World Music Presentation

The Influence of Indian Ragas on

John Coltrane

Demographics of India ● In the 1950’s, the population of India was around 369,880,000

○ As of 2016, the population of India is estimated to be around 1,327,820,494 people according to data

provided by the U.N.

● The national census of India doesn’t recognize racial or ethnic groups, instead

recognizing scheduled tribes and castes (designations given to various groups of

people, ex. “untouchables”).

● India is home to at least 9 recognized religions; Hinduism, Islam, Christianity,

Judaism, Jainism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, and the Baha’i faith.

● The size of India is roughly 1.296 million square miles.

Geographical InfluencesThe indian subcontinent is divided into 3 parts; the Himalayan uplands, Indo-Gangetic

plains, and Peninsular India.

Demographics (cont.)There were numerous political and socioeconomic influences on India in the 1950’s.

● (1947) After being under control of “The British Raj,” India gains its

independence, severing all ties from the British empire.

● (1950) India becomes a republic.

Ravi Shankar

“I’m certain that if I recorded with him I’d increase my

possibilities tenfold, because I’m familiar with what he

does and I understand and appreciate his work.”

-John Coltrane on Ravi Shankar

April 7, 1920-December 11, 2012

Ravi Shankar (cont.)● Ravi Shankar was an Indian musician and composer

● Played the sitar

● Best known for popularizing Indian classical music in the west, and for songs such

as “Ragas in Minor Scale,” and “I Am Missing You.”

● After meeting multi-instrumentalist Allaudin Khan at a music conference in 1934,

Ravi would go on to study sitar under Khan just 4 years later.

● 6 years of lessons under Khan, provided him with the skill to play with featured

performers such as Eric Clapton, and Bob Dylan.

○ Even influenced the Beatles by teaching George Harrison sitar, who went on to play the instrument

on “Norwegian Wood,” by the Beatles.

● Scored the movie Gandhi

● Received 14 honorary degrees, and 3 Grammy awards.

Ragas● Ragas are a part of Hindustani classical music

● Date back over 3,500 year

● Spiritual music

● About 500 known ragas

● Comprised of a minimum of 5 notes in an octave

Examples of Raga ScalesPurvi Scale: Marwa Scale:

Instruments

Sitar Tablas

Musical Excerpt: Raag Khamaj

John Coltrane

“You can play a shoestring if you’re

sincere.” - John Coltrane

September 23, 1926- July 17, 1967

John Coltrane (cont.)● “Trane” was a very prominent jazz saxophonist, bandleader, and composer from

the 20th century.

● John studied clarinet and alto saxophone at Ornstein School of Music in

Philadelphia, and then at Granoff studios in 1943.

● He played with many other iconic jazz musicians of the time such as Dizzy

Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, and even the father of jazz Miles

Davis.

● Coltrane was revolutionary in the jazz world with his “sheets of sound.”

● Prominent works: Moment’s notice, Blue Train, In a Sentimental Mood.

● Struggled with drug addiction.

● Earned 5 musical awards in his lifetime, 3 of which were Grammy’s.

Instruments

Double Bass

Tenor Sax

Piano

Drums

Musical Excerpt: Giant Steps

DifferencesGiant Steps

● Written in E-major.

● Wind instrument has melody.

● Space is filled by the bass and

piano voices.

Raag Khamaj

● Uses the mixolydian scale.

● String instrument has melody.

● More empty space.

● Uses less instruments.

ComparisonsPrimary Link: Modal Improvisation

● Both pieces feature improvisation

with “sheets of sound.”

● Improvisation isn’t tied to a single

key.

○ Not confined to chord

changes.

● Resulted in rhythmic flexibility.

Secondary Link: Tempo

● Fast tempo.

● Drums keep tempo, steadily in

the background.

Works Cited"India Population 2016." India Population (2016). N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Nov. 2016.

http://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/india-population/"Demographics of India." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2016.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_India#Ethnic_groups "How Many Religions Are There in India?" Reference. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2016.

https://www.reference.com/world-view/many-religions-india-6bd1414129861aed"Land Area - World Statistics and Charts as Map, Diagram and Table." Land Area / Countries of the World. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Nov.

2016http://world.bymap.org/LandArea.html.

"Influence of Geography on Indian History." History Discussion Discuss Anything About History. N.p., 08 Aug. 2015. Web. 10 Nov. 2016.http://www.historydiscussion.net/articles/influence-of-geography-on-indian-history/1944

Weschler, PJ. "Population India." Population India. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2016.

http://www.bluemarblecitizen.com/world-population/India

Tripmonk0. "Pandit Ravi Shankar - Ind Day Celebrations." YouTube. YouTube, 02 June 2009. Web. 14 Nov. 2016.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCsmvK06SCA

Works Cited (cont.)Khilnani, Sunil. "1950s: Era of Wrong Turnings." 1950's: Era of Wrong Turnings : Cover Story - India Today 2072007. Living Media

India Limited, 02 July 2007. Web. 15 Nov. 2016.http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-faced-challenges-in-1950s/1/155687.html

"John Coltrane." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2016.https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Coltrane

Sadhana. "What Is a Raga? Scales in Indian Classical Music - Sadhana's Raag-Hindustani." What Is a Raga? Scales in Indian Classical Music - Sadhana's Raag-Hindustani. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2016.http://raag-hindustani.com/Scales1.html