Product Description
Giant Steps Etude Angular/Baroque Walking Bass Line is an original study composed over John Coltranes iconic cycle-of-third changes. This etude pushes far beyond practical or idiomatic walking vocabulary, embracing bold, unexpected intervallic motion, Baroque-inspired implied counterpoint, and forward-driving voice-leading designed to strengthen both harmonic control and melodic imagination.
The harmony follows the Giant Steps chord progression. Rather than relying on familiar patterns, this etude reframes the progression through a more architectural, contrapuntal lensencouraging bassists to think compositionally while navigating one of jazzs most challenging harmonic forms.
Fully notated in standard notation only, the study is intended for intermediate to advanced players seeking to expand their phrasing, harmonic fluency, linear awareness, and contrapuntal thinkingwithout tablature or positional shortcuts.
In addition to its harmonic challenges, the etude features intentional string-skipping and larger intervallic leaps that provide excellent technical training for both hands, improving accuracy, tone consistency, and flexibility across the instrument.
Ideal for upright or electric bassists, this etude works in private lessons, academic settings, personal practice, or as a creative warm-up that redefines how you approach walking over Coltrane changes.
Written by jazz bassist, composer, and educator Josh Cohen, who teaches students worldwide through his online studio.
Learn more or sign up at:
www.themusicofjoshcohen.com/music-lessons
This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard's global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.