John Coltrane was one of the most important figures in jazz. His career was short lived, however he covered more ground in a relatively short timespan that most musicians could accomplish in a lifetime. I hope you enjoy these John Coltrane licks!
#1 "Giant Steps" Lick
Coltrane played this lick in his solo in Giant Steps.
The lick is played at the beginning of his solo and includes the pickup measures.
Measure 1 (pickup) starts with a C# minor arpeggio. There is a B major arpeggio in the beginning of measure 2. The beginning of measure 3 contains a G major 7 arpeggio.
Click here to listen to this lick on YouTube.
#2 Lick
This lick is also from Coltrane's solo in Giant Steps.
The shape in the first half of measure one is a G major 7 arpeggio.
The general chord progression is part of the Coltrane Matrix.
Click here to listen to this lick on YouTube.
#3 Lick
You guessed it, this lick is also from Giant Steps.
You can sweep pick the A minor arpeggio in the first measure.
Click here to listen to this lick on YouTube.
#4 Lick
Measure 1 is in B major, and measure 2 switches to the key of Eb major.
Click here to listen to this lick on YouTube.
