--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think, until I was 16, classical music…" description: "\"I think, until I was 16, classical music had just seemed like a little bit of a rhythmic wasteland for me. Coming from bluegrass, where one conducts on..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/272/chris-thile-4170_bluegrass_i-think-until-i-was-16-classical-music-h_1519545.jpg" --- # I think, until I was 16, classical music had just seemed… ![“I think, until I was 16, classical music had just seemed like a little bit of a rhythmic wasteland for me. Coming from bluegrass, where one conducts oneself rhythmically, it seemed like such a different approach, and at that point the difference that I was noticing was a real turn off to me.” quote by Chris Thile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/272/chris-thile-4170_bluegrass_i-think-until-i-was-16-classical-music-h_1519545.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/272/chris-thile-4170_bluegrass_i-think-until-i-was-16-classical-music-h_1519545.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/272/chris-thile-4170_bluegrass_i-think-until-i-was-16-classical-music-h_1519545.jpg) > “I think, until I was 16, classical music had just seemed like a little bit of a rhythmic wasteland for me. Coming from bluegrass, where one conducts oneself rhythmically, it seemed like such a different approach, and at that point the difference that I was noticing was a real turn off to me.” [Chris Thile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-thile/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Classical music felt alien compared to rhythmic familiarity of bluegrass, highlighting genre bias. **In simple terms:** He found classical music unrelatable. Key Takeaway Explore unfamiliar music. Themes cultural exposure musical taste genre bias Mood curious open‑minded Type reflective inspirational When to use this quote - listening to symphonies - music education - cross‑genre collaborations Key Concepts ethnomusicology cognitive flexibility Questions to Reflect On - What barriers keep you from appreciating new styles? - How can rhythmic familiarity aid learning? A Different Perspective Personal taste may resist change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [16 Classical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/16-classical-5612613/) [Bluegrass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bluegrass/) [Classical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/classical/) [Classical music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/classical-music/) [Different approach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different-approach/) [I think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-think/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Oneself Rhythmically](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oneself-rhythmically-5612612/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) ## Related quotes > [What makes one type of music classical and one bluegrass and one folk - these things aren't what's important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-thile/what-makes-one-type-of-music-classical-and-one-bluegrass-and-one-folk/) [Chris Thile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-thile/) > [Improvisation is an important part of bluegrass, and I would hasten to add that classical music wasn't always such an improvisational void. Back in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-thile/improvisation-is-an-important-part-of-bluegrass-and-i-would-hasten-to/) [Chris Thile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-thile/) > [I was introduced to classical music by my grandparents - my parents were mostly into folk and jazz. Even as a young man, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-thile/i-was-introduced-to-classical-music-by-my-grandparents-my-parents/) [Chris Thile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-thile/) > [I enjoy bluegrass, folk, gospel, and classical. I don't listen to music when I write. I sometimes listen to music just before I sit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kent-haruf/i-enjoy-bluegrass-folk-gospel-and-classical-i-don-t-listen-to-music/) [Kent Haruf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kent-haruf/) > [I think what people call genre is just a question of orchestration. So, for instance, with Punch Brothers, you look at that band and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-thile/i-think-what-people-call-genre-is-just-a-question-of-orchestration-so/) [Chris Thile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-thile/) > [Growing up in a bluegrass or acoustic-oriented world, the musicians become so focused on performance, as far as playing. We tend to overanalyze the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-thile/growing-up-in-a-bluegrass-or-acoustic-oriented-world-the-musicians/) [Chris Thile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-thile/) > [I certainly love the bluegrass ensemble, I think it's a powerful tool, but I don't think it's more than a tool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-thile/i-certainly-love-the-bluegrass-ensemble-i-think-it-s-a-powerful-tool/) [Chris Thile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-thile/) > [Classical music has become rarefied, like a maiden aunt that nobody wants to talk to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-hazlewood/classical-music-has-become-rarefied-like-a-maiden-aunt-that-nobody/) [Charles Hazlewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-hazlewood/) > [I was able to turn to classical music many people, who saw my programs live and on YouTube, and this is one of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleksey-igudesman/i-was-able-to-turn-to-classical-music-many-people-who-saw-my-programs/) [Aleksey Igudesman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleksey-igudesman/) > [Kolkata is a musical city. What I like about people here is the lack of diplomacy. Some of the best Indian classical musicians belong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sukhwinder-singh/kolkata-is-a-musical-city-what-i-like-about-people-here-is-the-lack/) [Sukhwinder Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sukhwinder-singh/) > [I know this will blow your mind, but most people would probably never ever get it, but I listen to classical music when nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vanilla-ice/i-know-this-will-blow-your-mind-but-most-people-would-probably-never/) [Vanilla Ice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vanilla-ice/) > [I love Adele and Lykke Li. I also listen to classical music as well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/birdy/i-love-adele-and-lykke-li-i-also-listen-to-classical-music-as-well/) [Birdy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/birdy/) > [I listen to classical music very much. There's a lot of jazz that I don't enjoy listening to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-konitz/i-listen-to-classical-music-very-much-there-s-a-lot-of-jazz-that-i/) [Lee Konitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-konitz/) > [It's something he used to say when he was happy. It could be a very, very simple day. We might be sitting out on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-grant/it-s-something-he-used-to-say-when-he-was-happy-it-could-be-a-very/) [Jennifer Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-grant/) > [I'm very fond of classical music, especially Mozart. I find it relaxes me and helps me concentrate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guler-sabanci/i-m-very-fond-of-classical-music-especially-mozart-i-find-it-relaxes/) [Guler Sabanci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guler-sabanci/) ## More by Chris Thile > [A cocktail and an oyster is an awfully good thing after a park, especially one close to water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-thile/a-cocktail-and-an-oyster-is-an-awfully-good-thing-after-a-park/) [Chris Thile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-thile/) > [I think people react so strongly to hearing the human voice, you can't give them too much of it or else they want it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-thile/i-think-people-react-so-strongly-to-hearing-the-human-voice-you-can-t/) [Chris Thile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-thile/) > [I'm always going to need to play in front of people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-thile/i-m-always-going-to-need-to-play-in-front-of-people/) [Chris Thile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-thile/) > [I love music so much. It's like the one thing I'm good at.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-thile/i-love-music-so-much-it-s-like-the-one-thing-i-m-good-at/) [Chris Thile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-thile/) > [Like a sporting event, live events are the one thing you can't have anytime you want them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-thile/like-a-sporting-event-live-events-are-the-one-thing-you-can-t-have/) [Chris Thile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-thile/) > [Musicians and non-musicians alike are priding themselves on the width and breadth of their musical interests, which I think is to be encouraged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-thile/musicians-and-non-musicians-alike-are-priding-themselves-on-the-width/) [Chris Thile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-thile/) > [There's a lot of steps between there not being music and there being music. Composition is one part of that, but if no one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-thile/there-s-a-lot-of-steps-between-there-not-being-music-and-there-being/) [Chris Thile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-thile/) > [The fact that I'm a fifth of Punch Brothers... that's lucky for me because I feel like I get to operate in the context…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-thile/the-fact-that-i-m-a-fifth-of-punch-brothers-that-s-lucky-for-me/) [Chris Thile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-thile/) > [It seems like if they'd given Bob Dylan a pen and paper in the cradle that he would've come up with a great song.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-thile/it-seems-like-if-they-d-given-bob-dylan-a-pen-and-paper-in-the-cradle/) [Chris Thile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-thile/) > [Improvising is writing, too - there was no music and now there's music. So that's composition. And any time you take any sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-thile/improvising-is-writing-too-there-was-no-music-and-now-there-s-music/) [Chris Thile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-thile/) > [It's very hard to make grand, romantic gestures on a mandolin, and there are times, particularly when playing Bach, that you long for just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-thile/it-s-very-hard-to-make-grand-romantic-gestures-on-a-mandolin-and/) [Chris Thile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-thile/) > [Everything in our lives is encouraging us to turn inward with all the technology that we have available to us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-thile/everything-in-our-lives-is-encouraging-us-to-turn-inward-with-all-the/) [Chris Thile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-thile/) > [Improvisation is an important part of bluegrass, and I would hasten to add that classical music wasn't always such an improvisational void. Back in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-thile/improvisation-is-an-important-part-of-bluegrass-and-i-would-hasten-to/) [Chris Thile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-thile/) > [It was kind of sort of the heavens opened up and I realized that Bach, at least, you know - out of all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-thile/it-was-kind-of-sort-of-the-heavens-opened-up-and-i-realized-that-bach/) [Chris Thile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-thile/) > [I think that we'll see the concept of 'genre' continue to die a slow and painful death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-thile/i-think-that-we-ll-see-the-concept-of-genre-continue-to-die-a-slow/) [Chris Thile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-thile/) [Explore all 115 Chris Thile quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-thile/) ## More Bluegrass quotes > [I hope you came out to hear some bluegrass music. If you didn't, we're both in the wrong place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-skaggs/i-hope-you-came-out-to-hear-some-bluegrass-music-if-you-didn-t-we-re/) [Ricky Skaggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-skaggs/) > [Shortly after I started in bluegrass, Ricky Skaggs and I got together and the bluegrass career just snowballed. Being 15 or 16 and making…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-whitley/shortly-after-i-started-in-bluegrass-ricky-skaggs-and-i-got-together/) [Keith Whitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-whitley/) > [I knew I loved playing bluegrass, so I'd end up down there on Sunday nights at the bluegrass jam.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sturgill-simpson/i-knew-i-loved-playing-bluegrass-so-i-d-end-up-down-there-on-sunday/) [Sturgill Simpson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sturgill-simpson/) > [I'm influenced by Django Reinhardt, Stephane Grappelly, Roland Kirk, John Coltrane, B.B. King, and then by bluegrass. But when I was 16, bluegrass wasn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dickey-betts/i-m-influenced-by-django-reinhardt-stephane-grappelly-roland-kirk/) [Dickey Betts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dickey-betts/) > [Ireland and America, music-wise, are very closely related. The Irish came over with their fiddles in hand, and you can hear it in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/imelda-may/ireland-and-america-music-wise-are-very-closely-related-the-irish/) [Imelda May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/imelda-may/) > [That's what I love about Nashville and the music community - seeing kids around acoustic music and bluegrass picking parties is the best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dierks-bentley/that-s-what-i-love-about-nashville-and-the-music-community-seeing/) [Dierks Bentley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dierks-bentley/) > [I like big shows, a lot of volume and a lot of energy. I love electric instruments. But I do love mixing those with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dierks-bentley/i-like-big-shows-a-lot-of-volume-and-a-lot-of-energy-i-love-electric/) [Dierks Bentley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dierks-bentley/) > [I think the singer/songwriter genre is going to be like bluegrass and jazz. You can make a living at it, but it's not part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-earle/i-think-the-singer-songwriter-genre-is-going-to-be-like-bluegrass-and/) [Steve Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-earle/) > [When I hear bluegrass today, I hear so many new sounds in it. It's almost like country music in a way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-skaggs/when-i-hear-bluegrass-today-i-hear-so-many-new-sounds-in-it-it-s/) [Ricky Skaggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-skaggs/) > [In bluegrass, there's a lot of joke-telling and a lot of banter between bandmates. It's like improv or watching the 'Carol Burnett Show.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-mcbryde/in-bluegrass-there-s-a-lot-of-joke-telling-and-a-lot-of-banter/) [Ashley McBryde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-mcbryde/) > [Improvisation is an important part of bluegrass, and I would hasten to add that classical music wasn't always such an improvisational void. Back in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-thile/improvisation-is-an-important-part-of-bluegrass-and-i-would-hasten-to/) [Chris Thile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-thile/) > [I think there are people out there writing original bluegrass songs, but it's hard to get them out on the air.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/i-think-there-are-people-out-there-writing-original-bluegrass-songs/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [We came out of bluegrass, so we could play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martie-maguire/we-came-out-of-bluegrass-so-we-could-play/) [Martie Maguire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martie-maguire/) > [I listen to instrumental jazz and bluegrass, but aside from my AM workout, I have no rituals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-b-coe/i-listen-to-instrumental-jazz-and-bluegrass-but-aside-from-my-am/) [David B. Coe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-b-coe/) > [I actually grew up singing bluegrass gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carly-pearce/i-actually-grew-up-singing-bluegrass-gospel/) [Carly Pearce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carly-pearce/) [Browse all 121 Bluegrass quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bluegrass/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think, until I was 16, classical music had just seemed like a little bit of a rhythmic wasteland for me. 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