--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: John Coltrane, he talks to god. He starts…" description: "\"John Coltrane, he talks to god. He starts playing his solo, he might play for 14 minutes. For 14 minutes, it seems like he's talking to god, but he alw..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fa/patti-smith-394_coltrane_john-coltrane-he-talks-to-god-he-starts_1912474.jpg" --- # John Coltrane, he talks to god. He starts playing his… ![“John Coltrane, he talks to god. He starts playing his solo, he might play for 14 minutes. For 14 minutes, it seems like he's talking to god, but he always takes a hold of the melody.” quote by Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fa/patti-smith-394_coltrane_john-coltrane-he-talks-to-god-he-starts_1912474.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fa/patti-smith-394_coltrane_john-coltrane-he-talks-to-god-he-starts_1912474.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fa/patti-smith-394_coltrane_john-coltrane-he-talks-to-god-he-starts_1912474.jpg) > “John Coltrane, he talks to god. He starts playing his solo, he might play for 14 minutes. For 14 minutes, it seems like he's talking to god, but he always takes a hold of the melody.” [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A musician can enter a deep, almost spiritual state, yet remain grounded in the music's structure. **In simple terms:** Music can feel divine while staying rooted. Key Takeaway Balance improvisation with form. Themes creativity spirituality discipline Mood introspective inspired Type musical philosophical When to use this quote - Live performance - personal meditation - creative writing Key Concepts Jazz improvisation musical dialogue Questions to Reflect On - How do you stay grounded during creative flow? - When does spontaneity hinder clarity? A Different Perspective Improvisation can become self‑indulgent without a clear anchor. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Coltrane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coltrane/) [Coltrane Talks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coltrane-talks-2888205/) [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [John Coltrane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/john-coltrane/) [Melody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/melody/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Playing Solo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playing-solo-423643/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Talking God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talking-god/) [Talking to god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talking-to-god/) [Talks God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talks-god-1024717/) ## Related quotes > [ John \[Coltrane\] was like a visitor to this planet. He came in peace and he left in peace; but during his time here, he… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-ayler/john-coltrane-was-like-a-visitor-to-this-planet-he-came-in-peace-and/) [Albert Ayler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-ayler/) > [If there's any such thing as a perfect man, I think John Coltrane was one. And I think that kind of perfection has to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elvin-jones/if-there-s-any-such-thing-as-a-perfect-man-i-think-john-coltrane-was/) [Elvin Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elvin-jones/) > [ Bob Erlendson, a local piano player, taught me chord structure and which scales go along with them. Later, I began listening to \[pianists\] Bill… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-breau/bob-erlendson-a-local-piano-player-taught-me-chord-structure-and/) [Lenny Breau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-breau/) > [I am the flying saucer man from another world trapped on yours until they come to rescue me. One day the saucer will land.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/i-am-the-flying-saucer-man-from-another-world-trapped-on-yours-until/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [To me John Coltrane was like an angel on earth. He struck me that deeply.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elvin-jones/to-me-john-coltrane-was-like-an-angel-on-earth-he-struck-me-that/) [Elvin Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elvin-jones/) > [For me, the bold jazz of John Coltrane and Miles Davis reflected the bold attitude in African-Americans finding their political identity and voice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kareem-abdul-jabbar/for-me-the-bold-jazz-of-john-coltrane-and-miles-davis-reflected-the/) [Kareem Abdul-Jabbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kareem-abdul-jabbar/) > [Lately, Ive been listening to some jazz albums. I love the new Pat Metheny album. John Coltrane. I still like good metal, though!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geezer-butler/lately-ive-been-listening-to-some-jazz-albums-i-love-the-new-pat/) [Geezer Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geezer-butler/) > [When you're playing the part of a saxophone or a trumpet player, both of which I have done, it would be nice to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-rea/when-you-re-playing-the-part-of-a-saxophone-or-a-trumpet-player-both/) [Stephen Rea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-rea/) > [John Coltrane is still probably one of the greatest musicians of this century. His tone truly puts demons on a leash. His gift is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-santana/john-coltrane-is-still-probably-one-of-the-greatest-musicians-of-this/) [Carlos Santana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-santana/) > [Listen to John Coltrane enough and after two bars, just two bars at any place, and you know that's him. We all have signature…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cosby/listen-to-john-coltrane-enough-and-after-two-bars-just-two-bars-at/) [Bill Cosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cosby/) > [I love music/sounds that have a passion, a fire, an energy I can connect with. I love angry sounding beat tracks, dark sounds for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mick-harris/i-love-music-sounds-that-have-a-passion-a-fire-an-energy-i-can/) [Mick Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mick-harris/) > [As much as I think John Coltrane belongs on the list, I think without Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young, both of whom defined improvising…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbie-mann/as-much-as-i-think-john-coltrane-belongs-on-the-list-i-think-without/) [Herbie Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbie-mann/) > [My dad would play me all of these records: Miles Davis records, John Coltrane records, Bill Evans records, a lot of jazz records. My…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eldar-djangirov/my-dad-would-play-me-all-of-these-records-miles-davis-records-john/) [Eldar Djangirov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eldar-djangirov/) > [I listened to King Oliver and I listened to Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, John Coltrane, Archie Shepp... I listened…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-clapton/i-listened-to-king-oliver-and-i-listened-to-louis-armstrong-jelly/) [Eric Clapton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-clapton/) > [I'm aware of Yusef Lateef and Sun Ra and John Coltrane. My music cup runneth over. I try to encourage people: don't cut anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nugent/i-m-aware-of-yusef-lateef-and-sun-ra-and-john-coltrane-my-music-cup/) [Ted Nugent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nugent/) ## More by Patti Smith > [I had a really happy childhood - my siblings were great, my mother was very fanciful, and I loved to read. But there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-had-a-really-happy-childhood-my-siblings-were-great-my-mother-was/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [As a citizen, hopefully I'm humanist. As an artist, I'm free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/as-a-citizen-hopefully-i-m-humanist-as-an-artist-i-m-free/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [ Sometimes \[people\] seem to think I came out of the womb, you know, cursing, with an electric guitar. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/sometimes-people-seem-to-think-i-came-out-of-the-womb-you-know/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [“Inside it he inscribed a few lines of poetry, portraying us as the gypsy and the fool, one creating silence; one listening closely to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/inside-it-he-inscribed-a-few-lines-of-poetry-portraying-us-as-the/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [Who can know the heart of youth but youth itself?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/who-can-know-the-heart-of-youth-but-youth-itself/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [“I clawed through a thick web of the culture’s consciousness that I hadn’t known existed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-clawed-through-a-thick-web-of-the-culture-s-consciousness-that-i/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [Ultimately, we are not seeking others to bow to, but to reinforce our individual natures, to help us suffer our own choices, to guide…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/ultimately-we-are-not-seeking-others-to-bow-to-but-to-reinforce-our/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [If I'm taking a picture of Brancusi's grave, I know that there's something of him, of his mortal remains, beneath my feet, and there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/if-i-m-taking-a-picture-of-brancusi-s-grave-i-know-that-there-s/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [I'm certain, as we filled down the great staircase, that I appeared the same as ever, a moping twelve years-old, all arms and legs.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-m-certain-as-we-filled-down-the-great-staircase-that-i-appeared-the/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [In art and dream may you proceed with abandon. In life may you proceed with balance and stealth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/in-art-and-dream-may-you-proceed-with-abandon-in-life-may-you-proceed/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [New York is the thing that seduced me. New York is the thing that formed me. New York is the thing that deformed me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/new-york-is-the-thing-that-seduced-me-new-york-is-the-thing-that/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [I don't wanna be equal with anybody. I wanna be above equal. I don't think most people are equal to me. I'd like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-don-t-wanna-be-equal-with-anybody-i-wanna-be-above-equal-i-don-t/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [I think I'm constantly in a state of adjustment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-think-i-m-constantly-in-a-state-of-adjustment/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [Somehow I started introducing writing into my drawings, and after a time, the language took over and I started getting very involved with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/somehow-i-started-introducing-writing-into-my-drawings-and-after-a/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [I'm okay with roaming around the world in my bunk for days on end. Maybe every third day I'll get a shower or stumble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-m-okay-with-roaming-around-the-world-in-my-bunk-for-days-on-end/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) [Explore all 595 Patti Smith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) ## More Coltrane quotes > [I think we've all had enough of Coltrane saxophonists. There's a case of someone ruining a generation of saxophonists, as Louis Armstrong may have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-bley/i-think-we-ve-all-had-enough-of-coltrane-saxophonists-there-s-a-case/) [Paul Bley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-bley/) > [ John \[Coltrane\] was like a visitor to this planet. He came in peace and he left in peace; but during his time here, he… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-ayler/john-coltrane-was-like-a-visitor-to-this-planet-he-came-in-peace-and/) [Albert Ayler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-ayler/) > [I listened to King Oliver and I listened to Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, John Coltrane, Archie Shepp... I listened…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-clapton/i-listened-to-king-oliver-and-i-listened-to-louis-armstrong-jelly/) [Eric Clapton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-clapton/) > [For me, musicians are poets. Beethoven describes himself as a poet of tones, just like Coltrane's a poet of tempo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/for-me-musicians-are-poets-beethoven-describes-himself-as-a-poet-of/) [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) > [My dad would play me all of these records: Miles Davis records, John Coltrane records, Bill Evans records, a lot of jazz records. My…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eldar-djangirov/my-dad-would-play-me-all-of-these-records-miles-davis-records-john/) [Eldar Djangirov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eldar-djangirov/) > [Find a beautiful piece of art. If you fall in love with Van Gogh or Matisse or John Oliver Killens, or if you fall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/find-a-beautiful-piece-of-art-if-you-fall-in-love-with-van-gogh-or/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [I hear many extra-musical things somehow in Coltrane.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-konitz/i-hear-many-extra-musical-things-somehow-in-coltrane/) [Lee Konitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-konitz/) > [As much as I think John Coltrane belongs on the list, I think without Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young, both of whom defined improvising…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbie-mann/as-much-as-i-think-john-coltrane-belongs-on-the-list-i-think-without/) [Herbie Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbie-mann/) > [I love music/sounds that have a passion, a fire, an energy I can connect with. I love angry sounding beat tracks, dark sounds for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mick-harris/i-love-music-sounds-that-have-a-passion-a-fire-an-energy-i-can/) [Mick Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mick-harris/) > [Listen to John Coltrane enough and after two bars, just two bars at any place, and you know that's him. We all have signature…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cosby/listen-to-john-coltrane-enough-and-after-two-bars-just-two-bars-at/) [Bill Cosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cosby/) > [ In short, \[Coltrane's\] tone is beautiful because it is functional. In other words, it is always involved in saying something. You can't separate the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecil-taylor/in-short-coltrane-s-tone-is-beautiful-because-it-is-functional-in/) [Cecil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecil-taylor/) > [John Coltrane is still probably one of the greatest musicians of this century. His tone truly puts demons on a leash. His gift is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-santana/john-coltrane-is-still-probably-one-of-the-greatest-musicians-of-this/) [Carlos Santana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-santana/) > [When you're playing the part of a saxophone or a trumpet player, both of which I have done, it would be nice to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-rea/when-you-re-playing-the-part-of-a-saxophone-or-a-trumpet-player-both/) [Stephen Rea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-rea/) > [But you listen to Coltrane and that's something human, something that's about elevation. It's like making love to a woman. It's about something of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynton-marsalis/but-you-listen-to-coltrane-and-that-s-something-human-something-that/) [Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/) > [Coltrane was moving out of jazz into something else. And certainly Miles Davis was doing the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-garbarek/coltrane-was-moving-out-of-jazz-into-something-else-and-certainly/) [Jan Garbarek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-garbarek/) [Browse all 82 Coltrane quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coltrane/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "John Coltrane, he talks to god. He starts playing his solo, he might play for 14 minutes. 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