--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I kinda always wanted to be a tenor…" description: "\"I kinda always wanted to be a tenor player, but I'm a small guy, and tenor was just too big.\" — David Sanborn" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/735/david-sanborn-13730_always_i-kinda-always-wanted-to-be-a-tenor-play_2920513.jpg" --- # I kinda always wanted to be a tenor player, but I'm a… ![“I kinda always wanted to be a tenor player, but I'm a small guy, and tenor was just too big.” quote by David Sanborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/735/david-sanborn-13730_always_i-kinda-always-wanted-to-be-a-tenor-play_2920513.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/735/david-sanborn-13730_always_i-kinda-always-wanted-to-be-a-tenor-play_2920513.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/735/david-sanborn-13730_always_i-kinda-always-wanted-to-be-a-tenor-play_2920513.jpg) > “I kinda always wanted to be a tenor player, but I'm a small guy, and tenor was just too big.” [David Sanborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sanborn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A small person feels unsuited for a large instrument, highlighting self‑image versus aspiration. **In simple terms:** Feeling too small for a big role. Key Takeaway Accept your size, find fitting expression. Themes self‑image music confidence Mood reflective determined Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - band auditions - instrument selection - personal growth Key Concepts instrument choice identity adaptation Questions to Reflect On - Can you excel with a different instrument? - How does self‑perception affect artistic choices? A Different Perspective Physical size may limit certain instruments, but technique can compensate. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [ I would sit in at a jazz brunch \[at sweet Basil\] with Eddie Chamblee, who was a great tenor player. Really a kind man.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gordon/i-would-sit-in-at-a-jazz-brunch-at-sweet-basil-with-eddie-chamblee/) [Jon Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gordon/) > [I am not a small guy - I will be the first to say it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adebayo-akinfenwa/i-am-not-a-small-guy-i-will-be-the-first-to-say-it/) [Adebayo Akinfenwa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adebayo-akinfenwa/) > [I'm not a small guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-poirier/i-m-not-a-small-guy/) [Dustin Poirier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-poirier/) > [I was always lifting things over my head, so for a small guy I have a lot of power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-sugg/i-was-always-lifting-things-over-my-head-so-for-a-small-guy-i-have-a/) [Joe Sugg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-sugg/) > [I mean quote-unquote 'always being the small guy' has been fun for me because it's a challenge and I love challenges.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandin-cooks/i-mean-quote-unquote-always-being-the-small-guy-has-been-fun-for-me/) [Brandin Cooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandin-cooks/) > [I'm a small guy slaying giants and I'll keep doing so.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricio-freire/i-m-a-small-guy-slaying-giants-and-i-ll-keep-doing-so/) [Patricio Freire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricio-freire/) > [I'm just a small guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetrious-johnson/i-m-just-a-small-guy/) [Demetrious Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetrious-johnson/) > [Because you're a smaller guy, you're at a disadvantage and you need to be better offensively, defensively, at making plays and stuff like that.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-gaudreau/because-you-re-a-smaller-guy-you-re-at-a-disadvantage-and-you-need-to/) [Johnny Gaudreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-gaudreau/) > [I realized in myself, look, I'm a small guy. I'm never going to be 250 pounds - I'm never going to be 6'5'' -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-gargano/i-realized-in-myself-look-i-m-a-small-guy-i-m-never-going-to-be-250/) [Johnny Gargano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-gargano/) > [Growing up, I was always the small guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-gretzky/growing-up-i-was-always-the-small-guy/) [Wayne Gretzky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-gretzky/) > [I'm just a small guy so if I'd dropped any more weight it would have been a bit ridiculous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-bell/i-m-just-a-small-guy-so-if-i-d-dropped-any-more-weight-it-would-have/) [Jamie Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-bell/) > [I'm not a small guy. I can get up to 205 pounds and be athletic and be in shape.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chiesa/i-m-not-a-small-guy-i-can-get-up-to-205-pounds-and-be-athletic-and-be/) [Michael Chiesa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chiesa/) > [Well, I'm a small guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-marchand/well-i-m-a-small-guy/) [Brad Marchand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-marchand/) > [A tenor is not a man but a disease.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-von-bulow/a-tenor-is-not-a-man-but-a-disease/) [Hans von Bulow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-von-bulow/) > [He had a bright, reckless tenor that was always wandering off, looking for notes in the wrong places.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/he-had-a-bright-reckless-tenor-that-was-always-wandering-off-looking/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) ## More by David Sanborn > [Jazz music should be inclusive. Smooth jazz to me rules out a certain kind of drama and a certain tension that I think all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sanborn/jazz-music-should-be-inclusive-smooth-jazz-to-me-rules-out-a-certain/) [David Sanborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sanborn/) > [In regard to music, I just think that it's always best to have an attitude of being a perpetual student and always look to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sanborn/in-regard-to-music-i-just-think-that-it-s-always-best-to-have-an/) [David Sanborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sanborn/) > [Its all about finding the right note at the right place and knowing when to leave well enough alone. And that's a lifelong quest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sanborn/its-all-about-finding-the-right-note-at-the-right-place-and-knowing/) [David Sanborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sanborn/) > [While St. Louis is technically regarded as part of the Mid-West, it's actually - geographically and emotionally - more part of the South. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sanborn/while-st-louis-is-technically-regarded-as-part-of-the-mid-west-it-s/) [David Sanborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sanborn/) > [I have a certain temperament, a disposition that I think lends itself to not playing outside the lines that much. But I do test…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sanborn/i-have-a-certain-temperament-a-disposition-that-i-think-lends-itself/) [David Sanborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sanborn/) > [I don't think I'm modest so much as I'm realistic. I know what I can do and what I can't do. I know what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sanborn/i-don-t-think-i-m-modest-so-much-as-i-m-realistic-i-know-what-i-can/) [David Sanborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sanborn/) > [I always wanna be in the process of evolving and growing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sanborn/i-always-wanna-be-in-the-process-of-evolving-and-growing/) [David Sanborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sanborn/) > [I'm moved by a lot of different kinds of music, whether it's pop music or R&B or straight-ahead jazz or free or opera or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sanborn/i-m-moved-by-a-lot-of-different-kinds-of-music-whether-it-s-pop-music/) [David Sanborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sanborn/) > [I think a valid approach to being a musician is to take all of the experience of your life and filter it through your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sanborn/i-think-a-valid-approach-to-being-a-musician-is-to-take-all-of-the/) [David Sanborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sanborn/) > [All the music that I've made in the past I've believed in. I think some of it has been more commercially successful than others,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sanborn/all-the-music-that-i-ve-made-in-the-past-i-ve-believed-in-i-think/) [David Sanborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sanborn/) > [Well, I guess my unease with that is... I'm always a little uneasy with that phrase - smooth jazz, as opposed to what?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sanborn/well-i-guess-my-unease-with-that-is-i-m-always-a-little-uneasy-with/) [David Sanborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sanborn/) > [Music is like an open sky. You know it's out there... and there you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sanborn/music-is-like-an-open-sky-you-know-it-s-out-there-and-there-you-are/) [David Sanborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sanborn/) > [I think that that's the way the music grows and changes and becomes new and creative and vital. It's by synthesizing elements from all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sanborn/i-think-that-that-s-the-way-the-music-grows-and-changes-and-becomes/) [David Sanborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sanborn/) > [I try to do things that keep me interested. And play music that moves me. I like to move around and play in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sanborn/i-try-to-do-things-that-keep-me-interested-and-play-music-that-moves/) [David Sanborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sanborn/) > [I think that, given a real choice, people would like to hear something interesting, not something bland and right down the middle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sanborn/i-think-that-given-a-real-choice-people-would-like-to-hear-something/) [David Sanborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sanborn/) [Explore all 49 David Sanborn quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sanborn/) ## More Always quotes > [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/) [Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/) > [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/) [Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/) > [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/) > [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/) [William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/) [Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) Browse all 36,048 Always quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I kinda always wanted to be a tenor player, but I'm a small guy, and tenor was just too big.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "David Sanborn" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sanborn/i-kinda-always-wanted-to-be-a-tenor-player-but-i-m-a-small-guy-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Always" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sanborn/i-kinda-always-wanted-to-be-a-tenor-player-but-i-m-a-small-guy-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/735/david-sanborn-13730_always_i-kinda-always-wanted-to-be-a-tenor-play_2920513.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/735/david-sanborn-13730_always_i-kinda-always-wanted-to-be-a-tenor-play_2920513.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/735/david-sanborn-13730_always_i-kinda-always-wanted-to-be-a-tenor-play_2920513.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I kinda always wanted to be a tenor player, but I'm a small guy, and tenor was just too big.” — David Sanborn", "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": "David Sanborn", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sanborn/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I kinda always wanted to be...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sanborn/i-kinda-always-wanted-to-be-a-tenor-player-but-i-m-a-small-guy-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sanborn/i-kinda-always-wanted-to-be-a-tenor-player-but-i-m-a-small-guy-and/#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 } } ] } ```