--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As a musician, I don't have one thing…" description: "\"As a musician, I don't have one thing that's \"my thing.\" I like to create, and have a lot of outlets for it. Dustin Hoffman is one of the guys that set..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/310/chick-corea-17007_character_as-a-musician-i-don-t-have-one-thing-tha_772433.png" --- # As a musician, I don't have one thing that's "my thing." I… ![“As a musician, I don't have one thing that's "my thing." I like to create, and have a lot of outlets for it. Dustin Hoffman is one of the guys that sets a model for me, because of how good he is at being such different characters. Every time you see DeNiro, he's pretty much DeNiro - great, but…” quote by Chick Corea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/310/chick-corea-17007_character_as-a-musician-i-don-t-have-one-thing-tha_772433.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/310/chick-corea-17007_character_as-a-musician-i-don-t-have-one-thing-tha_772433.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/310/chick-corea-17007_character_as-a-musician-i-don-t-have-one-thing-tha_772433.png) > “As a musician, I don't have one thing that's "my thing." I like to create, and have a lot of outlets for it. Dustin Hoffman is one of the guys that sets a model for me, because of how good he is at being such different characters. Every time you see DeNiro, he's pretty much DeNiro - great, but DeNiro. Hoffman is different every time, depending on his character. That's how I see myself as a performer.” [Chick Corea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chick-corea/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Embrace multiple creative outlets and avoid being typecast; emulate versatile role models. **In simple terms:** Be versatile, avoid a single label. Key Takeaway Cultivate diverse creative skills. Themes creativity versatility role models Mood inspired thoughtful Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - acting - music - creative projects Key Concepts artistic identity career development Questions to Reflect On - How can you maintain a coherent identity while exploring many styles? - What limits does versatility impose on specialization? A Different Perspective Versatility can dilute personal brand if not managed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Different characters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different-characters/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Jazz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jazz/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Musician](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/musician/) [Performers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performers/) ## Related quotes > [When you work with a DeNiro or Hoffman, they love what they do so much that there's never any competitive vibe. It's more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-burns/when-you-work-with-a-deniro-or-hoffman-they-love-what-they-do-so-much/) [Edward Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-burns/) > [My agent says, "You have an audition for the next Dustin Hoffman movie, playing a pioneer woman." And I go, "All right!" I passed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-grant/my-agent-says-you-have-an-audition-for-the-next-dustin-hoffman-movie/) [Beth Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-grant/) > [There's people who live life authentically and there's people who live a life of fabrication. And it begins with the question of how you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mann/there-s-people-who-live-life-authentically-and-there-s-people-who/) [Michael Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mann/) > [Dustin Hoffman said this one time, that if he hadn't made it as a film star, he would still be happy as a character…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-leary/dustin-hoffman-said-this-one-time-that-if-he-hadn-t-made-it-as-a-film/) [Denis Leary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-leary/) > [I got my SAG card quite unexpectedly. I was here in Los Angeles doing a play called 'Vanities' - it was 1976, I believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-bates/i-got-my-sag-card-quite-unexpectedly-i-was-here-in-los-angeles-doing/) [Kathy Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-bates/) > [I would love to work with Dustin Hoffman, John Malkovich, Omar Epps, Martin Scorsese, Josh Mond, Woody Allen, Paul Thomas Anderson, and David O.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-wolff/i-would-love-to-work-with-dustin-hoffman-john-malkovich-omar-epps/) [Alex Wolff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-wolff/) > [The varying physical characteristics of the actors may also necessitate changes. Sean Connery is six feet four. Dustin Hoffman isn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sidney-lumet/the-varying-physical-characteristics-of-the-actors-may-also/) [Sidney Lumet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sidney-lumet/) > [With 'Nostromo', Joseph Conrad said that he had wanted to write a novel about the degradation of an idea. That's what we wanted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-milch/with-nostromo-joseph-conrad-said-that-he-had-wanted-to-write-a-novel/) [David Milch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-milch/) > [Rain Man certainly didn't test really well. If you look at it carefully, you have a disease autism they didn't understand back then, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-levinson/rain-man-certainly-didn-t-test-really-well-if-you-look-at-it/) [Barry Levinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-levinson/) > [I admire Meryl Streep and Dustin Hoffman for their sheer dedication to their craft.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lavrenti-lopes/i-admire-meryl-streep-and-dustin-hoffman-for-their-sheer-dedication/) [Lavrenti Lopes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lavrenti-lopes/) > [Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise were both so generous to me on the Rain Man set. I remember Tom was in the trailer when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-grant/dustin-hoffman-and-tom-cruise-were-both-so-generous-to-me-on-the-rain/) [Beth Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-grant/) > [I feel like I went from being a boy to being a man, in some respects, through the help of Dustin Hoffman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-j-adams/i-feel-like-i-went-from-being-a-boy-to-being-a-man-in-some-respects/) [Patrick J. Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-j-adams/) > [The life of an action star is very short. I want to be an actor like Robert De Niro , like Dustin Hoffman or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-chan/the-life-of-an-action-star-is-very-short-i-want-to-be-an-actor-like/) [Jackie Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-chan/) > [TV shows are great right now in America. I find myself - and I hate to admit it - but we watch more TV…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franka-potente/tv-shows-are-great-right-now-in-america-i-find-myself-and-i-hate-to/) [Franka Potente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franka-potente/) > [I keep trying to explain to people that the archetype of intelligence is not Dustin Hoffman in 'The Rain Man;' it is a human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eliezer-yudkowsky/i-keep-trying-to-explain-to-people-that-the-archetype-of-intelligence/) [Eliezer Yudkowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eliezer-yudkowsky/) ## More by Chick Corea > [You've got to create the space, then fill it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chick-corea/you-ve-got-to-create-the-space-then-fill-it/) [Chick Corea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chick-corea/) > [Only a spiritual being has awareness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chick-corea/only-a-spiritual-being-has-awareness/) [Chick Corea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chick-corea/) > [I've noticed that the more adventurous and in that mode that I am, it seems that the more the audience really likes it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chick-corea/i-ve-noticed-that-the-more-adventurous-and-in-that-mode-that-i-am-it/) [Chick Corea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chick-corea/) > [It's one thing to just play a tune, or play a program of music, but it's another thing to practically create a new language…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chick-corea/it-s-one-thing-to-just-play-a-tune-or-play-a-program-of-music-but-it/) [Chick Corea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chick-corea/) > [I no longer wanted to satisfy myself. I really want to connect with the world and make my music mean something to people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chick-corea/i-no-longer-wanted-to-satisfy-myself-i-really-want-to-connect-with/) [Chick Corea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chick-corea/) > [Art is a subject that is inundated with opinions. In fact, that's all it is about is opinions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chick-corea/art-is-a-subject-that-is-inundated-with-opinions-in-fact-that-s-all/) [Chick Corea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chick-corea/) > [It's a constant challenge to get your arrangement and musical expression across to a new audience, especially when you're playing live every night like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chick-corea/it-s-a-constant-challenge-to-get-your-arrangement-and-musical/) [Chick Corea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chick-corea/) > [If I had to look at 'Now He Sings'... from outside myself, I see it as a natural part of the growth of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chick-corea/if-i-had-to-look-at-now-he-sings-from-outside-myself-i-see-it-as-a/) [Chick Corea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chick-corea/) > [Every time I see a musician - it doesn't matter what age - that inspires me, there's always a secret little wish that maybe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chick-corea/every-time-i-see-a-musician-it-doesn-t-matter-what-age-that-inspires/) [Chick Corea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chick-corea/) > [My one thing is I continue to be interested and want to be a student. I don't want to be a master. When I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chick-corea/my-one-thing-is-i-continue-to-be-interested-and-want-to-be-a-student/) [Chick Corea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chick-corea/) > [Now, when I play soul piano, for instance, and I play a rendition of 'Spain,' I do it deconstructively. That's the most fun, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chick-corea/now-when-i-play-soul-piano-for-instance-and-i-play-a-rendition-of/) [Chick Corea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chick-corea/) > [I got a chance to listen to and watch Thelonious Monk and his quartet play two shows a night, for six weeks. It was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chick-corea/i-got-a-chance-to-listen-to-and-watch-thelonious-monk-and-his-quartet/) [Chick Corea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chick-corea/) > [My dad was all about music. He was a musician, leading a band when I was born. His band was active all through the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chick-corea/my-dad-was-all-about-music-he-was-a-musician-leading-a-band-when-i/) [Chick Corea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chick-corea/) > [Miles Davis was a part of my life from 1947 on. I was born in 1941 and I first heard him in 1947 on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chick-corea/miles-davis-was-a-part-of-my-life-from-1947-on-i-was-born-in-1941-and/) [Chick Corea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chick-corea/) > [I came along in the '60s having absorbed as much as I could up until then and added my own tastes and search into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chick-corea/i-came-along-in-the-60s-having-absorbed-as-much-as-i-could-up-until/) [Chick Corea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chick-corea/) [Explore all 38 Chick Corea quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chick-corea/) ## More Character quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/) [Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/) > [When you're on a daytime drama you get one page, you better damn well know your character. You better know what she would do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hudgins/when-you-re-on-a-daytime-drama-you-get-one-page-you-better-damn-well/) David Hudgins > [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/) [Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/) > [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [In the fight between biology and morality, biology has commonly won in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/semir-zeki/in-the-fight-between-biology-and-morality-biology-has-commonly-won-in/) [Semir Zeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/semir-zeki/) > [Your looks don't make you pretty, it's the person inside who makes you pretty!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-chan/your-looks-don-t-make-you-pretty-it-s-the-person-inside-who-makes-you/) [Aaron Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-chan/) > [I'm not a huge social media kind of guy, so I don't really know, I don't really ever get... at least in real life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-stroma/i-m-not-a-huge-social-media-kind-of-guy-so-i-don-t-really-know-i-don/) [Freddie Stroma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-stroma/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) [Browse all 32,707 Character quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "As a musician, I don't have one thing that's \"my thing.\" I like to create, and have a lot of outlets for it. 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