QuoteProject
Jazz took too much discipline. You have to come in at the right place, which is different than me singing the blues, where I can sing, 'Oh, baby,' if there's a pause in the melody. With jazz, you better leave that space open, or put in something real cool.
Etta James
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Jazz requires precision and discipline compared to other forms of music.

Etta James emphasizes the structured nature of jazz music, highlighting that it demands precise timing and skills from musicians. Unlike more freeform styles like the blues, jazz requires a careful consideration of silence and space, along with the addition of cool improvisations to create a compelling performance.

Themes

JazzDisciplineMusicImprovisationPerformance

In practice

Example use cases

When discussing the intricacies of music theory in a classroom setting.

More from Etta James

I figured I could do "It's A Man's, Man's, Man's World" because I believe it's the truth.
Etta JamesRead
It's not about battling the original artists when I record these songs, it's about paying tribute to them.
Etta JamesRead
I wanna show that gospel, country, blues, rhythm and blues, jazz, rock 'n' roll are all just really one thing. Those are the American music and that is the American culture.
Etta JamesRead
The only time that I am really truly happy—when I feel at my best—is when I'm on the stage.
Etta JamesRead
When I'm singing the blues, I'm singing life.
Etta JamesRead
People always say 'Etta, you know what your problem is? You're neither fish nor fowl. There is no place to rack you.' When I would go in a record shop, you might find one or two records by me in different stacks.
Etta JamesRead

Similar quotes

Learn to play the piano, man, and then you can figure out crazy solos of your own.
Dizzy GillespieRead
I come to sing for the people, not for the government. God made the sunshine for everyone and made the moon for everyone. We have to follow his example so we have to play music for everyone too. We have a message, and in order for our message to reach the people, we have to play.
Ziggy MarleyRead
I think they saw me as something like a deliverer, a way out. My means of expression, my music, was a way in which a lot of people wished they could express themselves and couldn't.
Little RichardRead
We do two shows a night for five weeks. A lotta times we'll go upstairs and sing until daylight - gospel songs. We grew up with it...It more or less puts your mind at ease. It does mine.
Elvis PresleyRead
I think the amazing thing about Gospel music is that not only does it lift up the death and resurrection of our Lord, which is consistent with the Gospel, but it is uniquely communicated depending upon the generation.
T. D. JakesRead
The way I see it, rock n' roll is folk music.
Robert PlantRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.