“Changin' Trane's / Retrosteps”
New Edition Revised & Combined
New Edition Revised & Combined
This edition of “Changin' Trane's / Retrosteps” combines two previous volumes - “Changing Trane's” and “Retrosteps” - a collection of sequences and exercises based on the “Cycle of Major 3rds” - both Descending (aka “Coltrane Changes” or “Giant Steps Changes”) and Ascending (dubbed here as “Retrosteps” or “Reverse Coltrane Changes”).
The vast majority of sequences here have been tweaked, updated and improved from the originals.
For blog posts describing the original editions of each book, follow the links for each title above. Further examples are given below.
The vast majority of sequences here have been tweaked, updated and improved from the originals.
For blog posts describing the original editions of each book, follow the links for each title above. Further examples are given below.
Both Descending and Ascending Cycles divide the octave evenly into 3 Maj tonal areas which are proceeded by their respective dominant 7th chords.
Descending: C Eb7-Ab B7-E G-C
Ascending: C B7-E Eb7-Ab G-C
John Coltrane originally conceived of the Descending cycle as a chord substitution device for the regular ii-V7-I cadence found in virtually all standard tunes.
Each cycle is presented as a 4-bar sequence, the first three measures being the full 3-bar cycle - resolving to the tonic chord in the fourth bar for 2 beats, moving to the V7 for 2 beats - which then resolves back to the tonic in the first bar of the same or next line. They've been organized, per key, according to the starting notes of their first Major chord – Root, 3rd, 5th & 6th, (7th or 9th), as well as a page devoted to expressing the Descending Cycle with a single Augmented Scale.
Ex.1 – Descending Cycle (Coltrane Changes) starting on the Root of the initial Major chord. The numerical sequence is Root-5-3-6 for each of the cycle's Maj chords and 3-5-9-b7 for each dom7.
Rhythmic variation between measures spares the monotony of continuous eighth-notes.
Descending: C Eb7-Ab B7-E G-C
Ascending: C B7-E Eb7-Ab G-C
John Coltrane originally conceived of the Descending cycle as a chord substitution device for the regular ii-V7-I cadence found in virtually all standard tunes.
Each cycle is presented as a 4-bar sequence, the first three measures being the full 3-bar cycle - resolving to the tonic chord in the fourth bar for 2 beats, moving to the V7 for 2 beats - which then resolves back to the tonic in the first bar of the same or next line. They've been organized, per key, according to the starting notes of their first Major chord – Root, 3rd, 5th & 6th, (7th or 9th), as well as a page devoted to expressing the Descending Cycle with a single Augmented Scale.
Ex.1 – Descending Cycle (Coltrane Changes) starting on the Root of the initial Major chord. The numerical sequence is Root-5-3-6 for each of the cycle's Maj chords and 3-5-9-b7 for each dom7.
Rhythmic variation between measures spares the monotony of continuous eighth-notes.
Listen
Ex.2 - Descending Cycle starting on the 5th of the initial Major chord – 5-R-6-3 for the Maj chords – b7-9-3-5 for the first dom7 and b7-9-13-5 for the next two.
Listen
Ex.3 – Descending Cycle sequence consisting exclusively of material from the symmetric Augmented Scale - which like the Cycle of Maj 3rds, divides the octave into 3 equal parts. In this example, 3 Maj & an inverted Augmented triad per measure combine to negotiate the cycle.
Listen
Ex.4 – Ascending Cycle (Retrosteps), beginning on the Root of the initial Maj chord. Intervallic connectivity (voice leading) between key centers is smooth (2nds & 4ths).
Listen
Ex.5 – Ascending Cycle, beginning with the 5th of the Maj chord. Descending scalar shape 5-3-2-1 & 9-b7-6-5 for Maj and Dom7, respectively – holds for each of the first 3 measures.
Listen
Ex.6 - "226 Retrosteps" is an experimental reharmonization of Coltrane's "26-2" using the Ascending Cycle. Explanations and analysis can be found in this earlier blog post. Concert, Bb & Eb parts are included at the end of the book.
Listen
The material presented in “Changin' Trane's / Retrosteps” wasn't transcribed directly from any one particular source. Rather, it's a result of years of listening to the masters - plus many hours of practice and assimilation. It should aid in broadening one's understanding, appreciation and skill level in creating and negotiating melodic lines through both variants of the Cycle of Major 3rds.
I sincerely hope you get the same benefit from it as I have and do.
As was John Coltrane's original intention, “Changin' Trane's / Retrosteps” should help guide you “out of the ordinary path” and into your own imagination.
B. Stern
I sincerely hope you get the same benefit from it as I have and do.
As was John Coltrane's original intention, “Changin' Trane's / Retrosteps” should help guide you “out of the ordinary path” and into your own imagination.
B. Stern
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