Jazz lead sheet · Advanced
Giant Steps
Coltrane's three-tonic system: B, G and E♭, a major 3rd apart, connected by quick dominants.
- Composer
- John Coltrane
- Form
- 16 bars
- Key
- B major
- Style
- Swing
- Length
- 16 bars
AB majorG major
Imaj7B Ionian
V7D Mixolydian
Imaj7G Ionian
V7B♭ Mixolydian
Imaj7E♭ Ionian
ii7A Dorian
V7D Mixolydian
E♭ major
Imaj7G Ionian
V7B♭ Mixolydian
Imaj7E♭ Ionian
V7F♯ Mixolydian
Imaj7B Ionian
ii7F Dorian
V7B♭ Mixolydian
BG majorB major
Imaj7E♭ Ionian
ii7A Dorian
V7D Mixolydian
Imaj7G Ionian
ii7C♯ Dorian
V7F♯ Mixolydian
E♭ majorB major
Imaj7B Ionian
ii7F Dorian
V7B♭ Mixolydian
Imaj7E♭ Ionian
ii7C♯ Dorian
V7F♯ Mixolydian
For students
What to notice
- Three tonal centres divide the octave into equal major 3rds: B, G and E♭.
- Each key is reached by its own V7 (D7 → G, B♭7 → E♭, F♯7 → B) or by a ii–V.
- The first eight bars move fast (two chords per bar), and the second eight settle into ii–V–Is.
Practice plan
Three steps to improvising
- Play only the three tonic chords (Bmaj7, Gmaj7, E♭maj7) and hear the major-3rd cycle.
- Use 1–2–3–5 patterns on each chord. This is the "Coltrane pattern".
- Practise slowly: the key menu can move it to a friendlier key first.
For teachers
Using this chart in class
- Project the chart with Play along running and loop one section while students find the guide tones.
- Choose Practice → Name the numerals for a whole-class quiz: students vote, then reveal the explanation.
- Mixed ensemble? Print the worksheet once per transposition: B♭, E♭, F and bass clef parts all line up bar for bar.
- Share a link: the key, instrument and view you choose are saved in the address bar.
Chord changes are common performance versions written out by Music Theory Lessons. No melodies or lyrics are reproduced. Names of songs and composers are used only to identify each tune.