Visiting the Giant Steps near Harpswell, Maine

by Jack Brummet

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The Robot Vs. John Coltrane - Playing Giant Steps

This is a video of a robot in Japan playing John Coltrane's amazing "Giant Steps." To hear John Coltrane play the same tune, see the post immediately below this one (or, go here). The robotic version, is of course, rote and totally lacking in the dynamics and variety--and maybe, especially, the insane energy--of 'Trane's incredible solo. Clearly, they used the notation from Trane's solo, and it is more or less in the same rhythmic time, It shows both how great John Coltrane actually was, and how far automated music still has to go.



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John Coltrane: an unbelievable video of Giant Steps

Giant Steps is an early John Coltrane song. This video by Dan Cohen matches the notation to his actual playing in real time. I don't know if it's software, or hand-done.

It's interesting at the head of the song, but when John takes his solo, it becomes completely insane, and beautiful. I never really thought about it before, but this tune is just one hairy solo, bracketed by a short beginning and end (well, a little piano soloing too). Giant Steps is, as I said, early Coltrane, before he put his incredible quartet together. This is a must see video!


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