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About this quote

What does it mean?
Musicians spend most of their time preparing and fixing their instruments rather than performing.
In plain terms
Harpists tune more than they play.
What can you take from it?
Preparation takes most of the time in music.

Where it applies

  • orchestra rehearsal
  • instrument maintenance
  • performance prep

Putting it to work

  • plan time for tuning
  • maintain equipment regularly

Questions to consider

  • What part of your work is preparation?
  • Is perfection worth the time?

Another view

Some instruments require less tuning time than harps.

More from Igor Stravinsky

  1. 'Silence will save me from being wrong (and foolish), but it will also deprive me of the possibility of being right.'

    Permalink to quote #14
  2. 'Music must be listened to; it is not enough to hear it. A duck hears also.'

    Permalink to quote #16
  3. 'Afterwards, after the concert, I heard them say: 'Too much noise'. And I wanted to ask: 'Where, exactly?''

    Permalink to quote #13

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