Clarinet Quote by Artie Shaw
“When I first met Benny Goodman he wouldn't talk about anything but clarinets, mouthpieces, reeds, etc. When I tried to change the subject, he said 'But that's what we have in common. We both play clarinet.' I said, 'No, Benny, that's where we're different. You play clarinet, I play music.'”
About This Quote
Source Memoir: "The Artie Shaw Story", 1975
Goodman focused on technical details, while Shaw emphasized broader musical purpose.
In simple terms: Focus on the bigger picture, not just tools.
Key Takeaway
Look beyond specifics.
Themes
music
communication
perspective
Mood
conversational
insightful
Type
anecdotal
reflective
When to use this quote
- band rehearsals
- creative collaborations
- teaching music
- studio sessions
Key Concepts
instrumentation
artistic vision
Questions to Reflect On
- What does your instrument represent for you?
- How can you balance technique and vision?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on details can stifle creativity.
![“The distance between me and Benny [Goodman], was that I was trying to play a musical thing, and Benny was trying to swing. Benny had great fingers; I'd never deny that. But listen to our two versions of 'Star Dust.' I was playing; he was swinging.” quote by Artie Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/797/artie-shaw-18387_deny_the-distance-between-me-and-benny-goodma_1425310.jpg)
![“It ["Begin the Beguine"] became such a hit that it superseded anything that any band had ever had. It was the first time that a so-called swing band played something melodic and still gave it a beat.” quote by Artie Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4f8/artie-shaw-18387_band_it-begin-the-beguine-became-such-a-hit-t_120311.jpg)
