I merely took the energy it takes to pout and wrote some blues.
Duke EllingtonRead
A musical profit outweighs a financial loss.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the value of artistic expression over monetary gain.
Duke Ellington's quote underscores the idea that the joy and fulfillment derived from creating or enjoying music (or art) holds greater importance than any financial setbacks one might encounter. It suggests that the emotional and cultural benefits of music enrich our lives in ways that transcend mere money.
In practice
In a speech at a music festival, one might use this quote to highlight the impact of music on society.
I merely took the energy it takes to pout and wrote some blues.
Tomorrow is in the wings waiting for you to sound her entrance fanfare.
There is no art without intention.
There is nothing to keeping a band together. You simply have to have a gimmick, and the gimmick I use is to pay them money!
Gray skies are just clouds passing over.
Playing 'bop' is like playing Scrabble with all the vowels missing.
No matter how many times people say it - 'Oh, I'm just writing this for myself' 'Oh, I'm just doing this for myself' - nobody's doing it for themselves! You're doing it for an audience. So whether I'm performing or writing a book or playing music, it's definitely to be put out there and to be received in some way, definitely.
The life of a writer is tragic: the more we advance, the farther there is to go and the more there is to say, the less time there is to say it.
Islamic culture has given us majestic arches and soaring spires; timeless poetry and cherished music; elegant calligraphy and places of peaceful contemplation.
You can't expect someone born into a family with no music... to understand when I'm conducting the Schoenberg Variations.
If you write for God you will reach many men and bring them joy. If you write for men--you may make some money and you may give someone a little joy and you may make a noise in the world, for a little while. If you write for yourself, you can read what you yourself have written and after ten minutes you will be so disgusted that you will wish that you were dead.
Dodging and burning are steps to take care of mistakes God made in establishing tonal relationships.
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