That's the thing about musicians: The priority is to create something new that's never been before. And you put your life on the line every time that you play.
Charlie HadenRead
That's what I tell my students at California Institute of the Arts where I taught for 27 years. I taught them if you strive to be a good person, maybe you might become a great jazz musician.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of personal character over technical skill in music.
Charlie Haden's quote reflects the belief that being a good person and having strong moral values can greatly enhance one's ability to connect with others and excel in the art of jazz music. It suggests that the essence of great musicianship lies not only in technical proficiency but also in compassion and integrity, which ultimately shapes a musician's expression and connection to the audience.
Themes
MusicJazzEducationCharacterPersonality
In practice
Example use cases
In a classroom discussion about the impact of character on creativity.
More from Charlie Haden
All quotes →As long as there are musicians who have a passion for spontaneity, for creating something thats never been before, the art form of jazz will flourish.
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