I, of course, wanted to play real jazz. When we played pop tunes, and naturally we had to, I wanted those pops to kick! Not loud and fast, understand, but smoothly and with a definite punch.
Count BasieRead
If you find a note tonight that sounds good, play the same damn note every night!
Interpretation
What this quote means
Focus on what resonates with you and repeat it to find success.
This quote by Count Basie emphasizes the importance of consistency in artistic expression. It suggests that if you discover something that feels right or inspires you, embrace it wholeheartedly and continue to explore it repeatedly, as repetition can lead to mastery and deeper understanding in art.
Themes
ArtMusicConsistencyExpressionSuccess
In practice
Example use cases
A musician might quote this while speaking to young artists about the importance of finding their signature sound.
More from Count Basie
All quotes βAll I wanted was to be big, to be in show business and to travel ... and that's what I've been doing all my life.
Count BasieRead
I'll always remember when I first heard Lester [Young]. I'd never heard anyone like him before. He was a stylist with a different sound. A sound I'd never heard before or since. To be honest with you, I didn't much like it at first.
Count BasieRead
I'm saying: to be continued, until we meet again. Meanwhile, keep on listening and tapping your feet.
Count BasieRead
I never thought innovation as such was very important. Not when you have to think about it... If you're going to come up with a new direction or a really new way to do something, you'll do it by just playing your stuff and letting it ride. The real innovators did their innovating by just being themselves.
Count BasieRead
Of course, there are a lot of ways you can treat the blues, but it will still be the blues.
Count BasieRead
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