Starting in the middle of a musical sentence and moving in both directions at once.
John ColtraneRead
Overall, I think the main thing a musician would like to do is give to the listener the many wonderful things he knows of and senses in the universe... That's what I would like to do. I think that's one of the greatest things you can do in life, and we all try to do that in some way. The musician's is through his music.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A musician aims to share the beauty of their experiences and knowledge with listeners.
In this quote, John Coltrane expresses the profound desire of a musician to convey the intricate and beautiful aspects of life and the universe through their music. He suggests that the act of sharing one's insights and emotions through art is one of the most meaningful pursuits, not just for musicians, but for all individuals in various forms of expression.
Themes
MusicUniverseExpressionLifeSharing
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture about the impact of art, one might quote Coltrane to emphasize the power of music.
More from John Coltrane
All quotes →When you begin to see the possibilities of music, you desire to do something really good for people.
John ColtraneRead
I'd like to point out to people the divine in a musical language that transcends words. I want to speak to their souls.
John ColtraneRead
I start from one point and go as far as possible. But, unfortunately, I never lose my way. I 'localize,' which is to say that I think always in a given space. I rarely think of the whole of a solo, and only very briefly. I always return to the small part of the solo that I was in the process of playing.
John ColtraneRead
In the year of 1957, I experienced, by the grace of God, a spiritual awakening, which was to lead me to a richer, fuller, more productive life.
John ColtraneRead
Sometimes I wish I could walk up to my music for the first time, as if I had never heard it before.
John ColtraneRead
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