Too many jazz pianists limit themselves to a personal style, a trademark, so to speak. They confine themselves to one type of playing.
Oscar PetersonRead
First of all, I swore it was two people playing. When I finally admitted to myself that was one man, I gave up the piano for a month. I figured it was hopeless to practice.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the struggle of self-doubt and the realization of one's limitations in comparison to exceptional talent.
In this quote, Oscar Peterson conveys the moment of realization when he believed that the piano performance he admired was by two skilled musicians rather than just one. This revelation led to feelings of inadequacy, prompting him to give up playing for a month, showcasing the internal battle between aspiration and self-doubt that many artists face.
Themes
Self-DoubtMusicInspirationTalentPiano
In practice
Example use cases
In a music class discussion about the nature of talent and practice.
More from Oscar Peterson
All quotes →I don't believe that a lot of the things I hear on the air today are going to be played for as long a time as Coleman Hawkins records or Brahms concertos.
Oscar PetersonRead
It's the group sound that's important, even when you're playing a solo. You not only have to know your own instrument, you must know the others and how to back them up at all times. That's jazz.
Oscar PetersonRead
Montreal was a very active jazz center until club owners started putting in strippers instead of music. Before long, there was nothing to hear.
Oscar PetersonRead
Too many jazz pianists limit themselves to a personal style, a trademark, so to speak. They confine themselves to one type of playing. I believe in using the entire piano as a single instrument capable of expressing every possible musical idea. I have no one style. I play as I feel.
Oscar PetersonRead
You not only have to know your own instrument, you must know the others and how to back them up at all times. That's jazz.
Oscar PetersonRead
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