Theory
Coltrane Changes
Harmonic cycles built from major-third relationships, associated with John Coltrane's later compositions.
Coltrane changes divide the octave into three major thirds. Instead of resolving once to a tonic, the music moves through three key centres separated by four semitones. A common tonic cycle is B | G | Eb, which returns to B after three moves.
Each key centre can be approached by its own dominant. A simplified path through the cycle is Bmaj7 | D7 | Gmaj7 | Bb7 | Ebmaj7. The dominant chords are a minor third above their targets, so the roots keep turning through the same three major-third stations.
The effect is a harmonic carousel: stable major chords arrive, but the next dominant immediately pulls the music onward. Study the cycle slowly, then connect it to ii–V–I language so the motion feels like harmony rather than arithmetic.
Tunes from this dataset
9 matches