If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.
Neil PeartRead
I've heard the stories. Like, Eric Clapton said he wanted to burn his guitar when he heard Jimi Hendrix play. I never understood that because, when I went and saw a great drummer or heard one, all I wanted to do was practice.
Interpretation
This quote reflects the drive to improve oneself through inspiration rather than feeling defeated.
Neil Peart expresses a perspective on how artists respond to the exceptional talent of others. Rather than feeling demoralized or wanting to give up, he emphasizes the importance of being motivated to practice and enhance one's own skills. The admiration for great musicians should fuel one's desire to strive for greatness rather than to retreat or feel inadequate.
In practice
Use this quote during a music workshop to encourage budding musicians.
If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.
The real test of a musician is live performance. It's one thing to spend a long time learning how to play well in the studio, but to do it in front of people is what keeps me coming back to touring.
Performing live in front of an audience is such a matter of will - all of those things you can do just fine in your basement, suddenly you have to do them in front of hundreds or thousands of people, and it becomes a different matter entirely.
It seems to me that's the only way you can have a truly creative aggregate of people is if they're all contributing in different ways.
What I've learned over the years is that the craft of songwriting is trying to take the personal and make it universal - or in the case of telling a story, taking the universal and making it personal.
Half the world hates What half the world does every day Half the world waits While half gets on with it anyway
Bring into play the almighty power within you, so that on the stage of life you can fulfill your high destined role.
Diligence overcomes difficulties; sloth makes them.
In this remarkable time for the world, I refuse to believe it's time to stop believing in the possibilities of our remarkable country. I refuse to accept the downsizing of the American Dream. I refuse to bet against American entrepreneurial spirit and American ingenuity.The competition's tough, and it requires us to be tougher - tough-minded, never hard hearted.
What great thing would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?
Pride is a personal commitment. It is an attitude which separates excellence from mediocrity.
Come on, come on, and there'll be no turning back, You were only killing time and it can kill you right back, Come on, come on! It's time to burn up the fuse, You got nothing to do and even less to lose...
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