--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Don't be a perfectionist... leave that to…" description: "\"Don't be a perfectionist... leave that to the classical musicians.\" — Dave Brubeck" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b8/dave-brubeck-10370_classical-music_don-t-be-a-perfectionist-leave-that-to-t_2072059.jpg" --- # Don't be a perfectionist... leave that to the classical… ![“Don't be a perfectionist... leave that to the classical musicians.” quote by Dave Brubeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b8/dave-brubeck-10370_classical-music_don-t-be-a-perfectionist-leave-that-to-t_2072059.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b8/dave-brubeck-10370_classical-music_don-t-be-a-perfectionist-leave-that-to-t_2072059.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b8/dave-brubeck-10370_classical-music_don-t-be-a-perfectionist-leave-that-to-t_2072059.jpg) > “Don't be a perfectionist... leave that to the classical musicians.” [Dave Brubeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-brubeck/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Perfectionism belongs to classical musicians; others should embrace imperfection. **In simple terms:** Leave perfection to classical music. Key Takeaway Accept imperfection in performance. Themes music perfection creativity Mood playful thoughtful Type musical philosophical When to use this quote - jazz improvisation - live gigs - recording sessions - music education Key Concepts classical vs. jazz imperfection artistic freedom Questions to Reflect On - When is striving for perfection beneficial? - How does imperfection enhance expression? A Different Perspective Perfection can drive excellence; not always negative. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Classical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/classical/) [Classical music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/classical-music/) [Classical musicians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/classical-musicians/) [Jazz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jazz/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Musician](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/musician/) [Perfectionist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfectionist/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) ## Related quotes > [Jazz stands for freedom. It's supposed to be the voice of freedom: Get out there and improvise, and take chances, and don't be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-brubeck/jazz-stands-for-freedom-it-s-supposed-to-be-the-voice-of-freedom-get/) [Dave Brubeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-brubeck/) > [Kolkata is a musical city. What I like about people here is the lack of diplomacy. 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That music has gone on for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahsaan-roland-kirk/you-don-t-see-the-european-classical-musicians-allowing-the-music-of/) [Rahsaan Roland Kirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahsaan-roland-kirk/) > [Iceland is so small; classical musicians play on pop projects and pop musicians play with jazz musicians.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laufey/iceland-is-so-small-classical-musicians-play-on-pop-projects-and-pop/) [Laufey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laufey/) > [I know I’m an African-American, and I know I play the saxophone, but I’m not a jazz musician. I’m not a classical musician, either.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-braxton/i-know-i-m-an-african-american-and-i-know-i-play-the-saxophone-but-i/) [Anthony Braxton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-braxton/) > [All of us in the field must remain constantly vigilant and fight against all types of inappropriate and hurtful behavior and continue the essential…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andris-nelsons/all-of-us-in-the-field-must-remain-constantly-vigilant-and-fight/) [Andris Nelsons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andris-nelsons/) ## More by Dave Brubeck > [I think the church should strive to give parishioners good music. Music is as necessary for worship as a building with a beautiful altar,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-brubeck/i-think-the-church-should-strive-to-give-parishioners-good-music/) [Dave Brubeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-brubeck/) > [My own Brubeck Institute in California is turning out fantastic young jazz players, and I know great things will happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-brubeck/my-own-brubeck-institute-in-california-is-turning-out-fantastic-young/) [Dave Brubeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-brubeck/) > [You have to be taught to hate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-brubeck/you-have-to-be-taught-to-hate/) [Dave Brubeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-brubeck/) > [When I was 20, Shostakovich was my favorite composer. I still find his Fifth Symphony wonderful, with its outstanding themes and rhythms. 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