When you're writing, you're conjuring. It's a ritual, and you need to be brave and respectful and sometimes get out of the way of whatever it is that you're inviting into the room.
Tom WaitsRead
Your hands are like dogs, going to the same places they've been. You have to be careful when playing is no longer in the mind but in the fingers, going to happy places. You have to break them of their habits or you don't explore; you only play what is confident and pleasing. I'm learning to break those habits by playing instruments I know absolutely nothing about, like a bassoon or a waterphone.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of breaking free from habitual actions to foster creativity and exploration in art.
Tom Waits reflects on the idea that our hands, like dogs, tend to follow familiar patterns, limiting our creative potential. By actively engaging with new instruments and breaking away from old habits, we allow ourselves to explore new musical territories and enhance our artistic expression, encouraging innovation and adventure in our craft.
Themes
CreativityExplorationMusicHabitsLearning
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can inspire musicians to try new instruments at a workshop.
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My reality needs imagination like a bulb needs a socket. My imagination needs reality like a blind man needs a cane.
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