--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This all came of a conversation I had…" description: "\"This all came of a conversation I had with [John] Steinbeck once when we were standing in a men's room somewhere. Steinbeck asked me why I didn't play ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d25/eddie-condon-39026_banjo_this-all-came-of-a-conversation-i-had-wi_1847661.png" --- # This all came of a conversation I had with \[John\]… ![“This all came of a conversation I had with [John] Steinbeck once when we were standing in a men's room somewhere. Steinbeck asked me why I didn't play the banjo any more and I told him that went out with the high-button shoes.” quote by Eddie Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d25/eddie-condon-39026_banjo_this-all-came-of-a-conversation-i-had-wi_1847661.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d25/eddie-condon-39026_banjo_this-all-came-of-a-conversation-i-had-wi_1847661.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d25/eddie-condon-39026_banjo_this-all-came-of-a-conversation-i-had-wi_1847661.png) > “This all came of a conversation I had with \[John\] Steinbeck once when we were standing in a men's room somewhere. Steinbeck asked me why I didn't play the banjo any more and I told him that went out with the high-button shoes.” [Eddie Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-condon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Creative constraints and personal choices shape artistic expression, sometimes limiting spontaneity. **In simple terms:** Choices affect art. Key Takeaway Balance discipline with freedom. Themes creativity discipline artistic expression Mood reflective inspirational Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - musicians - songwriters - creative workshops Key Concepts music history personal habit performance Questions to Reflect On - How do your habits influence your art? - When is restriction beneficial? A Different Perspective Constraints can also spark innovation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Banjos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/banjos/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Conversation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conversation/) [Jazz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jazz/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) ## Related quotes > [Id be happiest standing at the back, strumming my little banjo where no one could see me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-grint/id-be-happiest-standing-at-the-back-strumming-my-little-banjo-where/) [Rupert Grint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-grint/) > [I was 16 when I came to New York. I had graduated to a tenor banjo in the school jazz band, and it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-seeger/i-was-16-when-i-came-to-new-york-i-had-graduated-to-a-tenor-banjo-in/) [Pete Seeger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-seeger/) > [There's many a good tune played by an old banjo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hopkins/there-s-many-a-good-tune-played-by-an-old-banjo/) [Anthony Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hopkins/) > [As I try to get around with a guitar, a banjo and a suitcase of high heels and dresses, I treasure that little ukulele.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-june/as-i-try-to-get-around-with-a-guitar-a-banjo-and-a-suitcase-of-high/) [Valerie June](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-june/) > [Being from New York, I wonder why am I inspired by bluegrass and Earl Scruggs? But when I look at the whole history of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bela-fleck/being-from-new-york-i-wonder-why-am-i-inspired-by-bluegrass-and-earl/) [Bela Fleck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bela-fleck/) > [Whenever a big white man picks up a banjo, my cheeks tighten.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-williams/whenever-a-big-white-man-picks-up-a-banjo-my-cheeks-tighten/) [Robin Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-williams/) > [My dad also plays a little banjo and guitar, my mom plays the mandolin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/page-mcconnell/my-dad-also-plays-a-little-banjo-and-guitar-my-mom-plays-the-mandolin/) [Page McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/page-mcconnell/) > [There are a lot of chapters to the banjo's history. Part of it are the roots in Africa, where it's a more primitive instrument.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bela-fleck/there-are-a-lot-of-chapters-to-the-banjo-s-history-part-of-it-are-the/) [Bela Fleck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bela-fleck/) > [I've heard of people stopping their cars, having car wrecks, all kinds of things. But most of the banjo players I know had that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-scruggs/i-ve-heard-of-people-stopping-their-cars-having-car-wrecks-all-kinds/) [Earl Scruggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-scruggs/) > [A gentleman is someone who knows how to play the banjo and doesn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/a-gentleman-is-someone-who-knows-how-to-play-the-banjo-and-doesn-t/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [Nothing says 'dropping out of society' like learning the banjo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-roth/nothing-says-dropping-out-of-society-like-learning-the-banjo/) Daniel Roth > [Earl Scruggs had this thing that it wasn't just the technique or even the instrument. It was him. There was this soulful quality that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-scruggs/earl-scruggs-had-this-thing-that-it-wasn-t-just-the-technique-or-even/) [Earl Scruggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-scruggs/) > [When we moved back to the US, folk music was all the rage. So I traded in my banjo for a guitar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-storm/when-we-moved-back-to-the-us-folk-music-was-all-the-rage-so-i-traded/) [Michael Storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-storm/) > [When I was very young my mother sang to me at bedtime and my dad would often play the banjo or fiddle in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-block/when-i-was-very-young-my-mother-sang-to-me-at-bedtime-and-my-dad/) Rory Block > [Well, you know, the original banjos were all handmade instruments. Gourd - it would be made with gourds and whatever, you know, materials would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhiannon-giddens/well-you-know-the-original-banjos-were-all-handmade-instruments-gourd/) [Rhiannon Giddens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhiannon-giddens/) ## More by Eddie Condon > [ \[Louis Armstrong\] could play a trumpet like nobody else, then put it down and sing a song like no one else could. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-condon/louis-armstrong-could-play-a-trumpet-like-nobody-else-then-put-it/) [Eddie Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-condon/) > [As it enters the ear, does it come in like broken glass, or does it come in like honey?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-condon/as-it-enters-the-ear-does-it-come-in-like-broken-glass-or-does-it/) [Eddie Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-condon/) > [Someday we may have as many followers as the harpsichord.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-condon/someday-we-may-have-as-many-followers-as-the-harpsichord/) [Eddie Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-condon/) > [Ted Lewis could make the clarinet talk. What it said was put me back in the case!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-condon/ted-lewis-could-make-the-clarinet-talk-what-it-said-was-put-me-back/) [Eddie Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-condon/) > [Krupa's drums went through us like a triple bourbon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-condon/krupa-s-drums-went-through-us-like-a-triple-bourbon/) [Eddie Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-condon/) > [They flat their fifths, we drink ours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-condon/they-flat-their-fifths-we-drink-ours/) [Eddie Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-condon/) > [Finally Beiderbecke came out with a silver cornet. He put it to his lips and blew a phrase. The sound came out like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-condon/finally-beiderbecke-came-out-with-a-silver-cornet-he-put-it-to-his/) [Eddie Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-condon/) > [For a bad hangover take the juice of two quarts of whisky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-condon/for-a-bad-hangover-take-the-juice-of-two-quarts-of-whisky/) [Eddie Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-condon/) > [Paul Desmond sounds like a female alcoholic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-condon/paul-desmond-sounds-like-a-female-alcoholic/) [Eddie Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-condon/) > [Brubeck, for instance, is not careless. He's a studied guy. And even if his picture ends up on the back cover of Life, he's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-condon/brubeck-for-instance-is-not-careless-he-s-a-studied-guy-and-even-if/) [Eddie Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-condon/) [Explore all 11 Eddie Condon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-condon/) ## More Banjo quotes > [Id be happiest standing at the back, strumming my little banjo where no one could see me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-grint/id-be-happiest-standing-at-the-back-strumming-my-little-banjo-where/) [Rupert Grint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-grint/) > [When I was very young my mother sang to me at bedtime and my dad would often play the banjo or fiddle in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-block/when-i-was-very-young-my-mother-sang-to-me-at-bedtime-and-my-dad/) Rory Block > [Pete Seeger is a modest, unassuming, cheerful, and kind-natured man. He's a good folk singer, if you can stand folk singing. And he's such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/pete-seeger-is-a-modest-unassuming-cheerful-and-kind-natured-man-he-s/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [When we moved back to the US, folk music was all the rage. So I traded in my banjo for a guitar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-storm/when-we-moved-back-to-the-us-folk-music-was-all-the-rage-so-i-traded/) [Michael Storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-storm/) > [My family was always playing music; I always enjoyed it. My cousin, who is a little older than me, he started playing music, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vile/my-family-was-always-playing-music-i-always-enjoyed-it-my-cousin-who/) [Kurt Vile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vile/) > [Earl Scruggs had this thing that it wasn't just the technique or even the instrument. It was him. There was this soulful quality that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-scruggs/earl-scruggs-had-this-thing-that-it-wasn-t-just-the-technique-or-even/) [Earl Scruggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-scruggs/) > [Nothing says 'dropping out of society' like learning the banjo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-roth/nothing-says-dropping-out-of-society-like-learning-the-banjo/) Daniel Roth > [“banjo. A plucked, fretted lute where a thin skin diaphragm is stretched over a circular metal frame amplifying the sound of the strings. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-doherty/banjo-a-plucked-fretted-lute-where-a-thin-skin-diaphragm-is-stretched/) Liz Doherty > [When I first heard the minstrel banjo - I played a gourd first - I almost lost my mind. I was like, Oh, my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhiannon-giddens/when-i-first-heard-the-minstrel-banjo-i-played-a-gourd-first-i-almost/) [Rhiannon Giddens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhiannon-giddens/) > [A gentleman is someone who knows how to play the banjo and doesn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/a-gentleman-is-someone-who-knows-how-to-play-the-banjo-and-doesn-t/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [I've heard of people stopping their cars, having car wrecks, all kinds of things. But most of the banjo players I know had that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-scruggs/i-ve-heard-of-people-stopping-their-cars-having-car-wrecks-all-kinds/) [Earl Scruggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-scruggs/) > [There are a lot of chapters to the banjo's history. Part of it are the roots in Africa, where it's a more primitive instrument.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bela-fleck/there-are-a-lot-of-chapters-to-the-banjo-s-history-part-of-it-are-the/) [Bela Fleck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bela-fleck/) > [My dad also plays a little banjo and guitar, my mom plays the mandolin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/page-mcconnell/my-dad-also-plays-a-little-banjo-and-guitar-my-mom-plays-the-mandolin/) [Page McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/page-mcconnell/) > [Whenever a big white man picks up a banjo, my cheeks tighten.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-williams/whenever-a-big-white-man-picks-up-a-banjo-my-cheeks-tighten/) [Robin Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-williams/) > [“There was talk of the Centaur being moved into the elephant cages to make room for a banjo-picking Minotaur. Surrendering his meager furnishings to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-roff/there-was-talk-of-the-centaur-being-moved-into-the-elephant-cages-to/) [Don Roff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-roff/) Browse all 104 Banjo quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "This all came of a conversation I had with [John] Steinbeck once when we were standing in a men's room somewhere. 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