--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've played every instrument you could…" description: "\"I've played every instrument you could possibly think of for 10 minutes. So I'm mediocre at everything. I can play drums, guitar, piano, violin, saxoph..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9d/kat-dennings-9694_clarinet_i-ve-played-every-instrument-you-could-p_1206780.jpg" --- # I've played every instrument you could possibly think of… ![“I've played every instrument you could possibly think of for 10 minutes. So I'm mediocre at everything. I can play drums, guitar, piano, violin, saxophone, clarinet, flute... Just not well.” quote by Kat Dennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9d/kat-dennings-9694_clarinet_i-ve-played-every-instrument-you-could-p_1206780.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9d/kat-dennings-9694_clarinet_i-ve-played-every-instrument-you-could-p_1206780.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9d/kat-dennings-9694_clarinet_i-ve-played-every-instrument-you-could-p_1206780.jpg) > “I've played every instrument you could possibly think of for 10 minutes. So I'm mediocre at everything. I can play drums, guitar, piano, violin, saxophone, clarinet, flute... Just not well.” [Kat Dennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-dennings/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Trying many skills briefly leads to shallow competence rather than mastery. **In simple terms:** Trying many things briefly makes you average at all. Key Takeaway Focus to develop depth in one area. Themes mediocrity skill acquisition focus Mood reflective thoughtful Type advice personal anecdote When to use this quote - learning a new instrument - career planning - hobby selection - educational curriculum Key Concepts deliberate practice expertise breadth vs depth Questions to Reflect On - Do you value breadth over depth? - How might focused practice change your skill level? A Different Perspective Depth requires sustained, focused effort, not just exposure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Drums](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drums/) [Flute](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flute/) [Guitar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guitar/) [Instrument](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instrument/) [Music making](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music-making/) [Piano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/piano/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Saxophone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saxophone/) [Violin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violin/) ## Related quotes > [It's harder to play drums than guitar, physically. I'm always kind of on the edge. I guess that's how I play everything: on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-mascis/it-s-harder-to-play-drums-than-guitar-physically-i-m-always-kind-of/) [J Mascis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-mascis/) > [I play drums and guitar. My best instrument is definitely drums, so I'm featured a lot on the album drumming. It's pretty futuristic as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-bieber/i-play-drums-and-guitar-my-best-instrument-is-definitely-drums-so-i-m/) [Justin Bieber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-bieber/) > [We decided to do some of Merle's things with modern instrumentation. We used a flute, a bass clarinet, a trumpet, a clarinet, drums, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-ernie-ford/we-decided-to-do-some-of-merle-s-things-with-modern-instrumentation/) [Tennessee Ernie Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-ernie-ford/) > [I play drums, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, piano.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-wisdom/i-play-drums-clarinet-saxophone-trumpet-french-horn-piano/) [Norman Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-wisdom/) > [Then when I was in grammar school I played the clarinet, and then, after clarinet I played the flute in college orchestra - besides…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-mcferrin/then-when-i-was-in-grammar-school-i-played-the-clarinet-and-then/) [Bobby McFerrin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-mcferrin/) > [I used to play flute and clarinet at school, and although I wasn't thinking about making a living or getting a pay cheque, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nile-rodgers/i-used-to-play-flute-and-clarinet-at-school-and-although-i-wasn-t/) [Nile Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nile-rodgers/) > [I enjoy all kinds of music. But it is kind of strange when I do parodies, instead of setting up drums and guitar amps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-yankovic/i-enjoy-all-kinds-of-music-but-it-is-kind-of-strange-when-i-do/) [Al Yankovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-yankovic/) > [Well it works for me because it's kinda a pivotal thing for being in the bands like have to lay down all the drums…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joey-jordison/well-it-works-for-me-because-it-s-kinda-a-pivotal-thing-for-being-in/) [Joey Jordison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joey-jordison/) > [I wanted to hear the songs in the way that I had written them, which was very basic. All I wanted was drums and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thurston-moore/i-wanted-to-hear-the-songs-in-the-way-that-i-had-written-them-which-2/) [Thurston Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thurston-moore/) > [I wanted to hear the songs in the way that I had written them, which was, in a way, very basic. So all I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thurston-moore/i-wanted-to-hear-the-songs-in-the-way-that-i-had-written-them-which/) [Thurston Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thurston-moore/) > [ It seemed so wimpy at first when I started to play \[guitar\]. So I started playing loud with lots of effects just to try… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-mascis/it-seemed-so-wimpy-at-first-when-i-started-to-play-guitar-so-i/) [J Mascis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-mascis/) > [I wish I played an instrument, but I could never decide which one, and I ended up playing nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nastassja-kinski/i-wish-i-played-an-instrument-but-i-could-never-decide-which-one-and/) [Nastassja Kinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nastassja-kinski/) > [Ive got three brothers and a sister; everybody played an instrument. When I was at Manchester United and I broke my leg in 1992,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dion-dublin/ive-got-three-brothers-and-a-sister-everybody-played-an-instrument/) [Dion Dublin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dion-dublin/) > [Growing up, I didn't come from a musical family. Neither of my parents played an instrument, sang out loud, or listened to the radio…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amor-towles/growing-up-i-didn-t-come-from-a-musical-family-neither-of-my-parents/) [Amor Towles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amor-towles/) > [Unfortunately, I never played an instrument. I can't blame my parents, but I wish I had had music lessons. It's odd because I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-wiseman/unfortunately-i-never-played-an-instrument-i-can-t-blame-my-parents/) [Frederick Wiseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-wiseman/) ## More by Kat Dennings > [I don't know, I like the word sassy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-dennings/i-don-t-know-i-like-the-word-sassy/) [Kat Dennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-dennings/) > [I don't take crap from anyone, so that makes people think I'm rebellious. I'm not. I'm just not a pushover.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-dennings/i-don-t-take-crap-from-anyone-so-that-makes-people-think-i-m/) [Kat Dennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-dennings/) > [I'm really comfortable with myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-dennings/i-m-really-comfortable-with-myself/) [Kat Dennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-dennings/) > [No matter what I do, they're there. I looked in the mirror and I was like, 'Oh God.' But what am I going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-dennings/no-matter-what-i-do-they-re-there-i-looked-in-the-mirror-and-i-was/) [Kat Dennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-dennings/) > [Accidentally dance-punched myself in the face during 'Livin' on a Prayer.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-dennings/accidentally-dance-punched-myself-in-the-face-during-livin-on-a-prayer/) [Kat Dennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-dennings/) > [I can say that I had a particularly painful teenage-hood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-dennings/i-can-say-that-i-had-a-particularly-painful-teenage-hood/) [Kat Dennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-dennings/) > [I'm still wearing Target and hand-me-downs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-dennings/i-m-still-wearing-target-and-hand-me-downs/) [Kat Dennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-dennings/) > [I've never been in jeopardy, but being an actor is a pretty shady place to be because you never know where your next job…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-dennings/i-ve-never-been-in-jeopardy-but-being-an-actor-is-a-pretty-shady/) [Kat Dennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-dennings/) > [The more unsettling the more I feel at home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-dennings/the-more-unsettling-the-more-i-feel-at-home/) [Kat Dennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-dennings/) > [I think it's important for people to know that it's okay to feel like you're not better as long as you keep trying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-dennings/i-think-it-s-important-for-people-to-know-that-it-s-okay-to-feel-like/) [Kat Dennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-dennings/) > [My mom took me to a Dolly Parton concert when I was 3.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-dennings/my-mom-took-me-to-a-dolly-parton-concert-when-i-was-3/) [Kat Dennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-dennings/) > [When I was younger there was a lot of discouraging talk: lose weight. Color your hair. Straighten your teeth. Get a tan. But I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-dennings/when-i-was-younger-there-was-a-lot-of-discouraging-talk-lose-weight/) [Kat Dennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-dennings/) > [I was a very unique child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-dennings/i-was-a-very-unique-child/) [Kat Dennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-dennings/) > [I can watch a movie and go, 'Oh, my god, that person is acting.' If you just listen to what the other person is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-dennings/i-can-watch-a-movie-and-go-oh-my-god-that-person-is-acting-if-you/) [Kat Dennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-dennings/) > [Although anything can happen when under the influence of ice water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-dennings/although-anything-can-happen-when-under-the-influence-of-ice-water/) [Kat Dennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-dennings/) [Explore all 71 Kat Dennings quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-dennings/) ## More Clarinet quotes > [I started off playing the clarinet, after I was inspired by listening to my dad's Benny Goodman records.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin-lee/i-started-off-playing-the-clarinet-after-i-was-inspired-by-listening/) [Alvin Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvin-lee/) > [So the ideology was that: use sounds as instruments, as sounds on tape, without the causality. It was no longer a clarinet or a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luc-ferrari/so-the-ideology-was-that-use-sounds-as-instruments-as-sounds-on-tape/) [Luc Ferrari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luc-ferrari/) > [Clarinets, like lawyers, have cases, mouthpieces, and they need a constant supply of hot air in order to function.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-borge/clarinets-like-lawyers-have-cases-mouthpieces-and-they-need-a/) [Victor Borge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-borge/) > [We decided to do some of Merle's things with modern instrumentation. We used a flute, a bass clarinet, a trumpet, a clarinet, drums, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-ernie-ford/we-decided-to-do-some-of-merle-s-things-with-modern-instrumentation/) [Tennessee Ernie Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-ernie-ford/) > [The oboe sounds like a clarinet with a cold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-borge/the-oboe-sounds-like-a-clarinet-with-a-cold/) [Victor Borge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-borge/) > [My eyes are too big, my nose is too flat, my ears stick out, my mouth is too big and my face is too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goldie-hawn/my-eyes-are-too-big-my-nose-is-too-flat-my-ears-stick-out-my-mouth-is/) [Goldie Hawn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goldie-hawn/) > [“Heath holds the door to the band room open for me, and I get to my chair without falling, snapping together my clarinet and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mindy-mcginnis/heath-holds-the-door-to-the-band-room-open-for-me-and-i-get-to-my/) [Mindy McGinnis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mindy-mcginnis/) > [Ted Lewis could make the clarinet talk. What it said was put me back in the case!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-condon/ted-lewis-could-make-the-clarinet-talk-what-it-said-was-put-me-back/) [Eddie Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-condon/) > [I began with dance, doing ballet at 3, then tap, jazz, modern. Then I sang in church choirs, learned how to play clarinet and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-barks/i-began-with-dance-doing-ballet-at-3-then-tap-jazz-modern-then-i-sang/) [Samantha Barks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-barks/) > [Yeah, musically, from a production standpoint my favorite is probably 'Have a Little Talk with Jesus'. Just the way it turned out production wise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bart-millard/yeah-musically-from-a-production-standpoint-my-favorite-is-probably/) [Bart Millard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bart-millard/) > [I've been writing music since I was 9. I took harmony and counterpoint classes when I was studying the clarinet. So, I've been writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-shore/i-ve-been-writing-music-since-i-was-9-i-took-harmony-and-counterpoint/) [Howard Shore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-shore/) > [I was improvising before I was reading music. I was just trying to play things on the clarinet by ear. I think my ear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-fountain/i-was-improvising-before-i-was-reading-music-i-was-just-trying-to/) [Pete Fountain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-fountain/) > [I'm not conditioned to be an entertainer. An entertainer pleases others while an artist only has to please himself. The problem with that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/artie-shaw/i-m-not-conditioned-to-be-an-entertainer-an-entertainer-pleases/) [Artie Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/artie-shaw/) > [ \[I wanted\] to play the clarinet well so I could be in Duke Ellington's band, but that's now impossible. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-hentoff/i-wanted-to-play-the-clarinet-well-so-i-could-be-in-duke-ellington-s/) [Nat Hentoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nat-hentoff/) > [ I had a great year with Bob Mintzer \[at Laguardia School of Arts\]. Bob is great. We could have just brought the clarinet or… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gordon/i-had-a-great-year-with-bob-mintzer-at-laguardia-school-of-arts-bob/) [Jon Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gordon/) Browse all 77 Clarinet quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I've played every instrument you could possibly think of for 10 minutes. 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