--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When an ensemble is really tight or…" description: "\"When an ensemble is really tight or playing as one, it's a transcendental experience. It is spiritual. It goes beyond the ensemble. Ray and I and Robby..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/444/john-densmore-3925_ensemble_when-an-ensemble-is-really-tight-or-play_1359627.jpg" --- # When an ensemble is really tight or playing as one, it's a… ![“When an ensemble is really tight or playing as one, it's a transcendental experience. It is spiritual. It goes beyond the ensemble. Ray and I and Robby and Jim were pretty tight, musically and spiritually.” quote by John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/444/john-densmore-3925_ensemble_when-an-ensemble-is-really-tight-or-play_1359627.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/444/john-densmore-3925_ensemble_when-an-ensemble-is-really-tight-or-play_1359627.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/444/john-densmore-3925_ensemble_when-an-ensemble-is-really-tight-or-play_1359627.jpg) > “When an ensemble is really tight or playing as one, it's a transcendental experience. It is spiritual. It goes beyond the ensemble. Ray and I and Robby and Jim were pretty tight, musically and spiritually.” [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When musicians synchronize perfectly, the music feels transcendent and spiritual, surpassing individual performance. **In simple terms:** Perfect musical unity feels spiritual. Key Takeaway Seek deep connection with collaborators. Themes music collaboration spirituality Mood elevated reflective Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - live performance - rehearsal - band practice - creative workshops Key Concepts ensemble synergy transcendence Questions to Reflect On - How can you foster deeper musical empathy? - What practices enhance group cohesion? A Different Perspective Achieving such unity can be rare and requires mutual trust. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Spiritual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual/) [Transcendental](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/transcendental/) ## Related quotes > ['Friends' was a true ensemble. There really was no star of the show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-leblanc/friends-was-a-true-ensemble-there-really-was-no-star-of-the-show/) [Matt LeBlanc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-leblanc/) > [I hadn't done just a straight-out comedy in a long time, just letting an ensemble do really good character acting, having them carry the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-de-palma/i-hadn-t-done-just-a-straight-out-comedy-in-a-long-time-just-letting/) [Brian De Palma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-de-palma/) > [If an ensemble - I don't care if it's a duet or a forty-piece orchestra - the musicians, the two of them or the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/if-an-ensemble-i-don-t-care-if-it-s-a-duet-or-a-forty-piece-orchestra/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [If you're playing live, I like to think of the ensemble, whether it's the duet or a forty piece orchestra, as one person. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/if-you-re-playing-live-i-like-to-think-of-the-ensemble-whether-it-s/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [The more the ensemble, the duet or the forty piece orchestra, plays as one person, the more it makes people dance, because you're back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/the-more-the-ensemble-the-duet-or-the-forty-piece-orchestra-plays-as/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [Atlanta was a welcoming presence for a lot of artists; they called it 'the Mecca of the South.' I got to see the Negro…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/latanya-richardson/atlanta-was-a-welcoming-presence-for-a-lot-of-artists-they-called-it/) [LaTanya Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/latanya-richardson/) > [Joe and I have always been drawn to ensemble storytelling. We like the idea of telling stories from multiple characters' points of view and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-russo/joe-and-i-have-always-been-drawn-to-ensemble-storytelling-we-like-the/) [Anthony Russo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-russo/) > [If you are in an improv jazz ensemble or a small chamber group, you learn to think fast on your feet and how to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-richard-hackman/if-you-are-in-an-improv-jazz-ensemble-or-a-small-chamber-group-you/) J. Richard Hackman > [All conventional wisdom has an element of truth to it, but good design requires more than an element of truth - it requires an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-petroski/all-conventional-wisdom-has-an-element-of-truth-to-it-but-good-design/) [Henry Petroski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-petroski/) > [My mother did like to make clothes, and in I think the worst picture I've ever seen of myself - I must have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-evans/my-mother-did-like-to-make-clothes-and-in-i-think-the-worst-picture-i/) [Luke Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-evans/) > [It's really nice to pass the ball when you're in an ensemble cast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-rohm/it-s-really-nice-to-pass-the-ball-when-you-re-in-an-ensemble-cast/) [Elisabeth Rohm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-rohm/) > [In spite of my great admiration for individual splendid talents I do not accept the star system. Collective creative effort is the root of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/constantin-stanislavski/in-spite-of-my-great-admiration-for-individual-splendid-talents-i-do/) [Constantin Stanislavski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/constantin-stanislavski/) > [Maybe it's just my improv and sketch background, but I'm a lot more comfortable in a group. I like sharing focus and populating an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-mantzoukas/maybe-it-s-just-my-improv-and-sketch-background-but-i-m-a-lot-more/) [Jason Mantzoukas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-mantzoukas/) > [ We're really fleshing out the whole world of the show \[Difficult People\]. It's more of an ensemble now, whereas last season we were very… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-eichner/we-re-really-fleshing-out-the-whole-world-of-the-show-difficult/) [Billy Eichner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-eichner/) > [Adam Berenson knows how to compose, organize an ensemble, do musical research, play solo and trio piano, write for musical journals, and enlist others…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-bley/adam-berenson-knows-how-to-compose-organize-an-ensemble-do-musical/) [Paul Bley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-bley/) ## More by John Densmore > [At the risk of sounding grandiose, I will say that, to me, rock 'n' roll is sacred.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/at-the-risk-of-sounding-grandiose-i-will-say-that-to-me-rock-n-roll/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [We were not folk-rock. We would scare people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/we-were-not-folk-rock-we-would-scare-people/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [I've been very blessed to make a living in stuff I love and am totally passionate about, music and writing. So I'm eager to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/i-ve-been-very-blessed-to-make-a-living-in-stuff-i-love-and-am/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [The fossil fuel industry has made advocating alternative energy sources a liberal/conservative thing, and an ideological battle, when it should really be about a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/the-fossil-fuel-industry-has-made-advocating-alternative-energy/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [When I was in my 20s I went through my testosterone phase and had a Mercedes to show that I'm rich, and they used…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/when-i-was-in-my-20s-i-went-through-my-testosterone-phase-and-had-a/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [First of all, Turtle Island is the name of this continent we live on... that's right, not 'America... as in North America,' but the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/first-of-all-turtle-island-is-the-name-of-this-continent-we-live-on/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [As long as there's young people, they can look to Jim to help them cut the umbilical chord.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/as-long-as-there-s-young-people-they-can-look-to-jim-to-help-them-cut/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [In my old age, I've learned that if I put the right cymbal crash in the very right spot, exactly, it can be as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/in-my-old-age-i-ve-learned-that-if-i-put-the-right-cymbal-crash-in/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [The Stones without Mick. The Police without Sting. The Doors without Jim. It doesn't work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/the-stones-without-mick-the-police-without-sting-the-doors-without/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [Fortunately, an extremely sexy, pixie-voiced blond named Ronnie Harran, who booked the Whisky, saw us...She had an ear for talent...the Whisky was finally a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/fortunately-an-extremely-sexy-pixie-voiced-blond-named-ronnie-harran/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [Money is like fertiliser. When spread around, things grow; when it's hoarded, it stinks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/money-is-like-fertiliser-when-spread-around-things-grow-when-it-s/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [In the '50s, West L.A. was like Kansas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/in-the-50s-west-l-a-was-like-kansas/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [I'm not the fastest drummer in the world, but I'm very into dynamics and knowing that there's space in between the notes and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/i-m-not-the-fastest-drummer-in-the-world-but-i-m-very-into-dynamics/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [The first drum beat we all heard was our mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/the-first-drum-beat-we-all-heard-was-our-mother/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [Jim was Dionysus, but it took three Apollos to balance that Dionysian energy. He was a force.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/jim-was-dionysus-but-it-took-three-apollos-to-balance-that-dionysian/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) [Explore all 119 John Densmore quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) ## More Ensemble quotes > [Adam Berenson knows how to compose, organize an ensemble, do musical research, play solo and trio piano, write for musical journals, and enlist others…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-bley/adam-berenson-knows-how-to-compose-organize-an-ensemble-do-musical/) [Paul Bley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-bley/) > [ We're really fleshing out the whole world of the show \[Difficult People\]. It's more of an ensemble now, whereas last season we were very… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-eichner/we-re-really-fleshing-out-the-whole-world-of-the-show-difficult/) [Billy Eichner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-eichner/) > [Maybe it's just my improv and sketch background, but I'm a lot more comfortable in a group. I like sharing focus and populating an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-mantzoukas/maybe-it-s-just-my-improv-and-sketch-background-but-i-m-a-lot-more/) [Jason Mantzoukas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-mantzoukas/) > [In spite of my great admiration for individual splendid talents I do not accept the star system. Collective creative effort is the root of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/constantin-stanislavski/in-spite-of-my-great-admiration-for-individual-splendid-talents-i-do/) [Constantin Stanislavski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/constantin-stanislavski/) > [It's really nice to pass the ball when you're in an ensemble cast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-rohm/it-s-really-nice-to-pass-the-ball-when-you-re-in-an-ensemble-cast/) [Elisabeth Rohm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-rohm/) > [My mother did like to make clothes, and in I think the worst picture I've ever seen of myself - I must have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-evans/my-mother-did-like-to-make-clothes-and-in-i-think-the-worst-picture-i/) [Luke Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-evans/) > [All conventional wisdom has an element of truth to it, but good design requires more than an element of truth - it requires an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-petroski/all-conventional-wisdom-has-an-element-of-truth-to-it-but-good-design/) [Henry Petroski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-petroski/) > [If you are in an improv jazz ensemble or a small chamber group, you learn to think fast on your feet and how to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-richard-hackman/if-you-are-in-an-improv-jazz-ensemble-or-a-small-chamber-group-you/) J. Richard Hackman > [Joe and I have always been drawn to ensemble storytelling. We like the idea of telling stories from multiple characters' points of view and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-russo/joe-and-i-have-always-been-drawn-to-ensemble-storytelling-we-like-the/) [Anthony Russo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-russo/) > [Atlanta was a welcoming presence for a lot of artists; they called it 'the Mecca of the South.' I got to see the Negro…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/latanya-richardson/atlanta-was-a-welcoming-presence-for-a-lot-of-artists-they-called-it/) [LaTanya Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/latanya-richardson/) > [It's so cool to be in an ensemble because you're in something that's bigger than yourself, and it's even crazier to be in an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-sherman/it-s-so-cool-to-be-in-an-ensemble-because-you-re-in-something-that-s/) [Sarah Sherman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-sherman/) > [Hamlet' is a real ensemble piece: you have to realise that he's just one part of the story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/hamlet-is-a-real-ensemble-piece-you-have-to-realise-that-he-s-just/) [Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) > [Writing for chamber ensemble is the thing that excites me the most. So when I went down into the cistern, I didn't know that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jherek-bischoff/writing-for-chamber-ensemble-is-the-thing-that-excites-me-the-most-so/) [Jherek Bischoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jherek-bischoff/) > ['Tango' is very much an ensemble piece and I was devastated when I read the script.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-lancashire/tango-is-very-much-an-ensemble-piece-and-i-was-devastated-when-i-read/) [Sarah Lancashire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-lancashire/) > [I've always been very interested in ensemble work. One reason why I don't go out and do a stand-up act is that I did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-reubens/i-ve-always-been-very-interested-in-ensemble-work-one-reason-why-i/) [Paul Reubens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-reubens/) Browse all 255 Ensemble quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When an ensemble is really tight or playing as one, it's a transcendental experience. It is spiritual. It goes beyond the ensemble. 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