Coltranes Harmony

The masterwork Giant Steps by John Coltrane was a landmark in harmonic approaches used in jazz compositions and soloing. It is generally rumored that Coltrane studied a book by Nicolas Slonimsky, Thesaurus of Scales and Patterns (Macmillan Publishers). Included in the studies of the book are patterns and harmonies that are created by dividing the octave or octaves into equal parts. One such exercise Slonimsky calls a Quadritone Progression which is the equal division of two octaves into three parts. This also can be viewed as two ascending major thirds.

Here it is in the key that Giants Steps is in;

Another view is in descending major thirds

It seems Coltrane took these pitches as tonal centers and proceeded the I chords with V7 or II/V7. Here is an analysis of Giant Steps

This is not the first tune to use this device. Many songs used third movements for brief periods of time usually just a few measures. The bridge of Have You Met Miss Jones is an exception as having an 8 measures of key centers moving in thirds.

Using the Idea

Starting with something familiar such as a two, five, one progression is best.

Here is the usual way this idea is applied, moving through descending major third tonal centers using the V and I chord of each tonal center

Major 3rd

Major 3rd

Major 3rd

Coltrane Chromatic
Using major scale fragments, 1-2-3-4-5 on each of the tonal centers suggested by the Quadritone Progression (two ascending major thirds) yields an interesting result. Here it is starting on A
Two major thirds ascending A to F

What makes this interesting is that if you were to collect the notes played in the 3 scale fragments ant put them in alphabetical (chromatic) order you end up with a chromatic scale. The sequence produced in this technique is one of increasing tension as you move from the first to last note (A to Ab). The last A was added to give a sense of resolution. Each fragment adds to the tension of the chord if you are playing over an A7. A B C# D E F G A Bb C Db Eb F Gb Ab A rd th th rd th Root 9 3 Sus4 5 #5 7 Root Flat9 Sharp9 3 Flat5 #5 13 Maj7 Root

This sequence requires that the chord context be fairly complex in order for it to work. The context of the music has a powerful effect on the correctness of this sound. In other words, use this when the chords are right, i.e., altered dominants and the genre is appropriate for this sound. Dont use it when playing music that doesnt take kindly to harmonic exploration.