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