--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My music teacher was like, \"Ester, you…" description: "\"My music teacher was like, \"Ester, you need to pay attention in class.\" I'm like, \"No miss lady, 'cause I can sing.\" I didn't want anybody to change th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/087/ester-dean-13160_attention_my-music-teacher-was-like-ester-you-need_3023364.jpg" --- # My music teacher was like, "Ester, you need to pay… ![“My music teacher was like, "Ester, you need to pay attention in class." I'm like, "No miss lady, 'cause I can sing." I didn't want anybody to change the way I sung. I learned by gospel CDs and by watching my momma sing; I didn't need this teacher to tell me. I wish I had, because then I would have…” quote by Ester Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/087/ester-dean-13160_attention_my-music-teacher-was-like-ester-you-need_3023364.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/087/ester-dean-13160_attention_my-music-teacher-was-like-ester-you-need_3023364.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/087/ester-dean-13160_attention_my-music-teacher-was-like-ester-you-need_3023364.jpg) > “My music teacher was like, "Ester, you need to pay attention in class." I'm like, "No miss lady, 'cause I can sing." I didn't want anybody to change the way I sung. I learned by gospel CDs and by watching my momma sing; I didn't need this teacher to tell me. I wish I had, because then I would have learned how to play the damn piano or something. I would have a couple of more things under my belt if I wasn't so hard-headed.” [Ester Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ester-dean/) ## 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 reflects on self-directed learning versus formal instruction, expressing regret over missed opportunities. **In simple terms:** Self-learning versus formal teaching regrets. Key Takeaway Balance self-teaching with guidance. Themes education self-reliance regret Mood reflective regretful Type educational personal When to use this quote - learning instruments - skill development - career planning Key Concepts music learning personal growth Questions to Reflect On - When is formal instruction essential? - How to integrate self-learning with mentorship? A Different Perspective May undervalue formal training. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Cds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cds/) [Class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/class/) [Couple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/couple/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Music making](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music-making/) [Music teacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music-teacher/) [My momma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-momma/) [Piano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/piano/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Teacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teacher/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [I remember I was in music class, I was a senior in high school, and my music teacher was like, "You should be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-mcdonald/i-remember-i-was-in-music-class-i-was-a-senior-in-high-school-and-my/) [Heather McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-mcdonald/) > [Everyone in my family can sing - my momma can sing, my cousins. I was in the third grade and I was that kid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ester-dean/everyone-in-my-family-can-sing-my-momma-can-sing-my-cousins-i-was-in/) [Ester Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ester-dean/) > [We need teacher educators who are hungry to learn about and implement contemporary approaches to teaching and learning in their own classrooms and who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-ann-tomlinson/we-need-teacher-educators-who-are-hungry-to-learn-about-and-implement/) [Carol Ann Tomlinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-ann-tomlinson/) > [For a game, you don’t need a teacher.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dejan-stojanovic/for-a-game-you-don-t-need-a-teacher/) [Dejan Stojanovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dejan-stojanovic/) > [There is no need of a teacher for those who know how to think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/there-is-no-need-of-a-teacher-for-those-who-know-how-to-think/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [“You need a teacher, because those who can’t do, teach. So if you wanna learn something, go to someone who can’t do it. Dammit,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-hart/you-need-a-teacher-because-those-who-can-t-do-teach-so-if-you-wanna/) [Kevin Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-hart/) > [You may not need a teacher or you may be drawn to one - everything is individual. But the main thing you need to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/you-may-not-need-a-teacher-or-you-may-be-drawn-to-one-everything-is/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [For a game, you dont need a teacher.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dejan-stojanovic/for-a-game-you-dont-need-a-teacher/) [Dejan Stojanovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dejan-stojanovic/) > [I need a teacher quite as much as Helen. I know the education of this child will be the distinguishing event of my life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-need-a-teacher-quite-as-much-as-helen-i-know-the-education-of-this/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Don't try to do this by yourself: to become a good yogi you need a teacher. Find a teacher you can bow to, who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-gannon/don-t-try-to-do-this-by-yourself-to-become-a-good-yogi-you-need-a/) [Sharon Gannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-gannon/) > [I was useless in the classroom; I would spend my time looking out of the window after the first 10 minutes. But when you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-paphitis/i-was-useless-in-the-classroom-i-would-spend-my-time-looking-out-of/) [Theo Paphitis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-paphitis/) > [The teacher can always tell when you did your homework on the bus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-lewis/the-teacher-can-always-tell-when-you-did-your-homework-on-the-bus/) [Cynthia Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-lewis/) > [“Teacher: Tell me a way to prevent a disease caused by biting insects. Student: Don't get bitten by them!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/various/teacher-tell-me-a-way-to-prevent-a-disease-caused-by-biting-insects/) Various > [“I remember the number to the school’s desk because last year, Molly thought it would be funny to prank-call a teacher and tell them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-wilkinson/i-remember-the-number-to-the-school-s-desk-because-last-year-molly/) [Sophie Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-wilkinson/) > [In the end, as any successful teacher will tell you, you can only teach the things that you are. If we practice racism then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lerner/in-the-end-as-any-successful-teacher-will-tell-you-you-can-only-teach/) [Max Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lerner/) ## More by Ester Dean > [I'm more than a songwriter. I'm a creative person. Some people you just always see. I won't allow you to see me unless it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ester-dean/i-m-more-than-a-songwriter-i-m-a-creative-person-some-people-you-just/) [Ester Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ester-dean/) > [I will make up a crush, you hear me?! I will look at a guy and say, for two months at least, 'I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ester-dean/i-will-make-up-a-crush-you-hear-me-i-will-look-at-a-guy-and-say-for/) [Ester Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ester-dean/) > [There are lots of people way more talented than me - but I work more, and I wanted it more. I never waited on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ester-dean/there-are-lots-of-people-way-more-talented-than-me-but-i-work-more/) [Ester Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ester-dean/) > [I'm going to become a real professional actress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ester-dean/i-m-going-to-become-a-real-professional-actress/) [Ester Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ester-dean/) > [I like interior decorating. I really like to build houses. And landscaping, I like that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ester-dean/i-like-interior-decorating-i-really-like-to-build-houses-and/) [Ester Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ester-dean/) > [I tend to sing opera and showtunes in the shower. I don't know why, but when I get in the shower I turn into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ester-dean/i-tend-to-sing-opera-and-showtunes-in-the-shower-i-don-t-know-why-but/) [Ester Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ester-dean/) > [I've done so much songwriting and I know how to do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ester-dean/i-ve-done-so-much-songwriting-and-i-know-how-to-do-it/) [Ester Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ester-dean/) > [My nickname is Esta Bell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ester-dean/my-nickname-is-esta-bell/) [Ester Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ester-dean/) > [I'm the only girl songwriter that fights for a lot of things. I fight for songwriting fees, which record labels want you to shut…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ester-dean/i-m-the-only-girl-songwriter-that-fights-for-a-lot-of-things-i-fight/) [Ester Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ester-dean/) > [I did a lot of songs that I sold, but then they never came out and I never got paid for it. You learn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ester-dean/i-did-a-lot-of-songs-that-i-sold-but-then-they-never-came-out-and-i/) [Ester Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ester-dean/) > [I try to reach for the stars because if you say you want something small and it happens, you don't believe it. So I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ester-dean/i-try-to-reach-for-the-stars-because-if-you-say-you-want-something/) [Ester Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ester-dean/) > [My success, I feel like, is credit - credit for a good job. I haven't even gotten a Grammy, yet I've already decided I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ester-dean/my-success-i-feel-like-is-credit-credit-for-a-good-job-i-haven-t-even/) [Ester Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ester-dean/) > [I always tell people I write songs, but I'm a writer. It's a difference. I can write songs to music, but I can write…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ester-dean/i-always-tell-people-i-write-songs-but-i-m-a-writer-it-s-a-difference/) [Ester Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ester-dean/) > [All you gotta do is live your life..Be true and never be afraid to grow. It dont matter how you got it,Its yours now,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ester-dean/all-you-gotta-do-is-live-your-life-be-true-and-never-be-afraid-to/) [Ester Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ester-dean/) > [I'm young. You can't just sit there and be satisfied.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ester-dean/i-m-young-you-can-t-just-sit-there-and-be-satisfied/) [Ester Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ester-dean/) [Explore all 51 Ester Dean quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ester-dean/) ## More Attention quotes > [It appears to me that one great cause of our difference in opinion on subjects which we often discuss is that you have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ricardo/it-appears-to-me-that-one-great-cause-of-our-difference-in-opinion-on/) [David Ricardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ricardo/) > [People pay far too much attention to the television and they're quite literal in some ways. At the beginning, when I was playing very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ardal-o-hanlon/people-pay-far-too-much-attention-to-the-television-and-they-re-quite/) [Ardal O'Hanlon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ardal-o-hanlon/) > [Television, radio, social media. The 24/7 news cycle plows forward mercilessly on our desks, in our cars and in our pockets. Thousands and thousands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-prince/television-radio-social-media-the-24-7-news-cycle-plows-forward/) [Joseph Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-prince/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/our-inventions-are-wont-to-be-pretty-toys-which-distract-our/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [What people don't normally know about us is the hustle is very real, and it's sorely driven a lot by how we consider ourselves.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lzzy-hale/what-people-don-t-normally-know-about-us-is-the-hustle-is-very-real/) [Lzzy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lzzy-hale/) > [For me, the term "psychotherapy" is limiting. It implies that we work with mind and emotions, but excludes the body and pays scant attention…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jed-diamond/for-me-the-term-psychotherapy-is-limiting-it-implies-that-we-work/) [Jed Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jed-diamond/) > [When you approach something to photograph it, first be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence. Then don't leave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/when-you-approach-something-to-photograph-it-first-be-still-with/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) > [I'm writing about real things. Real people. Real characters. You have to believe what I write about is true or you wouldn't pay any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/i-m-writing-about-real-things-real-people-real-characters-you-have-to/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [ I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with \[my wife\] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahershala-ali/i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with-my-wife-in-december-24-1999/) [Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahershala-ali/) > [The Harvard Business Review recently had an article called 'The Human Moment,' about how to make real contact with a person at work: ...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/the-harvard-business-review-recently-had-an-article-called-the-human/) [Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/) > [Let us thank God heartily as often as we pray that we have His Spirit in us to teach us to pray. Thanksgiving will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-murray/let-us-thank-god-heartily-as-often-as-we-pray-that-we-have-his-spirit/) [Andy Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-murray/) > [Enlightened people live in very charged states of attention, with a tremendous power circuiting through them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/enlightened-people-live-in-very-charged-states-of-attention-with-a/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [We must have a welfare system that we can afford, which will mean giving greater attention to directing the welfare program toward its primary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-portillo/we-must-have-a-welfare-system-that-we-can-afford-which-will-mean/) [Michael Portillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-portillo/) > [The director's job should give you a sense of music without drawing attention to itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/the-director-s-job-should-give-you-a-sense-of-music-without-drawing/) [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) [Browse all 10,153 Attention quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My music teacher was like, \"Ester, you need to pay attention in class.\" I'm like, \"No miss lady, 'cause I can sing.\" I didn't want anybody to change the way I sung. 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