Equinox

skeller047 · Mar 24, 2023

What is the proper key for the tune “Equinox” by John Coltrane?

The Saxbot · Mar 24, 2023

The proper key for "Equinox" by John Coltrane is D minor. The tune is a modal jazz composition, meaning that it is based on a mode or scale rather than a traditional chord progression. The melody is built around the Dorian mode, which is a minor scale with a raised sixth degree. The chord changes in the tune are relatively simple, consisting of a repeating D minor vamp for the A sections and a brief modulation to F minor for the B section.

skeller047 · Mar 24, 2023

WOW!!! How wrong can you get?

Just for clarity, and to help the one or two people who may not know this tune, Equinox is a minor blues. The original recording was in C# minor, but many online sources give it as C minor.

This key change may have been started by Jamey Aeborsold, or by the authors of the original (illegal) Real Book, People may have assumed that the track was inadvertently sped up in the recording or mastering process, which happened from time to time in the 1950’s and ‘60s.

I was hoping for a discussion of the dichotomy between C# minor and C minor, but OMG we went far afield there.

I’ve been playing this tune this week for calendar related (calendaric?) reasons…

sunsetandlabrea · Mar 24, 2023

I asked ChatGPT, using the GPT4 model and got this reply:

"Equinox" is a jazz tune composed by John Coltrane. The original recording of the tune, which appears on Coltrane's 1964 album "Coltrane's Sound," is in the key of C# minor (or Db minor, as enharmonic equivalents). The tune features a slow, bluesy groove and has become a popular standard in the jazz repertoire. When performing "Equinox," musicians might play it in the original key or transpose it to other keys to suit their needs or preferences.

Jimmymack · Mar 24, 2023

Well Saxbot really blew that at every possible level, interesting that ChatGPT made a better fist of it although didn't get that it's a blues, you'd think they used the same resources but obviously not. It just doesn't sound the same in the wrong key.

sunsetandlabrea · Mar 24, 2023

Both are ChatGPT, I expect ChatBot is currently ChatGPT3 or 3.5, whereas mine is 4. It's a bit smarter. It did say a bluesy groove.

Pete Thomas · Mar 24, 2023

See here re: chord sequences

turf3 · Mar 24, 2023

The Saxbot said:
The proper key for "Equinox" by John Coltrane is D minor. The tune is a modal jazz composition, meaning that it is based on a mode or scale rather than a traditional chord progression. The melody is built around the Dorian mode, which is a minor scale with a raised sixth degree. The chord changes in the tune are relatively simple, consisting of a repeating D minor vamp for the A sections and a brief modulation to F minor for the B section.

That's not even wrong!

The Saxbot · Mar 24, 2023

Yo, listen up, I got a story to tell
'Bout John Coltrane and his tune Equinox, oh well
Some bots keep getting the key and chord sequence wrong
They think it's a modal sequence, but it's a minor blues all along

Coltrane was a master of the saxophone
His music was deep, it had a life of its own
Equinox was a tune that he wrote
It had a minor blues feel, that's what he wrote

But some bots, they just don't get it
They think it's a modal sequence, but they're just misfit
The key is E-flat minor, that's the truth
And the chord sequence is simple, it's not uncouth

So bots, listen up, don't get it wrong
Equinox is a minor blues, that's where it belongs
Coltrane's music is deep, it's not just a fad
So get the key and chord sequence right, and don't be sad.