Introduction Hello you Saxy people!

[disco_volante]

Hi there. I regestered on this site because of the great pages on music theory but have to admit that I'm not very saxy at all - as I play the guitar. However I am in the process of transcribing "Giant Steps" and must say that I find it an extremely challenging tune. I can just about play Coltrane's solos up to speed but haven't got a prayer when it comes to improvising anthing of my own over those quick key changes, even though i've lean't the appropriate scales etc. Does anyone play this tune on a regular basis and does it ever become easy? Any words of reassurance or general tips on how to approach improvising on a tune such as this would be greatly appreciated. :S

 

[Pete Thomas]

Hi and welcome. Not at all necessary to be 'saxy" here.

Giant Steps is a tune I no longer try to play, but if you like the idea of playing scales to fit the changes it is easier when you work out that there are really 3 "key centers" in this tune.

i.e. Gm7-C7-F is all scale of F, Bm7-E7-A is all scale of A, and Ebm7-Ab7-Db is all scale of Db. Of course that's a rather unmusical way of doing it, better to play melodically IMO,. but it's a good way to start with this tune.

 

[Bobby G]

Hi Disco Volante, welcome from Herts. Very good luck with the Trane transcription, rather you than me!!

Cheers, Bob

 

[disco_volante]

Thanks for the tip Pete. One problem I'm having is that by the time ive thought of something to play over one key centre its already changed to another! Yikes!

 

[Pete Thomas]

Try it as a ballad then

 

[disco_volante]

Yeah....maybe I'm trying to run before I can walk.

Cheers

 

[Pete Thomas]

I don't even try running anymore, walking can be quite tough!

 

[ken]

Welcome Disco Volante and greetings from windy Spain.

 

[ken]

Pete Thomas wrote:
Try it as a ballad then

Pete, IS there a ballard version... recording/clip?. I'm really interested in hearing it.

 

[Pete Thomas]

I don't know of one, maybe it could be your recording project for us

 

[ken]

Pete Thomas wrote:
I don't know of one, maybe it could be your recording project for us

Pete,

I was kind of hoping that you'd offer to blow a clip of it in ballad style. I can't really imagine it, but would definitely like to hear how it's done and get some ideas of how to apply it to other things... any chance please????

Recording is still a sore subject, not that I've had much time lately. I have two identical PC's, one has a new MOBO following my last recording exploits, but both machines put a hell of a lot of echo a distortion on anything I try to record. I "think" I have narrowed it down to the Xear 3D sound application and/or the CCTV camera card that's installed.

 

[disco_volante]

I would like to hear it as a ballad too. From listening to the three takes of Giant Steps ive got on the CD it seems to me that Coltrane uses some rehearsed phrases which he repeates and variates on a number of times as well as scale and arpeggio ideas that are played in a reasonably linear way. (This is my own analysis which is in no way qualified by lots of experience or academic training, I hasten to add). Is it fair to say that the speed of the original recording may impinge on one's ability to fully explore the melodic possibilities of the chord crogression? If this is the case a ballad version would give a bit more scope to "stretch out" melodically and rhythmically. In other words - it would be good.

God, I wish I could say things a bit more concisely.

 

[saxismyaxe]

Hi Disco,
Not to interrupt your discussion, but I wanted to take this time to welcome you to the forums. Carry on. 😉

 

[disco_volante]

Thanks for the welcome Michael. After seeing your forum name 8)
I was almost tempted to call myself Axeismysax (as I'm a guitarist) but thought that might be a bit cheaky! 😉

 

[ken]

Ken wrote:

Pete, I was kind of hoping that you'd offer to blow a clip of it in ballad style. ........ any chance please????

Is that a NO then Pete?

 

[Pete Thomas]

Ken wrote:

Ken wrote:

Pete, I was kind of hoping that you'd offer to blow a clip of it in ballad style. ........ any chance please????

Is that a NO then Pete?

Er..No

 

[Bobby G]

Pete Thomas wrote:

Ken wrote:

Ken wrote:

Pete, I was kind of hoping that you'd offer to blow a clip of it in ballad style. ........ any chance please????

Is that a NO then Pete?

Er..No

Is that 'no' a no to the previous no, or an absolute no?

Confused, Bob

 

[ken]

I was wondering that too Bob, but was to afraid to ask :S

 

[Bobby G]

I have stared into the void, and it has stared back at me. I have no fear.

I suspect, however, that the answer to the original question is going to be a resounding 'no'.

Fearlessly yours, Bob

 

[ken]

I'd logged it as one of Pete's evasive answers er'ing towards the 'yes' with a hint of definate maybe.

It actually brings me to another curiousity... I've often noticed that pro's (in many arenas) tend to be hesitant to do such things. A friend of mine (brilliant guitarist) usually refuses to perform off the cuff. I've heard comments such as 'prostituting' the proffession by giving it away. I can't work it out or relate to it, is it mercinary or what. I have zero talent and still can't be stopped making a fool outta me'self at any given chance. Seems the amatuers/learners are more likely to 'have a go'.... why's that????