--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I suppose when I started playing guitar…" description: "\"I suppose when I started playing guitar, it was the means to an end. I never thought of myself as a fully fledged guitar instrumentalist. And my early ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3f/ian-anderson-10053_arena_i-suppose-when-i-started-playing-guitar_2603196.png" --- # I suppose when I started playing guitar, it was the means… ![“I suppose when I started playing guitar, it was the means to an end. I never thought of myself as a fully fledged guitar instrumentalist. And my early excursions on the electric guitar were curtailed when Eric Clapton came on the scene, and I decided I was never going to be in the same arena as a…” quote by Ian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3f/ian-anderson-10053_arena_i-suppose-when-i-started-playing-guitar_2603196.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3f/ian-anderson-10053_arena_i-suppose-when-i-started-playing-guitar_2603196.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3f/ian-anderson-10053_arena_i-suppose-when-i-started-playing-guitar_2603196.png) > “I suppose when I started playing guitar, it was the means to an end. I never thought of myself as a fully fledged guitar instrumentalist. And my early excursions on the electric guitar were curtailed when Eric Clapton came on the scene, and I decided I was never going to be in the same arena as a Clapton or a Peter Green.” [Ian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-anderson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Recounts early guitar ambitions being eclipsed by legendary players, leading to self‑doubt. **In simple terms:** Early goals were dwarfed by famous guitarists. Key Takeaway Acknowledge influences but forge your own path. Themes music influence self‑esteem Mood introspective motivational Type personal advice When to use this quote - music practice - concerts - artist mentorship Key Concepts guitar mastery career development Questions to Reflect On - How do you define personal success? - What steps help you overcome doubt? A Different Perspective Comparisons can limit confidence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Electric guitar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/electric-guitar/) [Guitar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guitar/) [Instrumentalists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instrumentalists/) [Playing guitar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playing-guitar/) ## Related quotes > [I can never make up my mind if I'm happy being a flute player, or if I wish I were Eric Clapton.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-anderson/i-can-never-make-up-my-mind-if-i-m-happy-being-a-flute-player-or-if-i/) [Ian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-anderson/) > [I fell in love with electronics, which for me was the terra incognita, because I had never heard such sounds. If you'd asked me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonny-greenwood/i-fell-in-love-with-electronics-which-for-me-was-the-terra-incognita/) [Jonny Greenwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonny-greenwood/) > [In high school, we had a really great jazz program that I finally was able to be a part of. They only wanted instrumentalists;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dianne-reeves/in-high-school-we-had-a-really-great-jazz-program-that-i-finally-was/) [Dianne Reeves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dianne-reeves/) > [There are certainly talented instrumentalists coming from India. I see them performing all over the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zubin-mehta/there-are-certainly-talented-instrumentalists-coming-from-india-i-see/) [Zubin Mehta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zubin-mehta/) > [Branching out to other genres - I think it's why people put me apart from other guitar instrumentalists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-5/branching-out-to-other-genres-i-think-it-s-why-people-put-me-apart/) [John 5](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-5/) > [It's easier to collaborate with instrumentalists than singers; they know exactly the sound that I need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaytranada/it-s-easier-to-collaborate-with-instrumentalists-than-singers-they/) [Kaytranada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaytranada/) > [Whether you’re checked in or checked out, you’re always on a spiritual journey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alanis-morissette/whether-you-re-checked-in-or-checked-out-you-re-always-on-a-spiritual/) [Alanis Morissette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alanis-morissette/) > [When I arrived in America at the end of 1967, my only purpose was to observe (for a couple of months) my idols, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flora-purim/when-i-arrived-in-america-at-the-end-of-1967-my-only-purpose-was-to/) Flora Purim > [I remember performing with the Choir as an instrumentalist when I was still in school and it was wonderful to share the stage with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-jenkins/i-remember-performing-with-the-choir-as-an-instrumentalist-when-i-was/) [Katherine Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-jenkins/) > [Maybe I'm being a bit harsh on philosophers, but they have not been very kind to me... I have been variously called nominalist, an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hawking/maybe-i-m-being-a-bit-harsh-on-philosophers-but-they-have-not-been/) [Stephen Hawking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hawking/) > [As I’ve said, I’ve never believed in God, which technically makes me an atheist (since the prefix “a” means “not” or “without”). But I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/as-i-ve-said-i-ve-never-believed-in-god-which-technically-makes-me-an/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [You can't just will your dreams to come true. You have to work hard. You have to give 'em wings, arms, legs...whatever it takes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/you-can-t-just-will-your-dreams-to-come-true-you-have-to-work-hard/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [There's not many crazy guitar instrumentalists out there that put on a crazy monster show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-5/there-s-not-many-crazy-guitar-instrumentalists-out-there-that-put-on/) [John 5](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-5/) > [I don't consider myself a skilled enough instrumentalist to be able to create the atmosphere that I want with just my guitar by myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thalia-zedek/i-don-t-consider-myself-a-skilled-enough-instrumentalist-to-be-able/) [Thalia Zedek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thalia-zedek/) > [It's a great thing about being a musician; you don't stop until the day you die, you can improve. So it's a wonderful thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-miller/it-s-a-great-thing-about-being-a-musician-you-don-t-stop-until-the/) [Marcus Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-miller/) ## More by Ian Anderson > [Writing lyrics is part spontaneous, intuitive and part really thought through and carefully analyzed as you write it. It's a mixture of two approaches,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-anderson/writing-lyrics-is-part-spontaneous-intuitive-and-part-really-thought/) [Ian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-anderson/) > [Cafe society is as old as the hills. Starbucks and its imitators are the coffee face of the new man in a hurry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-anderson/cafe-society-is-as-old-as-the-hills-starbucks-and-its-imitators-are/) [Ian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-anderson/) > [It's nice to be recognized, but it's not great to have it too conspicuously recognized, if you see what I mean. Gold records on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-anderson/it-s-nice-to-be-recognized-but-it-s-not-great-to-have-it-too/) [Ian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-anderson/) > [The original Jethro Tull was a 19th century English agriculturist who invented a seed drill you see. The first automatic process where by small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-anderson/the-original-jethro-tull-was-a-19th-century-english-agriculturist-who/) [Ian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-anderson/) > [I'm very much an observer and a conduit of thoughts and ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-anderson/i-m-very-much-an-observer-and-a-conduit-of-thoughts-and-ideas/) [Ian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-anderson/) > [A lot of pop music is about stealing pocket money from children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-anderson/a-lot-of-pop-music-is-about-stealing-pocket-money-from-children/) [Ian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-anderson/) > [Question all as to their ways and learn the secrets that they hold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-anderson/question-all-as-to-their-ways-and-learn-the-secrets-that-they-hold/) [Ian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-anderson/) > [When I was in my teenage years, I went to sign up as a cadet entrant to the police force but was at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-anderson/when-i-was-in-my-teenage-years-i-went-to-sign-up-as-a-cadet-entrant/) [Ian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-anderson/) > [As a songwriter, you tend to develop your own style, your own technique, based around what it is you're trying to write and perform,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-anderson/as-a-songwriter-you-tend-to-develop-your-own-style-your-own-technique/) [Ian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-anderson/) > ['Aqualung' marks the point at which I had the confidence as a songwriter and as a guitar player to actually pick up and play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-anderson/aqualung-marks-the-point-at-which-i-had-the-confidence-as-a/) [Ian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-anderson/) > [Martin, Dave, and I get together and rough out a few songs and put them on cassettes for some reference...With the actual music, I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-anderson/martin-dave-and-i-get-together-and-rough-out-a-few-songs-and-put-them/) [Ian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-anderson/) > [Not to be mean about it, but some great rock and rollers, like Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry, are pretty one-dimensional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-anderson/not-to-be-mean-about-it-but-some-great-rock-and-rollers-like-bo/) [Ian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-anderson/) > [I think the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, first of all, has got to be put into the context of being an American…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-anderson/i-think-the-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-first-of-all-has-got-to-be-put/) [Ian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-anderson/) > [If you're gonna use simile, analogy, metaphor, be descriptive and have some flowery adjectives and a few odd nouns and some engaging bits of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-anderson/if-you-re-gonna-use-simile-analogy-metaphor-be-descriptive-and-have/) [Ian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-anderson/) > [Bring me a wheel of oaken wood A rein of polished leather A Heavy Horse and a tumbling sky Brewing heavy weather.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-anderson/bring-me-a-wheel-of-oaken-wood-a-rein-of-polished-leather-a-heavy/) [Ian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-anderson/) [Explore all 68 Ian Anderson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-anderson/) ## More Arena quotes > [The sidelines are not where you want to live your life. The world needs you in the arena!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/the-sidelines-are-not-where-you-want-to-live-your-life-the-world/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [To see classic rock, you had to go to an arena. But punk was happening everywhere, even in little towns in the middle of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-callahan/to-see-classic-rock-you-had-to-go-to-an-arena-but-punk-was-happening/) [Bill Callahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-callahan/) > [The "family" has clearly emerged anew in the late 1970s as a central subject for discussion, debate, research and writing in bothscholarly and popular…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-kamerman/the-family-has-clearly-emerged-anew-in-the-late-1970s-as-a-central/) Sheila Kamerman > [Cannes is a sort of gladiators' arena, and that's the fun part of it. When you accept to come here to open the festival,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivier-dahan/cannes-is-a-sort-of-gladiators-arena-and-that-s-the-fun-part-of-it/) [Olivier Dahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivier-dahan/) > [ We're striving to stay in the arenas. We \[Papa Roach\] had just little things that just took our show a step up and were… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-palermo/we-re-striving-to-stay-in-the-arenas-we-papa-roach-had-just-little/) [Tony Palermo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-palermo/) > [The most difficult idea to reconcile in war is the notion that anything is going to be solved by killing a stranger, or in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-dean-myers/the-most-difficult-idea-to-reconcile-in-war-is-the-notion-that/) [Walter Dean Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-dean-myers/) > [I've never liked talking about my personal life, ever. Ever since I was 20, I've lived in a kind of public arena; and there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-dalton/i-ve-never-liked-talking-about-my-personal-life-ever-ever-since-i-was/) [Timothy Dalton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-dalton/) > [Every NBA arena has six cameras in the ceiling. The question is what does the software do with video feeds? How to surface that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-ballmer/every-nba-arena-has-six-cameras-in-the-ceiling-the-question-is-what/) [Steve Ballmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-ballmer/) > [Most of my films I call arena films. I deal with a confined area -- an arena -- and I try to cover every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-altman/most-of-my-films-i-call-arena-films-i-deal-with-a-confined-area-an/) [Robert Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-altman/) > [If you're also in the arena and you're putting your ideas out and you're owning them and you're saying "I disagree with you about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/if-you-re-also-in-the-arena-and-you-re-putting-your-ideas-out-and-you/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [The galleries are full of critics. They play no ball, they fight no fights. They make no mistakes because they attempt nothing. Down in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-m-shoup/the-galleries-are-full-of-critics-they-play-no-ball-they-fight-no/) [David M. Shoup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-m-shoup/) > [The rules of survival never change, whether you're in a desert or in an arena.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-grylls/the-rules-of-survival-never-change-whether-you-re-in-a-desert-or-in/) [Bear Grylls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-grylls/) > [We live in a very pluralistic society today. There are Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, atheists, Roman Catholics, Evangelical Christians, and Christians like me. There are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-shelby-spong/we-live-in-a-very-pluralistic-society-today-there-are-buddhists/) [John Shelby Spong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-shelby-spong/) > [I just like playing music and doing it with people that I care about. It doesn't really matter where. It's like, 'Why don't we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-klinghoffer/i-just-like-playing-music-and-doing-it-with-people-that-i-care-about/) [Josh Klinghoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-klinghoffer/) > [Successful weight management really means a permanent change in lifestyle - and success in this arena provides that person with a great opportunity to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-collins/successful-weight-management-really-means-a-permanent-change-in/) [Francis Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-collins/) Browse all 674 Arena quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I suppose when I started playing guitar, it was the means to an end. I never thought of myself as a fully fledged guitar instrumentalist. 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