--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's really hard to teach me anything. I…" description: "\"It's really hard to teach me anything. I can't read music. I never learned how to read music. I read books about things and try to learn - I don't like..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/78d/don-mclean-6904_book_it-s-really-hard-to-teach-me-anything-i_878489.jpg" --- # It's really hard to teach me anything. I can't read music… ![“It's really hard to teach me anything. I can't read music. I never learned how to read music. I read books about things and try to learn - I don't like to learn from anybody. Later on I would, once I'd get the hang of things. Like I ride horses, I'm good at that, Western riding. I learned all…” quote by Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/78d/don-mclean-6904_book_it-s-really-hard-to-teach-me-anything-i_878489.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/78d/don-mclean-6904_book_it-s-really-hard-to-teach-me-anything-i_878489.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/78d/don-mclean-6904_book_it-s-really-hard-to-teach-me-anything-i_878489.jpg) > “It's really hard to teach me anything. I can't read music. I never learned how to read music. I read books about things and try to learn - I don't like to learn from anybody. Later on I would, once I'd get the hang of things. Like I ride horses, I'm good at that, Western riding. I learned all about it reading and studying. I'm always learning about horses, I like that.” [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker struggles with formal music reading, prefers self‑directed learning, and excels in practical, hands‑on skills like horse riding. **In simple terms:** Learns best through self‑study and practice, not formal instruction. Key Takeaway Adopt learning methods that match your strengths. Themes learning self‑directed practical skills Mood introspective motivational Type personal educational When to use this quote - learning a new instrument - horse riding - DIY projects - personal development Key Concepts autodidacticism kinesthetic learning skill acquisition Questions to Reflect On - What learning style suits you best? - How can you combine self‑study with mentorship? A Different Perspective Self‑study may miss foundational theory. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Horse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/horse/) [Learning Horses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning-horses-1028975/) [Like Learn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-learn/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Music Learned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music-learned-505451/) [Reading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reading/) [Riding Learned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/riding-learned-1028974/) [Study](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/study/) [Teach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teach/) [Try Learn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/try-learn/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [Western](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/western/) ## Related quotes > [I was doing experimental noise-based music and I learned a number of things about performance. I was playing small shows - sometimes without a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erika-m-anderson/i-was-doing-experimental-noise-based-music-and-i-learned-a-number-of/) [Erika M. Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erika-m-anderson/) > [I was in the band as a boy and was taught music and learned to compose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-wisdom/i-was-in-the-band-as-a-boy-and-was-taught-music-and-learned-to-compose/) [Norman Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-wisdom/) > [“What if instead of reading, you wrote? Instead of watching TV, you made videos? Instead of listening to music, you learned how to play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-jarvis/what-if-instead-of-reading-you-wrote-instead-of-watching-tv-you-made/) [Paul Jarvis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-jarvis/) > [It's interesting to do other people's music - that's how I learned to play, by learning other people's songs. It's nice to delve into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meshell-ndegeocello/it-s-interesting-to-do-other-people-s-music-that-s-how-i-learned-to/) [Meshell Ndegeocello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meshell-ndegeocello/) > [When I was 12 or 13, my dad taught me a couple of different chords, and once I learned chords, I never learned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-rhett/when-i-was-12-or-13-my-dad-taught-me-a-couple-of-different-chords-and/) [Thomas Rhett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-rhett/) > [I used to not really know any other people when I was young that wanted to play music - that's why I learned everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-berry/i-used-to-not-really-know-any-other-people-when-i-was-young-that/) [Matt Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-berry/) > [Artists like Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Albert King, Ann Peebles, Isaac Hayes, and so many more gave me hope when I was an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-rodgers/artists-like-otis-redding-sam-dave-albert-king-ann-peebles-isaac/) [Paul Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-rodgers/) > [I learned music from a book on piano theory. I was only interested in knowing about chords. From that, and from the 'Harvard Dictionary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-becker/i-learned-music-from-a-book-on-piano-theory-i-was-only-interested-in/) [Walter Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-becker/) > [I had 10 years of lessons at the conservatory in Belgium, studying classical music. I learned how to sing, play the piano, and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lara-fabian/i-had-10-years-of-lessons-at-the-conservatory-in-belgium-studying/) [Lara Fabian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lara-fabian/) > [I was just a huge fan of music, so that's how I learned how to rap.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amine/i-was-just-a-huge-fan-of-music-so-that-s-how-i-learned-how-to-rap/) [Amine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amine/) > [The music that I have learned and want to give is like worshipping God. It's absolutely like a prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-shankar/the-music-that-i-have-learned-and-want-to-give-is-like-worshipping/) [Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-shankar/) > [Music will still be a big part of our environment. The Bible talks about choirs of angels and how there is singing in Heaven.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-berg/music-will-still-be-a-big-part-of-our-environment-the-bible-talks/) [David Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-berg/) > [“Once, he'd been satisfied by the music alone. Now he had learned about friendship...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-farmer/once-he-d-been-satisfied-by-the-music-alone-now-he-had-learned-about/) [Nancy Farmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-farmer/) > [Anytime I'm playing music or getting ready to record, Duane Allman will enter my thoughts, and so will Berry Oakley. It's part of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dickey-betts/anytime-i-m-playing-music-or-getting-ready-to-record-duane-allman/) [Dickey Betts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dickey-betts/) > [As time went on, we formed a number of different bands. We played in rival, neighborhood bands. We learned more songs and we learned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-kramer/as-time-went-on-we-formed-a-number-of-different-bands-we-played-in/) [Wayne Kramer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-kramer/) ## More by Don McLean > [My parents were not musical, and they were not effervescent people; everything was very quiet. The music that I played was loud; it used…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/my-parents-were-not-musical-and-they-were-not-effervescent-people/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [I am what I do, and that's partly why I don't want to give up singing. But when I can't sing well, I will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/i-am-what-i-do-and-that-s-partly-why-i-don-t-want-to-give-up-singing/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [The society that produced The Who, The Stones, Dylan, Paul McCartney and later on people, like myself, is over. The materialistic society that produces…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/the-society-that-produced-the-who-the-stones-dylan-paul-mccartney-and/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [And if she asks you why you can tell her that I told you That I'm tired of Castles in the Air I've got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/and-if-she-asks-you-why-you-can-tell-her-that-i-told-you-that-i-m/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [I saw satan laughing with delight The day the music died.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/i-saw-satan-laughing-with-delight-the-day-the-music-died/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [I mean, I've been given a terrific life by the audiences who stuck with me all over the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/i-mean-i-ve-been-given-a-terrific-life-by-the-audiences-who-stuck/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [You're going to be buying your ticket with your heartache, you're gonna be payin' the man with your dues. You're gonna be living alone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/you-re-going-to-be-buying-your-ticket-with-your-heartache-you-re/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [Starry, starry night, flaming flowers that brightly blaze, swirling clouds in violet haze reflect Vincent's eyes of china blue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/starry-starry-night-flaming-flowers-that-brightly-blaze-swirling/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [Faces come and faces go in circular rotation.But something yearns within to grow beyond infatuation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/faces-come-and-faces-go-in-circular-rotation-but-something-yearns/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [Every thread of creation is held in position by still other strands of things living. In an earthly tapestry hung from the skyline of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/every-thread-of-creation-is-held-in-position-by-still-other-strands/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [Herman Melville was supposed to be an accountant. Van Gogh was meant to be an art dealer. I was meant to take the train…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/herman-melville-was-supposed-to-be-an-accountant-van-gogh-was-meant/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [American Pie speaks to the loss that we feel. That's why that song has found the niche that it has.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/american-pie-speaks-to-the-loss-that-we-feel-that-s-why-that-song-has/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [And when no hope was left inside on that starry, starry night, you took your life as lovers often do. But I could have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/and-when-no-hope-was-left-inside-on-that-starry-starry-night-you-took/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [The horrible thing about Death of princess Diana - the sacrificial lamb, which she was. And I believe, in a sense, John Kennedy, Jr.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/the-horrible-thing-about-death-of-princess-diana-the-sacrificial-lamb/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [Not a word was spoken. The church bells all were broken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/not-a-word-was-spoken-the-church-bells-all-were-broken/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) [Explore all 96 Don McLean quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) ## More Book quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [If I had a dollar for every time I couldn’t sleep, I could buy a billion locks and finally read a book in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop-rock/if-i-had-a-dollar-for-every-time-i-couldn-t-sleep-i-could-buy-a/) [Aesop Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop-rock/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [The Rosary is the book of the blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/the-rosary-is-the-book-of-the-blind/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [I have many who keep me going, I am very fortunate in this sense. 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I can't read music. I never learned how to read music. I read books about things and try to learn - I don't like to learn from anybody. Later on I would, once I'd get the hang of things. Like I ride horses, I'm good at that, Western riding. I learned all about it reading and studying. 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