--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You can have the greatest player in terms…" description: "\"You can have the greatest player in terms of mastering an instrument and you could be yawning your head off when you hear them. So, it's not what you d..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e39/john-mclaughlin-10405_mastering_you-can-have-the-greatest-player-in-term_677490.jpg" --- # You can have the greatest player in terms of mastering an… ![“You can have the greatest player in terms of mastering an instrument and you could be yawning your head off when you hear them. So, it's not what you do, but the way you're doing it and in the end that's all that we have.” quote by John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e39/john-mclaughlin-10405_mastering_you-can-have-the-greatest-player-in-term_677490.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e39/john-mclaughlin-10405_mastering_you-can-have-the-greatest-player-in-term_677490.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e39/john-mclaughlin-10405_mastering_you-can-have-the-greatest-player-in-term_677490.jpg) > “You can have the greatest player in terms of mastering an instrument and you could be yawning your head off when you hear them. So, it's not what you do, but the way you're doing it and in the end that's all that we have.” [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Skill alone isn’t enough; the attitude and expression behind performance matter most. **In simple terms:** How you do something matters more than what you do. Key Takeaway Focus on intention and presence. Themes performance mindset authenticity Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical artistic When to use this quote - music lessons - public speaking - sports competition - creative work Key Concepts artistic expression presence Questions to Reflect On - What does your “how” reveal about you? - How can you improve your approach? A Different Perspective Technical mastery can be undervalued if not paired with feeling. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Music making](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music-making/) ## Related quotes > [What drew me to the violin was mastering the instrument technically, which I'm continuing to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-bell/what-drew-me-to-the-violin-was-mastering-the-instrument-technically/) [Joshua Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-bell/) > [“They were uninhibited when it came to music and sometimes the three of them had a tune inside their head that no one else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melina-marchetta/they-were-uninhibited-when-it-came-to-music-and-sometimes-the-three/) [Melina Marchetta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melina-marchetta/) > [My own thing is in my head. I hear sounds and if I don't get them together nobody else will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimi-hendrix/my-own-thing-is-in-my-head-i-hear-sounds-and-if-i-don-t-get-them/) [Jimi Hendrix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimi-hendrix/) > [I wonder what goes through your head when you hear my name...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-watson/i-wonder-what-goes-through-your-head-when-you-hear-my-name/) [Toni Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-watson/) > [I don't want to become a rhetorical speaker. My effectiveness is mastering all of the data and being able to respond.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-finkelstein/i-don-t-want-to-become-a-rhetorical-speaker-my-effectiveness-is/) [Norman Finkelstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-finkelstein/) > [Mastering the paradox of star brands is very difficult and rare - fortunately.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-arnault/mastering-the-paradox-of-star-brands-is-very-difficult-and-rare/) [Bernard Arnault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-arnault/) > [I think anyone who knows the audio process knows what mixing and mastering is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-james/i-think-anyone-who-knows-the-audio-process-knows-what-mixing-and/) [Jim James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-james/) > [Study your craft, first. Then explore the business side. If you can commit to mastering both, then you're ready to pursue acting as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ealy/study-your-craft-first-then-explore-the-business-side-if-you-can/) [Michael Ealy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ealy/) > [Mastering music is more than learning technical skills. Practicing is about quality, not quantity. Some days I practice for hours; other days it will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yo-yo-ma/mastering-music-is-more-than-learning-technical-skills-practicing-is/) [Yo-Yo Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yo-yo-ma/) > [Mastering one recipe is better than mastering too many. Learn something and own it, and you'll feel so much better about it. You'll have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-douglas/mastering-one-recipe-is-better-than-mastering-too-many-learn/) [Tom Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-douglas/) > [“That delicious moment when you realize people are reading your updates when they update their status with terms that only you know how to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-claudia-antunes/that-delicious-moment-when-you-realize-people-are-reading-your/) [Ana Claudia Antunes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-claudia-antunes/) > [I am mastering my Hindi.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suhasini-mulay/i-am-mastering-my-hindi/) [Suhasini Mulay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suhasini-mulay/) > [“But while mastering technique is difficult and time-consuming, it’s still inherently easier to reach an already defined goal — a “right answer” — than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bayles/but-while-mastering-technique-is-difficult-and-time-consuming-it-s/) [David Bayles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bayles/) > [From tours to mixing, mastering, graphics, artwork - I've done out of pocket.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/logic/from-tours-to-mixing-mastering-graphics-artwork-i-ve-done-out-of/) [Logic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/logic/) > [“Having no applicable skills, in any possible area whatsoever, effectively makes me the master of redundancy. But that info is obsolete, like my insults…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-advise/having-no-applicable-skills-in-any-possible-area-whatsoever/) Will Advise ## More by John McLaughlin > [Every day, I discover something utterly unbelievable when I play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/every-day-i-discover-something-utterly-unbelievable-when-i-play/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) > [Interplay and interaction are the integral parts of music - they're as important as the notes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/interplay-and-interaction-are-the-integral-parts-of-music-they-re-as/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) > [Music is closer to poetry than anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/music-is-closer-to-poetry-than-anything/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) > [Miles Davis himself, I discovered him when I was 15, and he rocked my world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/miles-davis-himself-i-discovered-him-when-i-was-15-and-he-rocked-my/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) > [One of the advantages of playing in a club is that even with bass and drums, the atmosphere remains intimate with the audience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/one-of-the-advantages-of-playing-in-a-club-is-that-even-with-bass-and/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) > [In a certain sense, these were lessons I learned by playing with Indian musicians. The rhythmic forms that they use are very complex, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/in-a-certain-sense-these-were-lessons-i-learned-by-playing-with/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) > [The day I stop making music would be the day I keel over, really.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/the-day-i-stop-making-music-would-be-the-day-i-keel-over-really/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) > [The Beatles, they brought a whole new dimension to pop music. Of course, the psychedelic period is much more interesting to me, starting with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/the-beatles-they-brought-a-whole-new-dimension-to-pop-music-of-course/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) > [Absolutely, all guitars are different. You can go into a store and grab five guitars, all the same model, and even though they look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/absolutely-all-guitars-are-different-you-can-go-into-a-store-and-grab/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) > [To pay attention to flattery or criticism is a waste of time for artists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/to-pay-attention-to-flattery-or-criticism-is-a-waste-of-time-for/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) > [The mathematics of rhythm are universal. They don't belong to any particular culture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/the-mathematics-of-rhythm-are-universal-they-don-t-belong-to-any/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) > [I practice all the scales. Everyone should know lots of scales. Actually, I feel there are only scales. What is a chord, if not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/i-practice-all-the-scales-everyone-should-know-lots-of-scales/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) > [Music speaks from spirit to spirit and in that sense you could call it a true spiritual language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/music-speaks-from-spirit-to-spirit-and-in-that-sense-you-could-call/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) > [Only in spontaneity can we be who we truly are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/only-in-spontaneity-can-we-be-who-we-truly-are/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) > [I was dealing with a lot of spiritual questions like "Who am I?" "What is God" "What is the meaning of life?" All of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mclaughlin/i-was-dealing-with-a-lot-of-spiritual-questions-like-who-am-i-what-is/) [John McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) [Explore all 66 John McLaughlin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mclaughlin/) ## More Mastering quotes > [“Having no applicable skills, in any possible area whatsoever, effectively makes me the master of redundancy. But that info is obsolete, like my insults…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-advise/having-no-applicable-skills-in-any-possible-area-whatsoever/) Will Advise > [From tours to mixing, mastering, graphics, artwork - I've done out of pocket.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/logic/from-tours-to-mixing-mastering-graphics-artwork-i-ve-done-out-of/) [Logic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/logic/) > [“But while mastering technique is difficult and time-consuming, it’s still inherently easier to reach an already defined goal — a “right answer” — than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bayles/but-while-mastering-technique-is-difficult-and-time-consuming-it-s/) [David Bayles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bayles/) > [I am mastering my Hindi.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suhasini-mulay/i-am-mastering-my-hindi/) [Suhasini Mulay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suhasini-mulay/) > [“That delicious moment when you realize people are reading your updates when they update their status with terms that only you know how to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-claudia-antunes/that-delicious-moment-when-you-realize-people-are-reading-your/) [Ana Claudia Antunes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-claudia-antunes/) > [Mastering one recipe is better than mastering too many. Learn something and own it, and you'll feel so much better about it. You'll have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-douglas/mastering-one-recipe-is-better-than-mastering-too-many-learn/) [Tom Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-douglas/) > [Mastering music is more than learning technical skills. Practicing is about quality, not quantity. Some days I practice for hours; other days it will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yo-yo-ma/mastering-music-is-more-than-learning-technical-skills-practicing-is/) [Yo-Yo Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yo-yo-ma/) > [Study your craft, first. Then explore the business side. If you can commit to mastering both, then you're ready to pursue acting as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ealy/study-your-craft-first-then-explore-the-business-side-if-you-can/) [Michael Ealy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ealy/) > [I think anyone who knows the audio process knows what mixing and mastering is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-james/i-think-anyone-who-knows-the-audio-process-knows-what-mixing-and/) [Jim James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-james/) > [Mastering the paradox of star brands is very difficult and rare - fortunately.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-arnault/mastering-the-paradox-of-star-brands-is-very-difficult-and-rare/) [Bernard Arnault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-arnault/) > [I don't want to become a rhetorical speaker. My effectiveness is mastering all of the data and being able to respond.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-finkelstein/i-don-t-want-to-become-a-rhetorical-speaker-my-effectiveness-is/) [Norman Finkelstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-finkelstein/) > [There is a calculus, it turns out, for mastering our subconscious urges. For companies like Target, the exhaustive rendering of our conscious and unconscious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/there-is-a-calculus-it-turns-out-for-mastering-our-subconscious-urges/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [On the mixin' and mastering, puzzlin' and plastering the tracks together on tapes, CDs, wax or whatever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devin-tha-dude/on-the-mixin-and-mastering-puzzlin-and-plastering-the-tracks-together/) Devin Tha Dude > [Be realistic. The chance of mastering something the first time you do it is almost non-existent. Everything takes time to learn and you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/be-realistic-the-chance-of-mastering-something-the-first-time-you-do/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I approach mastering a little differently than some of my peers: I spend a lot of time creating a dialogue with the artist and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-lazar/i-approach-mastering-a-little-differently-than-some-of-my-peers-i/) [Emily Lazar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-lazar/) Browse all 45 Mastering quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You can have the greatest player in terms of mastering an instrument and you could be yawning your head off when you hear them. 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