The bass is the link between harmony and rhythm. It is the foundation of a band. It is what all the other instruments stand upon, but it is rarely recognized as that.
Victor WootenRead
You can't speak Music with notes alone, but you can speak Music without notes at all!
Interpretation
What this quote means
Music cannot be fully expressed just through written notes; it transcends written form.
This quote emphasizes the idea that true musical expression goes beyond the written notation found on sheet music. It suggests that the essence of music lies in the emotional and experiential aspects that can be conveyed even without structured notes, highlighting the importance of creativity, improvisation, and the ability to connect with one's audience on a deeper level.
Themes
MusicExpressionCreativityImprovisationEmotion
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about the importance of artistic expression, I would use this quote to highlight how music transcends traditional forms.
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All quotes →Music comes from the musician, not the instrument.
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