Ok, that's the real deal right there!

Nice stuff.

Since this is an older thread, I'll bookend it by hoping you had a nice summer.

Dean,

We missed this one somehow. What a great performance. A tip of the hat and a standing O!!!!

Alan & Di