Something really big to notice on this video: Michael sings the improvised line @13:59! That is a huge insight into how he's thinking about this...his fingers are always following what he hears in his head. Most people trying to learn to play don't pay enough attention to this skill...the guy has a great ear...he hears it before he plays it.
How right you are! He’s very gifted all round. My head is steaming. There’s work to do. This piece is one of the most challenging compositions ever written; it soon shows what mettle the player is made of. All the best.
That's an incredible insight and observation at the start, the part about the V of the major 3rd below. Removing the V got me to observe only the maj7 chords, which are always Bmaj7, Ebmaj7 and Gmaj7 of which the roots look like the augment chords B+ or Eb+ or G+ which are all the same chord. The V for each is a way to get to the next maj7. Wow, this piece is finally making sense to me. Thank you so much!!!
I thought the best had passed, then that chromatic approach was the sweetest of them all imo! Thank you so much for offering this video. The pursuit of Giant Steps seems to be one of the themes holding my life together.
Thanks Mr. Wollf I never tackled this song. I've always worked on standards but, I never went to Coltrane and now I feel like I have to do it, I found that it can be tricky playing through the changes, you have to get used to them because they're not your typical 2-5-1 progressions or two fives and improvising is another ball game. You really broke it down, I love the double whole tone scale and the way It just fits. You are also showing musicians that they don't have to be afraid to share their knowledge with others, it is better to give than receive. Many blessings back to you.
To improvise on any song, you have to know it inside out! I hope you always have a great Piano to play on. Techniques to get through what is initially a difficult situation. An understatement! Thanks for sharing this; it'll help many folks!
I agree and disagree! If you know what key or keys it in you can solo over any song! Mow with prosgive jazz it would be to your benefit to know the song well!
I knew this guy seemed REALLY familiar... He's Nat and Alex Wolff's father. I was looking for videos on solo concepts over the chord changes in Giant Steps, and I just happened to stumble on this video. This is quite amazing. Excellent video and very comprehensive.
Man, I remember seeing Michael Wolff on Nick for the Naked Brothers Band when I was a kid, never knew he was a jazz pianist though! Thanks for the tips.
+No Name Michael was the bandleader/keyboardist for The Arsenio Hall show from 1989-1994 (the first incarnation of the show). BONUS FUN FACT: The movie "The Tic Code" is loosely based on Michael's life when he was a kid.
This blew my mind open to so many ideas to let out, all i was doing was playing the 3 pentatonics but this was so packed and dense thank you sooo very much your both very smart and your really good at piano, i was impressed when you transposed it in like 2 seconds! Thank you again very much
This is such an awesome video; really sends my mind into all kinds of cool directions ... not to mention; it was wonderful just to listen and watch as you two explored. Gosh, i wish you were my neighbor.
I relate to this feeling. If you can find time to watch tv or something else that you think you may be able to live without, try substituting it with half an hour of practice a day (more if possible). Believe it or not, the more you practice "practicing" the easier and more fun it gets to do it day after day. It switches from a hassle to a release where you can tune your craft. You might not ever be as good as these guys, but you could get pretty good. I know I'll probably never be as good some of the big time players out there, but I'll settle for what I can get :)
Hey Mike great video! Greetings from your cousins in VA! Keep up the great work. We have loved following your career over the years! I'm a jazz hack, but I play 3-4 gigs a month locally here, in and around DC. Electric bass. Its great fun. I can't devote as much time to it as I would like, but I enjoy every minute of it. Giant Steps is one I am trying to get my head around. Thanks for he help!
Wow Michael your amazing. Wanted to ask if you had future plans on making jazz DVD on learning jazz songs covering voicing progressions licks and scales to master each jazz song. Thanks so much this video was helpful...
I can't believe that I'm actually able to almost follow all of that the first time through, I must be learning. What I'd love to see now is a bit of explanation to the rthymic and harmonic plottings of the left hand. Like, how are you striking those base chords and tones rhythmically and how are you spelling those voicings, especially with respect to the 10ths...loved the bits of humor, but the dual black shirts, don't know about that.
Hi Michael Wolff big fan of your playing..I was going to ask if you could do more videos of songs and explain what scales and licks go with what chord voicings and progressions...thanks so much...
@Brett Rangsenola I think you got mixed up. That would be the Bb lydian mode because it is the 4th scale degree of F major. Mixolydian would be the f major scale but started on C
It's not just the scales but it's the rhythmic part of giant steps is difficult because you Gotta know when to switch the scale and so that is a major thing lol
Si alguien se animaría a aportar con el subtitulado en español, definitivamente se llevaría muchos likes de parte de nosotros los hispanos hablantes. Saludos!!
Hi Michael! How are you doing? I want to thank you for your advices on Autumn Leaves, I could pick them up rather, easily I remember that 11/2 year ago I wasn't ready for them, I also try to applie the McCoyTynr doimnant and 4ths chords For dominants I try L.H b2 5 8 and than right hand any Triad or like 4ths like b13 b9 7 for instance F7 autumn Leaves like L.H.: Gb c f R.H Db Ab Eb, I study Giant Steps like 25 years so this is easy to follow but nice insights the alteredscale over 4 chords I didn't kwo that trick, What abou this one? Ebm7-Ab7 I Bm7 D7 I as the 1st 2 bars alterations than all II V skip the V and play the major 7 as IIIm7 for instance Fm7 Bb7 Ebmaj7 is played like: Fm7 I Gm711 this also makes it alot more easy to play...the tritones are bit weird in the beginning...but the II V is in my opinion a great trick too?
i hear u chief, in the summer of '75,i kept YES Close to the edge, MILES Nefertiti and Bartok 2nd violin concerto on my turntable EXCLUSIVELY and i got better....quickly
The material is invaluable !...very clear..Fantastic! but i have an input; Unfourtunately their position is not right...the moderator should be in front of Mike Wolf, not behind him...
I got it and it's perfect but now I'm not sure I know the chords I'm playing. Someone said to me, "HEY, I didn't know you knew how to play 'Giant Steps'" and I said, "well, I don't!" ...but I can make it sound like I know and that must be good for somethin'
Nobody ever gets this right. Coltrane designed the first two phrases to be played over a descending whole-tone bass line, i.e. B/B - D7/A - G/G - Bb7/F - Ebmaj7 -----A-7-D7------ G/G - Bb7/F - Eb/Eb - F#7/C# - Bmaj7/B It's a huge part of the conceptual basis of the tune, surprising how little known it is.
Thank you! Thank you! and Thank you'll again; will you guys (who is your co-theorist) be making more videos? This is very helpful in organizing a tune for improvising. Great job! Michael, I have learned so much from your other videos that you posted, particularly the "The 5 Harmonic Systems" Will you be strikin' up the band again on Arsenio's new show?Just wonderin':) Peace
Hey, question. You said that you were playing the mixolydian scales for example Bb mix is Eb.....however isnt the mixolydian the fifth scale degree? so Bb would be the F scale starting on Bb? Maybe Im just confused....theory can be a bit daunting.....
