Miles Davis

Sometimes you have to play a long time to be able to play like yourself.

I know what I’ve done for music, but don’t call me a legend. Just call me Miles Davis.

Don’t worry about playing a lot of notes. Just find one pretty one.

So What or Kind of Blue were done in that era, the right hour, the right day. It’s over; it’s on the record.

Play what you know and then play above that.

Music is an addiction.

I’m always interested in looking forward toward the future. Carving out new ways of looking at things.

The high note is not the only thing.

If a player is pushing their ability, a certain amount of failure is inevitable. Maybe even desirable.

I’m not claiming divinity. I’ve never claimed purity of soul. I’ve never claimed to have the answers to life. I only put out songs and answer questions as honestly as I can… But I still believe in peace, love and understanding.

I do not wear my emotions on my sleeve; I write about them.

If you have something in your life worth celebrating, you can put it in a blues song.

In my music, I’m trying to play the truth of what I am. The reason it’s difficult is because I’m changing all the time.

I don’t like recording studios – except my own, which is just a little room above the garage.

Don’t play what’s there, play what’s not there.

You don’t have to be Picasso or Rembrandt to create something. The fun of it, the joy of creating, is way high above anything else to do with the art form.

If I don’t practice for a day, I know it… for two days, the critics know it… three days, the public knows it.

You don’t have to live the blues to play the blues.

I guess what people forget sometimes is that when I write songs, I write them sometimes in about 20 minutes.

I heard someone say ‘What’s that kid doing here? Call your piano player and let’s get started.’

You want the listener to find the song on their own, give too much away and it takes away from the imagination.