---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's the old-school jazz mentality that I…"
description: "\"It's the old-school jazz mentality that I connect with the most. I dig the idea of the seeker, the guy who's always trying to figure out why he is doin..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef5/flying-lotus-4151_always_it-s-the-old-school-jazz-mentality-that_2355282.jpg"
---

#  It's the old-school jazz mentality that I connect with the…

![“It's the old-school jazz mentality that I connect with the most. I dig the idea of the seeker, the guy who's always trying to figure out why he is doing music and trying to understand and make sense of his instrument in a world which deals with rigid instruction.” quote by Flying Lotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef5/flying-lotus-4151_always_it-s-the-old-school-jazz-mentality-that_2355282.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef5/flying-lotus-4151_always_it-s-the-old-school-jazz-mentality-that_2355282.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef5/flying-lotus-4151_always_it-s-the-old-school-jazz-mentality-that_2355282.jpg)

> “It's the old-school jazz mentality that I connect with the most. I dig the idea of the seeker, the guy who's always trying to figure out why he is doing music and trying to understand and make sense of his instrument in a world which deals with rigid instruction.”

[Flying Lotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flying-lotus/)

## About This Quote

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

Jazz encourages continual questioning and personal connection to music beyond rigid rules.

**In simple terms:** Seek personal meaning in your art.

Key Takeaway

Embrace curiosity and self‑exploration in creativity.

Themes

artistic freedom self-discovery innovation

Mood

inspirational philosophical

Type

advice inspirational

When to use this quote

- musical practice
- composition
- improvisation sessions

Key Concepts

improvisation existential inquiry creative autonomy

Questions to Reflect On

- What does “seeking” mean to you in your craft?
- How can you balance structure with exploration?

A Different Perspective

Rigid instruction can stifle originality.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Jazz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jazz/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Music making](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music-making/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/)

## Related quotes

> [People recommended that I didn't sing at the school as a jazz major. So I sang and produced on my own time, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-lloyd/people-recommended-that-i-didn-t-sing-at-the-school-as-a-jazz-major/)

[Dennis Lloyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-lloyd/)

> [I was a jazz major in high school, in an all-jazz band. No matter what I do, it features my musical influences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wyclef-jean/i-was-a-jazz-major-in-high-school-in-an-all-jazz-band-no-matter-what/)

[Wyclef Jean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wyclef-jean/)

> [I'd actually been making my living as an organist with bands since I was probably 15 or 16 years old, and then as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-mcferrin/i-d-actually-been-making-my-living-as-an-organist-with-bands-since-i/)

[Bobby McFerrin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-mcferrin/)

> [I have a difficult relationship with jazz. My parents really love it, and I went to a school where jazz was considered the best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-obel/i-have-a-difficult-relationship-with-jazz-my-parents-really-love-it/)

[Agnes Obel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-obel/)

> [I wasn't very aware of pop music because I attended an arts school. For me, it was all about jazz.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norah-jones/i-wasn-t-very-aware-of-pop-music-because-i-attended-an-arts-school/)

[Norah Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norah-jones/)

> [I played in school jazz bands and tried to start rock bands, but nobody was interested.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/courtney-barnett/i-played-in-school-jazz-bands-and-tried-to-start-rock-bands-but/)

[Courtney Barnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/courtney-barnett/)

> [In high school I was a jazz nerd, listened to a lot of Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk and stuff like that. Maybe in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-orcutt/in-high-school-i-was-a-jazz-nerd-listened-to-a-lot-of-bud-powell-and/)

[Bill Orcutt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-orcutt/)

> [There were so many specific things from high school jazz band that I remembered: the conductor searching out people who were out of tune,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damien-chazelle/there-were-so-many-specific-things-from-high-school-jazz-band-that-i/)

[Damien Chazelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damien-chazelle/)

> [There are great jazz educators that I meet all the time. I met a guy named Paul Luchessi who has a high school jazz…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gordon/there-are-great-jazz-educators-that-i-meet-all-the-time-i-met-a-guy/)

[Jon Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gordon/)

> [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/)

> [In Montreal, there is a friend of mine at school who is a jazz pianist with an amazing voice, and we sort of have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-epstein/in-montreal-there-is-a-friend-of-mine-at-school-who-is-a-jazz-pianist/)

[Jake Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-epstein/)

> [I was in every band class I could get in, like after school jazz band and marching band, and that's where I really learned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-smith/i-was-in-every-band-class-i-could-get-in-like-after-school-jazz-band/)

[Chad Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-smith/)

> [I just want to make that my life: recording music and trying to write a good song every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-granduciel/i-just-want-to-make-that-my-life-recording-music-and-trying-to-write/)

[Adam Granduciel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-granduciel/)

> [I've always gone back and forth between acting and music, but for music I'm not trying to be a pop star - I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-greenberg/i-ve-always-gone-back-and-forth-between-acting-and-music-but-for/)

[Bryan Greenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-greenberg/)

> [I think the music that speaks to me the most is music that is personal. And that's the music that I'm trying to make.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rostam-batmanglij/i-think-the-music-that-speaks-to-me-the-most-is-music-that-is/)

[Rostam Batmanglij](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rostam-batmanglij/)

## More by Flying Lotus

> [I decided to play the saxophone because it was the most obvious instrument in my family. There were a lot of saxophone players in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flying-lotus/i-decided-to-play-the-saxophone-because-it-was-the-most-obvious/)

[Flying Lotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flying-lotus/)

> [If I have to be 'the experimental guy' or whatever, then I'll roll with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flying-lotus/if-i-have-to-be-the-experimental-guy-or-whatever-then-i-ll-roll-with/)

[Flying Lotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flying-lotus/)

> [It's tough when you're an artist because you get to go around the world and make a lot of friends, but guess what? One…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flying-lotus/it-s-tough-when-you-re-an-artist-because-you-get-to-go-around-the/)

[Flying Lotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flying-lotus/)

> [The Soft Machine's 'Volume Two' inspired me heavily. That record just feels like it was all done in the same breath. It's genius, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flying-lotus/the-soft-machine-s-volume-two-inspired-me-heavily-that-record-just/)

[Flying Lotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flying-lotus/)

> [I don't sit around listening to beats all day. There's so many producers, and so much of it is derivative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flying-lotus/i-don-t-sit-around-listening-to-beats-all-day-there-s-so-many/)

[Flying Lotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flying-lotus/)

> [If I work with Bjork, then I'll be a happy soul, man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flying-lotus/if-i-work-with-bjork-then-i-ll-be-a-happy-soul-man/)

[Flying Lotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flying-lotus/)

> [Kendrick is a true genius artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flying-lotus/kendrick-is-a-true-genius-artist/)

[Flying Lotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flying-lotus/)

> [The producer role attracts introverts. Making music on your computer is so appealing to someone who just sits in their room all day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flying-lotus/the-producer-role-attracts-introverts-making-music-on-your-computer/)

[Flying Lotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flying-lotus/)

> [Thundercat put me on to George Duke.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flying-lotus/thundercat-put-me-on-to-george-duke/)

[Flying Lotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flying-lotus/)

> [With every album that I do, I try to feature a new instrument or sound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flying-lotus/with-every-album-that-i-do-i-try-to-feature-a-new-instrument-or-sound/)

[Flying Lotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flying-lotus/)

> [I feel some responsibility to shine light on things that I love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flying-lotus/i-feel-some-responsibility-to-shine-light-on-things-that-i-love/)

[Flying Lotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flying-lotus/)

> [I definitely learned to communicate with other musicians better. I used to feel so intimidated by guys who can read notes, like, "Oh my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flying-lotus/i-definitely-learned-to-communicate-with-other-musicians-better-i/)

[Flying Lotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flying-lotus/)

> [In high school, I was that guy who was trying to be cool with everybody, but I never really had a core group of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flying-lotus/in-high-school-i-was-that-guy-who-was-trying-to-be-cool-with/)

[Flying Lotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flying-lotus/)

> [When I can make music and don't have to think about anyone else's ideas or voice - when I'm making something that only I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flying-lotus/when-i-can-make-music-and-don-t-have-to-think-about-anyone-else-s/)

[Flying Lotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flying-lotus/)

> [Here's the thing: if I want to do something, I just have to do it - for real! I'm not gonna pussy out in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flying-lotus/here-s-the-thing-if-i-want-to-do-something-i-just-have-to-do-it-for/)

[Flying Lotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flying-lotus/)

[Explore all 115 Flying Lotus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flying-lotus/)

## 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": "It's the old-school jazz mentality that I connect with the most. I dig the idea of the seeker, the guy who's always trying to figure out why he is doing music and trying to understand and make sense of his instrument in a world which deals with rigid instruction.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Flying Lotus"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flying-lotus/it-s-the-old-school-jazz-mentality-that-i-connect-with-the-most-i-dig/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Always"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flying-lotus/it-s-the-old-school-jazz-mentality-that-i-connect-with-the-most-i-dig/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef5/flying-lotus-4151_always_it-s-the-old-school-jazz-mentality-that_2355282.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef5/flying-lotus-4151_always_it-s-the-old-school-jazz-mentality-that_2355282.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef5/flying-lotus-4151_always_it-s-the-old-school-jazz-mentality-that_2355282.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“It's the old-school jazz mentality that I connect with the most. I dig the idea of the seeker, the guy who's…” — Flying Lotus",
                "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": "Flying Lotus",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flying-lotus/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "It's the old-school jazz mentality that...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flying-lotus/it-s-the-old-school-jazz-mentality-that-i-connect-with-the-most-i-dig/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flying-lotus/it-s-the-old-school-jazz-mentality-that-i-connect-with-the-most-i-dig/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
