--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I consider everything I compose a gift." description: "\"I consider everything I compose a gift.\" — Keith Emerson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed8/keith-emerson-19478_quote_i-consider-everything-i-compose-a-gift-1_1763990.jpg" --- # I consider everything I compose a gift. ![“I consider everything I compose a gift.” quote by Keith Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed8/keith-emerson-19478_quote_i-consider-everything-i-compose-a-gift-1_1763990.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed8/keith-emerson-19478_quote_i-consider-everything-i-compose-a-gift-1_1763990.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed8/keith-emerson-19478_quote_i-consider-everything-i-compose-a-gift-1_1763990.jpg) > “I consider everything I compose a gift.” [Keith Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-emerson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Creative work is treated as a present offered to others. **In simple terms:** I view my compositions as gifts. Key Takeaway Create with generosity. Themes creativity gift‑giving artistic humility Mood inspirational reflective Type artistic philosophical When to use this quote - concerts - album releases - teaching - collaborations Key Concepts music theory psychology of art Questions to Reflect On - How does seeing art as a gift change your process? - What responsibilities come with gifting creativity? A Different Perspective Not all audiences receive gifts equally; expectations vary. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Gift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gift/) ## Related quotes > [I follow a simple formula when I compose. I ask myself, 'What would the audience want to hear?' and 'Why would they buy my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-r-rahman/i-follow-a-simple-formula-when-i-compose-i-ask-myself-what-would-the/) [A. R. Rahman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-r-rahman/) > [Only when I experience do I compose - only when I compose do I experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustav-mahler/only-when-i-experience-do-i-compose-only-when-i-compose-do-i/) [Gustav Mahler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustav-mahler/) > [I am talented enough to compose internationally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anu-malik/i-am-talented-enough-to-compose-internationally/) [Anu Malik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anu-malik/) > [I am not just a singer, I am a composer as well. Because I'm balancing both, it takes me longer to compose a song.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ankit-tiwari/i-am-not-just-a-singer-i-am-a-composer-as-well-because-i-m-balancing/) [Ankit Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ankit-tiwari/) > [Works of art inspire me to compose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krzysztof-penderecki/works-of-art-inspire-me-to-compose/) [Krzysztof Penderecki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krzysztof-penderecki/) > [I've been a full-time composer for many years, and I'm still learning all the time. There is always more than one musical "solution" to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-keltonic/i-ve-been-a-full-time-composer-for-many-years-and-i-m-still-learning/) [John Keltonic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-keltonic/) > [If I pick up a fiddle, I don't compose on it, so much as I just play whatever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-amidon/if-i-pick-up-a-fiddle-i-don-t-compose-on-it-so-much-as-i-just-play/) [Sam Amidon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-amidon/) > [To compose is to remember music that has never been written.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/to-compose-is-to-remember-music-that-has-never-been-written/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [I got to compose for a full symphony orchestra.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-conte/i-got-to-compose-for-a-full-symphony-orchestra/) [Jack Conte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-conte/) > [I know a famous violinist who told me he can't compose because he knows too many pieces. So, when he starts thinking of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/i-know-a-famous-violinist-who-told-me-he-can-t-compose-because-he/) [Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/) > [One of the challenges is creating characters. I am trying to compose my sentences to express epic events happening to ordinary people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-hirata/one-of-the-challenges-is-creating-characters-i-am-trying-to-compose/) [Andrea Hirata](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-hirata/) > [Even in front of nature one must compose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-degas/even-in-front-of-nature-one-must-compose/) [Edgar Degas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-degas/) > [I don't meditate before I play or compose, but I see playing and composing as meditative acts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-swallow/i-don-t-meditate-before-i-play-or-compose-but-i-see-playing-and/) Steve Swallow > [Every song that I compose has to satisfy the music director in me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gopi-sundar/every-song-that-i-compose-has-to-satisfy-the-music-director-in-me/) [Gopi Sundar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gopi-sundar/) > [“we compose our life in stories we tell ourselves”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-j-geddes/we-compose-our-life-in-stories-we-tell-ourselves/) [john j geddes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-j-geddes/) ## More by Keith Emerson > [At the Isle of Wight, the sound went out and kind of kept on going. And I wasn't... when I came off stage I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-emerson/at-the-isle-of-wight-the-sound-went-out-and-kind-of-kept-on-going-and/) [Keith Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-emerson/) > [Next year I'm going to be a guesting soloist with orchestras all over Europe, to start off with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-emerson/next-year-i-m-going-to-be-a-guesting-soloist-with-orchestras-all-over/) [Keith Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-emerson/) > [Ive broken my nose, Ive broken ribs. You name it. In fact, we just got back from South America, and I fell over a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-emerson/ive-broken-my-nose-ive-broken-ribs-you-name-it-in-fact-we-just-got/) [Keith Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-emerson/) > [You've got to keep things flying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-emerson/you-ve-got-to-keep-things-flying/) [Keith Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-emerson/) > [They were keen for me still to play the piano, which I was going to, but 45 minutes of piano would be extremely boring.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-emerson/they-were-keen-for-me-still-to-play-the-piano-which-i-was-going-to/) [Keith Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-emerson/) > [We can all put weight on or lose weight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-emerson/we-can-all-put-weight-on-or-lose-weight/) [Keith Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-emerson/) > [I'm not a rich man, and Greg Lake is certainly not. I don't know how he can survive. I don't know how he can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-emerson/i-m-not-a-rich-man-and-greg-lake-is-certainly-not-i-don-t-know-how-he/) [Keith Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-emerson/) > [I've broken my nose, I've broken ribs. You name it. In fact, we just got back from South America, and I fell over a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-emerson/i-ve-broken-my-nose-i-ve-broken-ribs-you-name-it-in-fact-we-just-got/) [Keith Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-emerson/) > [Find a good teacher, as I found for my sons. I feel the worst thing you can do is to try and teach your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-emerson/find-a-good-teacher-as-i-found-for-my-sons-i-feel-the-worst-thing-you/) [Keith Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-emerson/) > [I remember that I used to mix with my friends who had brothers and sisters. I was an only child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-emerson/i-remember-that-i-used-to-mix-with-my-friends-who-had-brothers-and/) [Keith Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-emerson/) > [I've gone through hell and back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-emerson/i-ve-gone-through-hell-and-back/) [Keith Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-emerson/) > [If they want a photograph, then just take it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-emerson/if-they-want-a-photograph-then-just-take-it/) [Keith Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-emerson/) > [We manage to bounce ideas off one another. Every band fights, but at the end of the day, we're very positive about the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-emerson/we-manage-to-bounce-ideas-off-one-another-every-band-fights-but-at/) [Keith Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-emerson/) > [We'll be presenting a broad spectrum of the music and looking at how the younger guys can carry it on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-emerson/we-ll-be-presenting-a-broad-spectrum-of-the-music-and-looking-at-how/) [Keith Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-emerson/) > [I'm proud of my kids, they are doing what they want to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-emerson/i-m-proud-of-my-kids-they-are-doing-what-they-want-to-do/) [Keith Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-emerson/) [Explore all 32 Keith Emerson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-emerson/) ## More Compose quotes > [I follow a simple formula when I compose. I ask myself, 'What would the audience want to hear?' and 'Why would they buy my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-r-rahman/i-follow-a-simple-formula-when-i-compose-i-ask-myself-what-would-the/) [A. R. Rahman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-r-rahman/) > [Every song that I compose has to satisfy the music director in me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gopi-sundar/every-song-that-i-compose-has-to-satisfy-the-music-director-in-me/) [Gopi Sundar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gopi-sundar/) > [I don't meditate before I play or compose, but I see playing and composing as meditative acts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-swallow/i-don-t-meditate-before-i-play-or-compose-but-i-see-playing-and/) Steve Swallow > [Even in front of nature one must compose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-degas/even-in-front-of-nature-one-must-compose/) [Edgar Degas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-degas/) > [One of the challenges is creating characters. I am trying to compose my sentences to express epic events happening to ordinary people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-hirata/one-of-the-challenges-is-creating-characters-i-am-trying-to-compose/) [Andrea Hirata](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-hirata/) > [I know a famous violinist who told me he can't compose because he knows too many pieces. So, when he starts thinking of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/i-know-a-famous-violinist-who-told-me-he-can-t-compose-because-he/) [Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/) > [I got to compose for a full symphony orchestra.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-conte/i-got-to-compose-for-a-full-symphony-orchestra/) [Jack Conte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-conte/) > [To compose is to remember music that has never been written.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/to-compose-is-to-remember-music-that-has-never-been-written/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [If I pick up a fiddle, I don't compose on it, so much as I just play whatever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-amidon/if-i-pick-up-a-fiddle-i-don-t-compose-on-it-so-much-as-i-just-play/) [Sam Amidon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-amidon/) > [I've been a full-time composer for many years, and I'm still learning all the time. There is always more than one musical "solution" to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-keltonic/i-ve-been-a-full-time-composer-for-many-years-and-i-m-still-learning/) [John Keltonic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-keltonic/) > [Works of art inspire me to compose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krzysztof-penderecki/works-of-art-inspire-me-to-compose/) [Krzysztof Penderecki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krzysztof-penderecki/) > [I am not just a singer, I am a composer as well. Because I'm balancing both, it takes me longer to compose a song.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ankit-tiwari/i-am-not-just-a-singer-i-am-a-composer-as-well-because-i-m-balancing/) [Ankit Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ankit-tiwari/) > [I am talented enough to compose internationally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anu-malik/i-am-talented-enough-to-compose-internationally/) [Anu Malik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anu-malik/) > [Only when I experience do I compose - only when I compose do I experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustav-mahler/only-when-i-experience-do-i-compose-only-when-i-compose-do-i/) [Gustav Mahler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustav-mahler/) > [“we compose our life in stories we tell ourselves”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-j-geddes/we-compose-our-life-in-stories-we-tell-ourselves/) [john j geddes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-j-geddes/) Browse all 103 Compose quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I consider everything I compose a gift.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Keith Emerson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-emerson/i-consider-everything-i-compose-a-gift/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Compose" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-emerson/i-consider-everything-i-compose-a-gift/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed8/keith-emerson-19478_quote_i-consider-everything-i-compose-a-gift-1_1763990.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed8/keith-emerson-19478_quote_i-consider-everything-i-compose-a-gift-1_1763990.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed8/keith-emerson-19478_quote_i-consider-everything-i-compose-a-gift-1_1763990.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I consider everything I compose a gift.” — Keith Emerson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Keith Emerson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-emerson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I consider everything I compose a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-emerson/i-consider-everything-i-compose-a-gift/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-emerson/i-consider-everything-i-compose-a-gift/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```