Music isn't about music, it's about life.
Herbie HancockRead
It's easy to get sidetracked with technology, and that is the danger, but ultimately you have to see what works with the music and what doesn't. In a lot of cases, less is more. In most cases, less is more.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of simplicity in music and warns against overcomplicating things with technology.
Herbie Hancock highlights the potential distractions that technology can introduce into music creation. He suggests that while technology can be beneficial, it is essential for artists to discern what complements their music rather than detracts from it, ultimately advocating for simplicity—where often having less can lead to greater impact.
Themes
SimplicityMusicTechnologyCreativityLess Is More
In practice
Example use cases
In a workshop on music production, this quote could be used to stress the importance of not overloading tracks.
More from Herbie Hancock
All quotes →I don't mind being classified as a jazz artist, but I do mind being restricted to being a jazz artist. My foundation has been in jazz, though I didn't really start out that way. I started in classical music, but my formative years were in jazz, and it makes a great foundation.
Herbie HancockRead
In World War II, jazz absolutely was the music of freedom, and then in the Cold War, behind the Iron Curtain, same thing. It was all underground, but they needed the food of freedom that jazz offered.
Herbie HancockRead
I think people have learned that Herbie Hancock can be defined as someone that you won't be able to figure out what he's going to do next. The sky is the limit as far as I'm concerned.
Herbie HancockRead
One thing that sticks in my mind is that jazz means freedom and openness. It's a music that, although it developed out of the African American experience, speaks more about the human experience than the experience of a particular people.
Herbie HancockRead
I started off with classical music, and I got into jazz when I was about 14 years old. And I've been playing jazz ever since.
Herbie HancockRead
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