Every time you pick up your guitar to play, play as if it's the last time.
Eric ClaptonRead
At first the music almost repelled me, it was so intense, and this man made no attempt to sugarcoat what he was trying to say, or play. It was hard-core, more than anything I had ever heard. After a few listenings I realized that, on some level, I had found the master, and that following this man's example would be my life's work.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the initial struggle of confronting intense art and the eventual realization of its profound impact.
Eric Clapton expresses his journey of discovering an intense form of music that initially repelled him due to its raw honesty and lack of embellishment. However, through repeated listening, he recognizes the artist's mastery and feels inspired to dedicate his life to following this example, highlighting the transformative power of confronting challenging art and the depth of connection it can inspire.
Themes
MusicArtMasteryInspirationExpression
In practice
Example use cases
During a music appreciation class, this quote can be used to showcase how different styles of music can impact listeners.
More from Eric Clapton
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My definition of Blues is that it's a musical form which is very disciplined and structured coupled with a state of mind, and you can have either of those things but it's the two together that make it what it is. And you need to be a student for one, and a human being for the other, but those things alone don't do it.
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My selective memory of what drinking was like told me that standing at the bar in a pub, on a summer's evening with a long, tall glass of lager and lime was heaven, and I chose not to remember the nights on which I had sat with a bottle of vodka, a gram of coke and a shotgun, contemplating suicide.
Eric ClaptonRead
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