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
All quotes →There are people these days who can do things on the guitar which are beyond my reach. There's one guy who plays with Queen who can do things I would dream of doing. I sincerely mean that.
Eric ClaptonRead
My original interests and intentions in guitar playing were primarily created on quality of tone, for instance, the way the instrument could be made to echo or simulate the human voice.
Eric ClaptonRead
When I saw Jimi Hendrix I knew immediately that this guy was the real thing ... and when he played it was like a rough sketch of what he was going to become ... this guy was our generation, and he wasn't in a suit .. he played a Howlin' Wolf song 'Killing Floor', and then we (The Cream) had to carry on the set. It was pretty hard to follow.
Eric ClaptonRead
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.
Eric ClaptonRead
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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