John Coltrane, one of jazz history’s most revered saxophonists, released “Giant Steps” in 1959. It’s known across the jazz world as one of the most challenging compositions to improvise over for two reasons – it’s fast and it’s in three keys.

Braxton Cook and Adam Neely give Vox Earworm a crash course in music theory to help understand this notoriously difficult song. Even if you don’t understand a lick of music theory, you’ll likely walk away with an appreciation for this musical puzzle.