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.
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Understanding music involves knowing not just your part but also the roles of other musicians.
This quote emphasizes the importance of collaboration and mutual support in music, particularly in jazz. To truly excel, a musician must have a comprehensive understanding of their own instrument as well as the instruments of their fellow musicians, ensuring a cohesive performance where everyone contributes to the overall harmony.
Themes
JazzMusicCollaborationUnderstandingSupport
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a music class to illustrate the importance of teamwork among musicians.
More from Oscar Peterson
All quotes βToo many jazz pianists limit themselves to a personal style, a trademark, so to speak. They confine themselves to one type of playing.
Oscar PetersonRead
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
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