What was special about John Coltrane?

John Coltrane was an acclaimed American saxophonist, bandleader and composer, becoming an iconic figure of jazz in the 20th century with albums like ‘Giant Steps,’ ‘My Favorite Things’ and ‘A Love Supreme.

What kind of person was John Coltrane?

Coltrane’s personality, Ratliff said, made him an unlikely star: “He was quiet, generous, even-tempered, honest, unjudgmental . . .

Did John Coltrane know music theory?

Despite the depth of his study, Coltrane spoke very little on musical theory. His knowledge in the field is reflected rather more in his legendary compositions.

Who did John Coltrane influence?

Coltrane influenced such rock mavericks as Frank Zappa and Jimi Hendrix. Miles Davis said having him in his band was like hiring three saxophone players in one.

How do Coltrane changes work?

Coltrane changes (Coltrane Matrix or cycle, also known as chromatic third relations and multi-tonic changes) are a harmonic progression variation using substitute chords over common jazz chord progressions. The Coltrane changes are a standard advanced harmonic substitution used in jazz improvisation.

How did Coltrane change jazz?

What are Coltrane patterns?

What are Coltrane Patterns? Small 4 note fragments that you can use in your solos, and they are amazing because for each chord you solo over there are a lot and they are very easy to play. And this makes them great building blocks for jazz lines of pretty much any kind.

Why do the Coltrane changes work?

We already discuss the importance of ‘structure’ in music in a previous lesson (on Cycle Patterns). Well, Coltrane Changes work well in a reharmonization because the chords move in a structured way (i.e. in fixed intervals).

What songs use the Coltrane changes?

Although “Giant Steps” and “Countdown” are perhaps the most famous examples, both of these compositions use slight variants of the standard Coltrane changes (The first eight bars of “Giant Steps” uses a shortened version that does not return to the I chord, and in “Countdown” the progression begins on ii7 each time.)

What happened to Coltrane in the last two years of his life?

In the last two years of his life, his works became more and more spiritual. Today, he is remembered as an icon of the 20th century jazz. John William Coltrane was born on September 23, 1926 in Hamlet, North Carolina.

What is the real value of John Coltrane’s music?

The real value in what John Coltrane did was that what he accomplished, he did as a human.” Certain aspects of Coltrane’s humble beginnings point to what he would become. Being born in 1926 in small-town North Carolina—specifically Hamlet, and later High Point—helps explain his predilection for the blues.

Why is John Coltrane so important to jazz?

Regarded as one of the most revolutionary and a widely imitated saxophonist in jazz music, John Coltrane carved a niche for himself in the world of jazz. Despite a relatively brief career spanning over just 12 years, he achieved more than what a normal human musician could ever dream of achieving.

What did John Coltrane say in his letter to his listeners?

“I humbly asked to be given the means and privilege to make others happy through music,” Coltrane wrote in 1964 in a letter to his listeners, telling of a prayer to God. In 1966, less than a year before his death, he stated: