---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I know musicians who think that drumming…"
description: "\"I know musicians who think that drumming and guitaring can be very meditative, but singing is different because when you think about things, you put wo..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75d/brett-dennen-11865_clear_i-know-musicians-who-think-that-drumming_369390.jpg"
---

#  I know musicians who think that drumming and guitaring can…

![“I know musicians who think that drumming and guitaring can be very meditative, but singing is different because when you think about things, you put words to them. So I try to just stay present most of the time, I try not to let my mind wander and I also try not to clear my mind. I like to still…” quote by Brett Dennen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75d/brett-dennen-11865_clear_i-know-musicians-who-think-that-drumming_369390.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75d/brett-dennen-11865_clear_i-know-musicians-who-think-that-drumming_369390.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75d/brett-dennen-11865_clear_i-know-musicians-who-think-that-drumming_369390.jpg)

> “I know musicians who think that drumming and guitaring can be very meditative, but singing is different because when you think about things, you put words to them. So I try to just stay present most of the time, I try not to let my mind wander and I also try not to clear my mind. I like to still have thought and be aware of people and whatever that's happening, but I also like to just focus on the words that I'm saying.”

[Brett Dennen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-dennen/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Balancing mindfulness with expressive speech involves staying present while allowing thoughts to shape words, rather than emptying the mind entirely.

**In simple terms:** Stay present, let thoughts guide words without overthinking.

Key Takeaway

Embrace awareness while speaking.

Themes

mindfulness creativity communication

Mood

contemplative focused

Type

advice inspirational

When to use this quote

- public speaking
- musical performance
- meditation practice

Key Concepts

presence thought-awareness expressive focus

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you keep thoughts from dominating speech?
- What techniques help maintain presence while speaking?

A Different Perspective

May hinder spontaneous flow if over‑controlled.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Clear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clear/) [Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Drumming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drumming/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Guitaring Meditative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guitaring-meditative-3373456/) [Happenings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happenings/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Meditative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditative/) [Meditative Singing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditative-singing-3373454/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Music making](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music-making/) [Musician](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/musician/) [Musicians Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/musicians-think-620955/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Singing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/singing/) [Stay Present](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stay-present/) [Stills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stills/) [Think Drumming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-drumming-3373455/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [Wander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wander/)

## Related quotes

> [A lot of musicians are good cooks, and a lot of cooks are musicians, but I think that may just be a result of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-albini/a-lot-of-musicians-are-good-cooks-and-a-lot-of-cooks-are-musicians/)

[Steve Albini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-albini/)

> [Nobody asks me about what male musicians I think about; I only ever get asked about females.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorde/nobody-asks-me-about-what-male-musicians-i-think-about-i-only-ever/)

[Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorde/)

> [Once we went into the basement and learned a song, we felt successful. Then we learned two songs, and then we got a gig,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gord-downie/once-we-went-into-the-basement-and-learned-a-song-we-felt-successful/)

[Gord Downie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gord-downie/)

> [I only choose musicians who I think will emerge, can emerge, with their own character, while still going along with the tune in question.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-wyatt/i-only-choose-musicians-who-i-think-will-emerge-can-emerge-with-their/)

[Robert Wyatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-wyatt/)

> [Why the connection with musicians? I think it's because in the end we're doing very similar things - we're telling stories, we're using poetic,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-lloyd-jones/why-the-connection-with-musicians-i-think-it-s-because-in-the-end-we/)

[Sally Lloyd-Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-lloyd-jones/)

> [I don't think that there's much that sets me apart from other musicians, but I think there are definitely things that set me apart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/i-don-t-think-that-there-s-much-that-sets-me-apart-from-other-2/)

[Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/)

> [I'm a spiritual musician, I think there has been enough political musicians and I think everything that can be said has been said about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ziggy-marley/i-m-a-spiritual-musician-i-think-there-has-been-enough-political/)

[Ziggy Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ziggy-marley/)

> [Ultimately, what we do as musicians, I think of us as a type of emotional engineer. We essential take these sound waves, this sound,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefon-harris/ultimately-what-we-do-as-musicians-i-think-of-us-as-a-type-of/)

[Stefon Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefon-harris/)

> [Musicians don't respect a lot of the stuff that is on TRL and a lot of musicians think that stuff on the radio is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rich/musicians-don-t-respect-a-lot-of-the-stuff-that-is-on-trl-and-a-lot/)

[Adam Rich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rich/)

> [We'll win, of course," he said. "You don't want that," said the demon. "Why not, pray?“ “Listen," said Crowley desperately, "how many musicians do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/we-ll-win-of-course-he-said-you-don-t-want-that-said-the-demon-why/)

[Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/)

> [“Most musicians think that Music is made up of notes. They forget that notes are just a part of Music, and a small part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-wooten/most-musicians-think-that-music-is-made-up-of-notes-they-forget-that/)

[Victor Wooten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-wooten/)

> [Stereotyping and generating brands around musicians I think contributes to their eventual demise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/squarepusher/stereotyping-and-generating-brands-around-musicians-i-think/)

[Squarepusher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/squarepusher/)

> [I am totally against the war but violence is part of mankind and it's going to happen, but as musicians I think we've got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/i-am-totally-against-the-war-but-violence-is-part-of-mankind-and-it-s/)

[Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/)

> [I don't think that there's much that sets me apart from other musicians, but I think there are definitely things that set me apart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/i-don-t-think-that-there-s-much-that-sets-me-apart-from-other/)

[Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/)

> [Stay present. You'll always have time to worry later on if you want to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-millman/stay-present-you-ll-always-have-time-to-worry-later-on-if-you-want-to/)

[Dan Millman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-millman/)

## More by Brett Dennen

> [Things aren't always as they appear. I've been believing things to be a certain way because I want them to be that way. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-dennen/things-aren-t-always-as-they-appear-i-ve-been-believing-things-to-be/)

[Brett Dennen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-dennen/)

> [What I strive to do with songwriting is be really honest, authentic and try to be open and share that with people. I choose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-dennen/what-i-strive-to-do-with-songwriting-is-be-really-honest-authentic/)

[Brett Dennen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-dennen/)

> [I want to write songs with meaning. I have high standards for my work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-dennen/i-want-to-write-songs-with-meaning-i-have-high-standards-for-my-work/)

[Brett Dennen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-dennen/)

> [When you get to say something in a song you're not directing it necessarily at one person. When it's in a song it's easier…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-dennen/when-you-get-to-say-something-in-a-song-you-re-not-directing-it/)

[Brett Dennen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-dennen/)

> [Paul Simon is my absolute hero. He's one of a kind. He wrote his own ticket in life by being himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-dennen/paul-simon-is-my-absolute-hero-he-s-one-of-a-kind-he-wrote-his-own/)

[Brett Dennen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-dennen/)

> [I sing the best when I'm really in my voice. It's kind of like I'm meditating but I sort of imagine my voice as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-dennen/i-sing-the-best-when-i-m-really-in-my-voice-it-s-kind-of-like-i-m/)

[Brett Dennen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-dennen/)

> [“The wind blows wild and i may move, politicians lie and i am not fooled you don't need a razor or a three piece…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-dennen/the-wind-blows-wild-and-i-may-move-politicians-lie-and-i-am-not/)

[Brett Dennen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-dennen/)

> [Nothing has happened too fast, nothing has happened too slow. It has been a mellow rise, and I'm thankful for that. I haven't lost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-dennen/nothing-has-happened-too-fast-nothing-has-happened-too-slow-it-has/)

[Brett Dennen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-dennen/)

> [Songs don't really feel like me unless I somehow shed a little secret or open myself somehow or be vulnerable. When I'm singing these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-dennen/songs-don-t-really-feel-like-me-unless-i-somehow-shed-a-little-secret/)

[Brett Dennen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-dennen/)

> [Blessed is this life and I'm going to celebrate being alive!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-dennen/blessed-is-this-life-and-i-m-going-to-celebrate-being-alive/)

[Brett Dennen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-dennen/)

> [I love being creative, and for me it doesn't matter what it is - whether it's art or music or just daydreaming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-dennen/i-love-being-creative-and-for-me-it-doesn-t-matter-what-it-is-whether/)

[Brett Dennen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-dennen/)

> [I can't really write unless I'm full of inspiration. And even then I can't write unless I have some alone time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-dennen/i-can-t-really-write-unless-i-m-full-of-inspiration-and-even-then-i/)

[Brett Dennen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-dennen/)

> [If I hear a really good song it's like, oh man, I want to write a song that good. But the urge to create…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-dennen/if-i-hear-a-really-good-song-it-s-like-oh-man-i-want-to-write-a-song/)

[Brett Dennen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-dennen/)

> [Everyone wants to know what kind of music their favorite artist listens to. It feels good to. I don't try to dwell on that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-dennen/everyone-wants-to-know-what-kind-of-music-their-favorite-artist/)

[Brett Dennen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-dennen/)

> [A sunny, happy day is beautiful, but when it's moody, and storm is coming, there's an energy in the air.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-dennen/a-sunny-happy-day-is-beautiful-but-when-it-s-moody-and-storm-is/)

[Brett Dennen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-dennen/)

[Explore all 57 Brett Dennen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-dennen/)

## More Clear quotes

> [Self-respect and a clear conscience are powerful components of integrity and are the basis for enriching your relationships with others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/self-respect-and-a-clear-conscience-are-powerful-components-of/)

[Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/)

> [When I came to Chelsea, it was clear that, like many other players, I would first be loaned out. So I went to Belgium…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thorgan-hazard/when-i-came-to-chelsea-it-was-clear-that-like-many-other-players-i/)

[Thorgan Hazard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thorgan-hazard/)

> [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I think, here's what I've realized from interviewing people, and I've been very open about my Catholicism and my love of Christ and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-think-here-s-what-i-ve-realized-from-interviewing-people-and-i-ve/)

[Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/)

> [If the audience likes your work, if they like you, they don't think whether you are married or have children or not. I made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimple-kapadia/if-the-audience-likes-your-work-if-they-like-you-they-don-t-think/)

[Dimple Kapadia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimple-kapadia/)

> [The thing about hitting kids is, think about if you were doing the same thing to another adult. Hitting your kid is really the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/the-thing-about-hitting-kids-is-think-about-if-you-were-doing-the/)

[Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/)

> [Where I grew up, learning was a collective activity. But when I got to school and tried to share learning with other students that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-giroux/where-i-grew-up-learning-was-a-collective-activity-but-when-i-got-to/)

[Henry Giroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-giroux/)

> [Clear moments are so short. There is much more darkness. More ocean than terra firma. More shadow than form.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-zagajewski/clear-moments-are-so-short-there-is-much-more-darkness-more-ocean/)

[Adam Zagajewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-zagajewski/)

> [I try to listen to all music with an open head, a clear head, try not to say just because I don't know it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ghostface-killah/i-try-to-listen-to-all-music-with-an-open-head-a-clear-head-try-not/)

[Ghostface Killah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ghostface-killah/)

> [God's Word does provide life lessons to teach us how to live. And it gives us beautiful poetry that gives voice to our human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-rothschild/god-s-word-does-provide-life-lessons-to-teach-us-how-to-live-and-it/)

[Jennifer Rothschild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-rothschild/)

> [ We have no clear ideas of the agency of \[demonic\] spirits, nor is it necessary. The Scripture says little to satisfy our curiosity; but… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-newton/we-have-no-clear-ideas-of-the-agency-of-demonic-spirits-nor-is-it/)

[John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-newton/)

> [I've always made it clear that I do not believe that global government is either necessary or feasible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-strong/i-ve-always-made-it-clear-that-i-do-not-believe-that-global/)

[Maurice Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-strong/)

> [The moment it begins to question itself, the mind becomes so clear that it starts working with itself rather than with the body's identification.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/byron-katie/the-moment-it-begins-to-question-itself-the-mind-becomes-so-clear/)

[Byron Katie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/byron-katie/)

> [Alec Wilkinson is a spare, clear, and lucid writer who works in stylistic simplicity with material that is not simple at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-matthiessen/alec-wilkinson-is-a-spare-clear-and-lucid-writer-who-works-in/)

[Peter Matthiessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-matthiessen/)

> [ I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect \[Donald Trump\], or then-president \[Barack Obama\]. But it's - I'm very clear.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mattis/i-can-t-imagine-that-i-would-be-asked-that-by-the-president-elect/)

[James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mattis/)

[Browse all 7,410 Clear quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clear/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I know musicians who think that drumming and guitaring can be very meditative, but singing is different because when you think about things, you put words to them. So I try to just stay present most of the time, I try not to let my mind wander and I also try not to clear my mind. I like to still have thought and be aware of people and whatever that's happening, but I also like to just focus on the words that I'm saying.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Brett Dennen"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-dennen/i-know-musicians-who-think-that-drumming-and-guitaring-can-be-very/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Clear"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-dennen/i-know-musicians-who-think-that-drumming-and-guitaring-can-be-very/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75d/brett-dennen-11865_clear_i-know-musicians-who-think-that-drumming_369390.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75d/brett-dennen-11865_clear_i-know-musicians-who-think-that-drumming_369390.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75d/brett-dennen-11865_clear_i-know-musicians-who-think-that-drumming_369390.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I know musicians who think that drumming and guitaring can be very meditative, but singing is different…” — Brett Dennen",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Brett Dennen",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-dennen/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I know musicians who think that...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-dennen/i-know-musicians-who-think-that-drumming-and-guitaring-can-be-very/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-dennen/i-know-musicians-who-think-that-drumming-and-guitaring-can-be-very/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
