It's like an act of murder; you play with intent to commit something.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Music performance requires deliberate and serious intent.
- In plain terms
- Playing music is like committing an act with intent.
- What can you take from it?
- Play with full intent.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How serious is your craft?
- What intent do you bring?
Another view
The metaphor is violent and strong.
More from Duke Ellington
Playing 'Bop' is like playing Scrabble with all the vowels missing.
Permalink to quote #2 Fate is being kind to me. Fate doesn't want me to be too famous too young.
Permalink to quote #4 It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing).
Permalink to quote #1
Related quotes
Music isn't enough. Performers aren't enough. There must be someone that loves music as much as life. For you, and remember this always, those of us with somet…
William KapellWilliam Kapell quote #1 The notes I handle no better than many pianists. But the pauses between the notes - ah, that is where the art resides.
Artur SchnabelArtur Schnabel quote #2 'I hope my recordings of my own works won't inhibit other people's performances. The brutal fact is that one doesn't always get the exact tempo one wants, alth…
Aaron CoplandAaron Copland quote #2