---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What I reach for first when I play is…"
description: "\"What I reach for first when I play is sound. Technique maybe, but there is technique in sound.\" — Dewey Redman"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c5d/dewey-redman-64221_firsts_what-i-reach-for-first-when-i-play-is-so_2985431.png"
---

#  What I reach for first when I play is sound. Technique…

![“What I reach for first when I play is sound. Technique maybe, but there is technique in sound.” quote by Dewey Redman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c5d/dewey-redman-64221_firsts_what-i-reach-for-first-when-i-play-is-so_2985431.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c5d/dewey-redman-64221_firsts_what-i-reach-for-first-when-i-play-is-so_2985431.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c5d/dewey-redman-64221_firsts_what-i-reach-for-first-when-i-play-is-so_2985431.png)

> “What I reach for first when I play is sound. Technique maybe, but there is technique in sound.”

[Dewey Redman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dewey-redman/)

## About This Quote

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

Sound is the primary focus in improvisation; technique supports but does not dominate.

**In simple terms:** Music starts with sound, technique follows.

Key Takeaway

Listen first, then refine technique.

Themes

music improvisation sound

Mood

reflective creative

Type

musical educational

When to use this quote

- jazz performance
- audio engineering
- music education
- sound design

Key Concepts

aesthetic technical skill creative process

Questions to Reflect On

- How does focusing on sound change your creative output?
- What balance between intuition and technique works for you?

A Different Perspective

Technique can become a barrier if overemphasized.

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[Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Sound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sound/) [Sound Technique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sound-technique-1294235/) [Technique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technique/) [Technique Maybe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technique-maybe-4664794/) [Technique Sound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technique-sound-4664793/)

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