--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My ambition is to learn to play the…" description: "\"My ambition is to learn to play the trombone. My wife pulls my leg about it. I'll find time, my neighbours might not appreciate it but I'm going to try..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/979/john-mcdonnell-5730_ambition_my-ambition-is-to-learn-to-play-the-trom_2009299.jpg" --- # My ambition is to learn to play the trombone. My wife… ![“My ambition is to learn to play the trombone. My wife pulls my leg about it. I'll find time, my neighbours might not appreciate it but I'm going to try.” quote by John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/979/john-mcdonnell-5730_ambition_my-ambition-is-to-learn-to-play-the-trom_2009299.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/979/john-mcdonnell-5730_ambition_my-ambition-is-to-learn-to-play-the-trom_2009299.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/979/john-mcdonnell-5730_ambition_my-ambition-is-to-learn-to-play-the-trom_2009299.jpg) > “My ambition is to learn to play the trombone. My wife pulls my leg about it. I'll find time, my neighbours might not appreciate it but I'm going to try.” [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Pursuing a new skill despite obstacles shows commitment and personal fulfillment. **In simple terms:** Commit to learning despite challenges. Key Takeaway Start practicing, even if imperfect. Themes determination learning music personal growth Mood motivational practical Type inspirational advice When to use this quote - learning an instrument - balancing family - time management - overcoming self‑doubt Key Concepts Skill acquisition motivation self-discipline Questions to Reflect On - What small step can you take today? - How will you handle setbacks? A Different Perspective Progress may be slow and noisy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ambition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Wife](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wife/) ## Related quotes > [Whenever we can, we try to talk to students. If I can, I'll invite kids from a school to a sound check and take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trombone-shorty/whenever-we-can-we-try-to-talk-to-students-if-i-can-i-ll-invite-kids/) [Trombone Shorty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trombone-shorty/) > [I used to play drums when I was a kid, play the trombone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolph-lundgren/i-used-to-play-drums-when-i-was-a-kid-play-the-trombone/) [Dolph Lundgren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolph-lundgren/) > [I used to play the trombone and the trumpet, which I still have, but I haven't picked up for a long time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-heughan/i-used-to-play-the-trombone-and-the-trumpet-which-i-still-have-but-i/) [Sam Heughan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-heughan/) > [When I started out, all I did was play my trombone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-conniff/when-i-started-out-all-i-did-was-play-my-trombone/) [Ray Conniff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-conniff/) > [The trombones crunched redgold under my bed, and behind my gulliver the trumpets three-wise silverflamed, and there by the door the timps rolling through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-burgess/the-trombones-crunched-redgold-under-my-bed-and-behind-my-gulliver/) [Anthony Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-burgess/) > [You blow in this end of the trombone and sound comes out the other end and disrupts the cosmos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roswell-rudd/you-blow-in-this-end-of-the-trombone-and-sound-comes-out-the-other/) Roswell Rudd > [I never felt like that in my life. I didn't know human beings played these instruments. I heard them in Chicago and Louisville and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quincy-jones/i-never-felt-like-that-in-my-life-i-didn-t-know-human-beings-played/) [Quincy Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quincy-jones/) > [“Todays the day gonna grab my trombone and blow" Thunder on the Mountain”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/todays-the-day-gonna-grab-my-trombone-and-blow-thunder-on-the-mountain/) [Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/) > [I never really listened to any particular trombone players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trombone-shorty/i-never-really-listened-to-any-particular-trombone-players/) [Trombone Shorty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trombone-shorty/) > [“The trombone and side-drums in the chamber music of Stravinsky will do well enough in a very smart house-party where all the conversation is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-francis-tovey/the-trombone-and-side-drums-in-the-chamber-music-of-stravinsky-will/) Donald Francis Tovey > [Never look at the trombones, you'll just encourage them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-strauss/never-look-at-the-trombones-you-ll-just-encourage-them/) [Richard Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-strauss/) > [“Those people obviously don't know who I think I am.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-wesley-jr/those-people-obviously-don-t-know-who-i-think-i-am/) Fred Wesley Jr > [I am a trombone player, and that was my first instrument.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-johannsson/i-am-a-trombone-player-and-that-was-my-first-instrument/) [Johann Johannsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-johannsson/) > [Virtue is something you have to get good at, like playing the trombone or tolerating bores at parties. Being a virtuous human being takes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-eagleton/virtue-is-something-you-have-to-get-good-at-like-playing-the-trombone/) [Terry Eagleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-eagleton/) > [Trombone virtuoso and innovative composer, Papo combines the best of jazz and Latin music to create a genre that is unique and wild. He's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-brecker/trombone-virtuoso-and-innovative-composer-papo-combines-the-best-of/) Michael Brecker ## More by John McDonnell > [Going to university is, and should be, so much more than a mechanical process of grinding out a degree qualification for a pre-determined career…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/going-to-university-is-and-should-be-so-much-more-than-a-mechanical/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [The arrogant view that young people don't count because they don't vote has thankfully been smashed for ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/the-arrogant-view-that-young-people-don-t-count-because-they-don-t/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [Well organised displays of spontaneous support is one of the New Labour machine's specialities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/well-organised-displays-of-spontaneous-support-is-one-of-the-new/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [Labour will only survive in government if we can restore the sense of mission upon which it was founded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/labour-will-only-survive-in-government-if-we-can-restore-the-sense-of/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [The spread of information technology and the long-term decline in the cost of computing power have created opportunities that simply did not exist before.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/the-spread-of-information-technology-and-the-long-term-decline-in-the/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [When I left school I went onto the shop floor, working 12-hour shifts in a TV factory. My workmates were sharp, skilled and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/when-i-left-school-i-went-onto-the-shop-floor-working-12-hour-shifts/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [The New Labour political elite has long conspired to secure a so-called 'smooth transition' for Blair's successor. This would amount to little more than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/the-new-labour-political-elite-has-long-conspired-to-secure-a-so/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [If the government is injecting public money, it should also take the right to oversee board appointments, executive pay, and future business operations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/if-the-government-is-injecting-public-money-it-should-also-take-the/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [Only the political process offers the real prospect of a united Ireland at peace with itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/only-the-political-process-offers-the-real-prospect-of-a-united/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [Producing more reams of detailed policies that have marginal and limited effects on our society is futile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/producing-more-reams-of-detailed-policies-that-have-marginal-and/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [There are some lines in the sand you just do not cross. Undermining basic civil liberties by locking people up for long periods without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/there-are-some-lines-in-the-sand-you-just-do-not-cross-undermining/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [Political rivalry is one thing but personal smear campaigns scrape the barrel of political infighting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/political-rivalry-is-one-thing-but-personal-smear-campaigns-scrape/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [No cause is worth the loss of a child's life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/no-cause-is-worth-the-loss-of-a-child-s-life/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [The illegal 2003 invasion had little to do with liberating Iraqis from Saddam Hussein's dictatorship. Instead, the real freedoms and benefits were destined to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/the-illegal-2003-invasion-had-little-to-do-with-liberating-iraqis/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [We want to be absolutely clear to the people what we are about. No backroom deals whatsoever and we're not going to be held…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/we-want-to-be-absolutely-clear-to-the-people-what-we-are-about-no/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) [Explore all 100 John McDonnell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) ## More Ambition quotes > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [One needs more than ambition and talent to make a success of anything, really. There must be love and a vocation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessye-norman/one-needs-more-than-ambition-and-talent-to-make-a-success-of-anything/) [Jessye Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessye-norman/) > [I just think my own ambition would not allow me to sit on the gifts that my creator had given me. And so that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/i-just-think-my-own-ambition-would-not-allow-me-to-sit-on-the-gifts/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [A man's worth is no greater than the worth of his ambitions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-man-s-worth-is-no-greater-than-the-worth-of-his-ambitions/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm hungry and ambitious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julen-lopetegui/i-m-hungry-and-ambitious/) [Julen Lopetegui](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julen-lopetegui/) > [“I was ambitious and desperate to direct my first film, so I capitulated and blew it. Never again. Never fucking again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/i-was-ambitious-and-desperate-to-direct-my-first-film-so-i/) [Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/) > [I was always attracted most to joining City, and I am pleased to be at such a good club with such a big ambition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edin-dzeko/i-was-always-attracted-most-to-joining-city-and-i-am-pleased-to-be-at/) [Edin Dzeko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edin-dzeko/) > [Work towards your goal and dont watch the post size,its either they hate,or like you.there is no room for both sides.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-buabeng/work-towards-your-goal-and-dont-watch-the-post-size-its-either-they/) [Isaac Buabeng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-buabeng/) > [“But young men have not only this frivolous ambition of being thought masters of execution, inciting them on the one hand, but also their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-young-men-have-not-only-this-frivolous-ambition-of-being-thought/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I almost never have a plan for myself... I'm not ambitious in that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-plimpton/i-almost-never-have-a-plan-for-myself-i-m-not-ambitious-in-that-way/) [Martha Plimpton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-plimpton/) > [I play for high stakes and given an audience - there is no act too daring or too noble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/i-play-for-high-stakes-and-given-an-audience-there-is-no-act-too/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [There's nothing worse than a leader who lacks ambition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-s-nothing-worse-than-a-leader-who-lacks-ambition/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If i can't even protect my captain's dream, then whatever ambition i have is nothing but talk..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoro/if-i-can-t-even-protect-my-captain-s-dream-then-whatever-ambition-i/) [Zoro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoro/) > [It may seem unattainable but if you put actions, your heart and your mind into it, you will prevail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/london-mond/it-may-seem-unattainable-but-if-you-put-actions-your-heart-and-your/) [London Mond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/london-mond/) > [Obligation is what's leading us to toward successful, and what keeps us moving towards the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wazim-shaw/obligation-is-what-s-leading-us-to-toward-successful-and-what-keeps/) [Wazim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wazim-shaw/) [Browse all 4,601 Ambition quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My ambition is to learn to play the trombone. 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