Shortbook™ of the Month: RETROSTEPS - The Cycle of ASCENDING Major 3rds
“RETROSTEPS – The Cycle of ASCENDING Major 3rds” is an expression of some of the relationships and subsequent ideas I've stumbled upon while coming to grips - and having fun - with the legendary John Coltrane's so called “Giant Steps Changes” (aka “Coltrane Changegs”), and known technically as the “Cycle of DESCENDING Major 3rds”.
Coltrane's original intention for this cycle was as a harmonic substitution device that would take him “out of the ordinary path”, meaning the common ii-V7 cadences that most standards and jazz tunes were (and are) based on.
Retrosteps is a further variation of the Major 3rd cycle – the “Cycle of ASCENDING Major 3rds” - the directional description in caps being of primary importance.
Coltrane's original intention for this cycle was as a harmonic substitution device that would take him “out of the ordinary path”, meaning the common ii-V7 cadences that most standards and jazz tunes were (and are) based on.
Retrosteps is a further variation of the Major 3rd cycle – the “Cycle of ASCENDING Major 3rds” - the directional description in caps being of primary importance.
Both descending and ascending versions of the cycle consist of Major triads, 6th or 7th chords and divide the octave into three equal parts (as does the notes of an augmented triad). Each successive Maj. chord is preceded by its respective dominant 7th chord. Both progressions move clockwise around the circle.
In a four bar melodic sequence - on which the exercises in this book are based (3 bar cycle, plus 1 bar ii-V7 turnaround) – each version of the cycle would be spelled as follows:
Cycle of DESCENDING Major 3rds
||: B D7 | G Bb7 | Eb F#7 | B F#7 :||
Cycle of ASCENDING Major 3rds
||: B Bb7 | Eb D7 | G7 F#7 | B F#7 :||
||: B D7 | G Bb7 | Eb F#7 | B F#7 :||
Cycle of ASCENDING Major 3rds
||: B Bb7 | Eb D7 | G7 F#7 | B F#7 :||
A closer look reveals that the only real difference between the two forms is that the order of the first and second V7-I pairs (D7 – G & Bb7 – Eb) are reversed.
Everything else remains identical!
This “switcheroo” into the Ascending Cycle opens up a whole new realm of possible melodic connection & resolution points between each V7 & I chord, as well as between each I chord and its following V7.
It should be noted that the B Section of the tune “Giant Steps” is based upon a progression of Ascending Maj. 3rds, with each Maj. chord as well as its ii-V7, lasting a full measure of 4/4, as opposed to 2 beats apiece per chords in “The Cycles”. The subject at hand here is not "Giant Steps" the tune; but rather the cycle that Coltrane used to compose it (and others), and its variant.
As with “Coltrane Changes”, a plethora of possible 4-note “digital” patterns are available, useful and even necessary; although the usual melodic connection points (normally a half or whole step between chords which best support a smooth melodic flow) will have shifted.
The Good News is: a slew of altered dominant, whole tone & diminished material will be available for good use.
Another interesting Retrosteps phenomenon is the possible reversal of the descending whole tone bass line, as found originally in Coltrane's “Satellite”: G Bb7/F | Eb F#7/C# | B D7/A | G alternating root and 5th in the bass.
Below is a harmonized example from the book, of a Retrosteps ascending whole tone bass line, alternating the 3rd and 5th of each chord in the cycle. It works very well with the example's descending melodic line, made up of familiar diminished scale fragments.
Everything else remains identical!
This “switcheroo” into the Ascending Cycle opens up a whole new realm of possible melodic connection & resolution points between each V7 & I chord, as well as between each I chord and its following V7.
It should be noted that the B Section of the tune “Giant Steps” is based upon a progression of Ascending Maj. 3rds, with each Maj. chord as well as its ii-V7, lasting a full measure of 4/4, as opposed to 2 beats apiece per chords in “The Cycles”. The subject at hand here is not "Giant Steps" the tune; but rather the cycle that Coltrane used to compose it (and others), and its variant.
As with “Coltrane Changes”, a plethora of possible 4-note “digital” patterns are available, useful and even necessary; although the usual melodic connection points (normally a half or whole step between chords which best support a smooth melodic flow) will have shifted.
The Good News is: a slew of altered dominant, whole tone & diminished material will be available for good use.
Another interesting Retrosteps phenomenon is the possible reversal of the descending whole tone bass line, as found originally in Coltrane's “Satellite”: G Bb7/F | Eb F#7/C# | B D7/A | G alternating root and 5th in the bass.
Below is a harmonized example from the book, of a Retrosteps ascending whole tone bass line, alternating the 3rd and 5th of each chord in the cycle. It works very well with the example's descending melodic line, made up of familiar diminished scale fragments.
Listen
A line in 4ths with a "regular" Retrosteps bass line.
....and one more for the road!
Listen
The exercises, lines, patterns and sequences in this book have been organized according to the root, 3rd, 5th, as well as the 6th, 7th & 9th of each sequence's initial Major chord as starting points, and transposed to all keys. Each key has its own chapter (see TOC).
The material in each of these publications should aid in broadening one's understanding, appreciation and skill level in negotiating melodic lines through both variations of the Cycle of Major 3rds.
As was John Coltrane's original intention, it will guide you “out of the ordinary path”
The material in each of these publications should aid in broadening one's understanding, appreciation and skill level in negotiating melodic lines through both variations of the Cycle of Major 3rds.
As was John Coltrane's original intention, it will guide you “out of the ordinary path”
B. Stern
The original edition of "RETROSTEPS" has been revised, updated and combined with "Changin' Trane's" into a deluxe edition of
"Changin' Trane's / Retrosteps" (click for more examples)
"Changin' Trane's / Retrosteps" (click for more examples)
Click images to enlarge
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