Starting in the middle of a musical sentence and moving in both directions at once.
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of focus and mastery in music, suggesting that true artistry lies in exploring specific details rather than the overall picture.
John Coltrane's quote reflects a musician's journey of creativity and expression, highlighting the idea that deep exploration of small, specific sections of a piece can lead to profound and innovative musical experiences. By localizing his focus, Coltrane suggests that complex improvisation and mastery come not from encompassing everything at once, but from a meticulous attention to the nuances within a smaller scope, ultimately leading to deeper artistic expression.
Themes
MusicFocusImprovisationArtistryExploration
In practice
Example use cases
A musician might share this quote while discussing the creative process during a workshop.
More from John Coltrane
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I'd like to point out to people the divine in a musical language that transcends words. I want to speak to their souls.
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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.
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Sometimes I wish I could walk up to my music for the first time, as if I had never heard it before.
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My goal is to live the truly religious life, and express it in my music. If you live it, when you play there's no problem because the music is part of the whole thing. To be a musician is really something. It goes very, very deep. My music is the spiritual expression of what I am - my faith, my knowledge, my being.
John ColtraneRead
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