John Patitucci Improvised on Giant Steps

Abstract

This academic paper is an analysis of the concept of John Patitucci’s improvisation in the song Giant Steps composed by John Coltrane. From the analysis, it can be divided into 5 main analytical issues which are 1) The relation of rhythm, Motif Development, Repetition, Transposition, including Fragmentation, Diminution, Melodic Sequence, and Metric displacement has been found in the improvisation. 2) The aspect of the melody, found the movement of interval P4, P5, including tritone, augmented and Compound Interval (M10, m10, P11, +10, m13) combined with a movement in Diatonic, Arpeggio, and Enclosure. 3) The harmony and notes selection, found the relationship between a target notes with the chord, arpeggio, and Upper Structure Triad. Moreover, these notes create an upper extension such as ^b9, ^#9, 11, ^#11, 13, and ^b13. 4) in scales aspect, Pentatonic, Whole-Tone, Altered has been found including modes such as Dorian, Mixolydian, and Bebop-Mixolydian. 5) In performing the technical aspect, the researcher found the Padel note string skipping technic in a Patitucci’s improvisation line.