---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Bob Erlendson, a local piano player…"
description: "\"Bob Erlendson, a local piano player, taught me chord structure and which scales go along with them. Later, I began listening to [pianists] Bill Evans a..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/827/lenny-breau-65597_bills_bob-erlendson-a-local-piano-player-taugh_772016.jpg"
---

#  Bob Erlendson, a local piano player, taught me chord…

![“Bob Erlendson, a local piano player, taught me chord structure and which scales go along with them. Later, I began listening to &#91;pianists&#93; Bill Evans and McCoy Tyner. Then I got interested in &#91;saxophonist&#93; John Coltrane.” quote by Lenny Breau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/827/lenny-breau-65597_bills_bob-erlendson-a-local-piano-player-taugh_772016.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/827/lenny-breau-65597_bills_bob-erlendson-a-local-piano-player-taugh_772016.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/827/lenny-breau-65597_bills_bob-erlendson-a-local-piano-player-taugh_772016.jpg)

> “Bob Erlendson, a local piano player, taught me chord structure and which scales go along with them. Later, I began listening to \[pianists\] Bill Evans and McCoy Tyner. Then I got interested in \[saxophonist\] John Coltrane.”

Lenny Breau

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Shows how mentorship and listening to masters shape a musician's development and artistic voice.

**In simple terms:** Mentors and listening guide musical growth.

Key Takeaway

Seek mentors, study great artists.

Themes

music education mentorship influence artistic development

Mood

reflective enthusiastic

Type

educational inspirational

When to use this quote

- practice sessions
- jam sessions
- recording studios

Key Concepts

Pedagogy creative inspiration cultural transmission

Questions to Reflect On

- Who inspires your creative path?
- How do you balance learning and innovation?

A Different Perspective

Overreliance on copying can stifle originality.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Pianist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pianist/) [Piano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/piano/) [Piano Player](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/piano-player/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Structure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/structure/)

## Related quotes

> [I picked up some wonderful things just listening to other pianists that I appreciate, and that would be Herbie Hancock, Oscar Peterson, Vladimir Horowitz,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aretha-franklin/i-picked-up-some-wonderful-things-just-listening-to-other-pianists/)

[Aretha Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aretha-franklin/)

> [I'm aware of Yusef Lateef and Sun Ra and John Coltrane. My music cup runneth over. I try to encourage people: don't cut anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nugent/i-m-aware-of-yusef-lateef-and-sun-ra-and-john-coltrane-my-music-cup/)

[Ted Nugent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nugent/)

> [If there's any such thing as a perfect man, I think John Coltrane was one. And I think that kind of perfection has to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elvin-jones/if-there-s-any-such-thing-as-a-perfect-man-i-think-john-coltrane-was/)

[Elvin Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elvin-jones/)

> [I am the flying saucer man from another world trapped on yours until they come to rescue me. One day the saucer will land.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/i-am-the-flying-saucer-man-from-another-world-trapped-on-yours-until/)

[Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/)

> [To me John Coltrane was like an angel on earth. He struck me that deeply.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elvin-jones/to-me-john-coltrane-was-like-an-angel-on-earth-he-struck-me-that/)

[Elvin Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elvin-jones/)

> [For me, the bold jazz of John Coltrane and Miles Davis reflected the bold attitude in African-Americans finding their political identity and voice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kareem-abdul-jabbar/for-me-the-bold-jazz-of-john-coltrane-and-miles-davis-reflected-the/)

[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kareem-abdul-jabbar/)

> [Lately, Ive been listening to some jazz albums. I love the new Pat Metheny album. John Coltrane. I still like good metal, though!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geezer-butler/lately-ive-been-listening-to-some-jazz-albums-i-love-the-new-pat/)

[Geezer Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geezer-butler/)

> [When you're playing the part of a saxophone or a trumpet player, both of which I have done, it would be nice to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-rea/when-you-re-playing-the-part-of-a-saxophone-or-a-trumpet-player-both/)

[Stephen Rea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-rea/)

> [John Coltrane is still probably one of the greatest musicians of this century. His tone truly puts demons on a leash. His gift is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-santana/john-coltrane-is-still-probably-one-of-the-greatest-musicians-of-this/)

[Carlos Santana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-santana/)

> [Listen to John Coltrane enough and after two bars, just two bars at any place, and you know that's him. We all have signature…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cosby/listen-to-john-coltrane-enough-and-after-two-bars-just-two-bars-at/)

[Bill Cosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cosby/)

> [I love music/sounds that have a passion, a fire, an energy I can connect with. I love angry sounding beat tracks, dark sounds for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mick-harris/i-love-music-sounds-that-have-a-passion-a-fire-an-energy-i-can/)

Mick Harris

> [As much as I think John Coltrane belongs on the list, I think without Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young, both of whom defined improvising…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbie-mann/as-much-as-i-think-john-coltrane-belongs-on-the-list-i-think-without/)

[Herbie Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbie-mann/)

> [My dad would play me all of these records: Miles Davis records, John Coltrane records, Bill Evans records, a lot of jazz records. My…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eldar-djangirov/my-dad-would-play-me-all-of-these-records-miles-davis-records-john/)

[Eldar Djangirov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eldar-djangirov/)

> [I listened to King Oliver and I listened to Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, John Coltrane, Archie Shepp... I listened…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-clapton/i-listened-to-king-oliver-and-i-listened-to-louis-armstrong-jelly/)

[Eric Clapton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-clapton/)

> [ John \[Coltrane\] was like a visitor to this planet. He came in peace and he left in peace; but during his time here, he… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-ayler/john-coltrane-was-like-a-visitor-to-this-planet-he-came-in-peace-and/)

[Albert Ayler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-ayler/)

## More by Lenny Breau

> [I also became inspired by impressionist painters such as Renoir, and wanted to do the same sort of thing with music-portray whatever mood strikes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-breau/i-also-became-inspired-by-impressionist-painters-such-as-renoir-and/)

Lenny Breau

> [I started playing jazz by slowing down Tal Farlow records and analyzing his runs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-breau/i-started-playing-jazz-by-slowing-down-tal-farlow-records-and/)

Lenny Breau

> [My folks were country music performers. They made records and even did a few tours with the Grand Ole Opry. There always were a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-breau/my-folks-were-country-music-performers-they-made-records-and-even-did/)

Lenny Breau

Explore all 4 Lenny Breau quotes

## More Bills quotes

> [If you’re a person struggling to eat and stay healthy you might have heard about Michael Jordan or Muhammad Ali, but you’ll never have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/if-you-re-a-person-struggling-to-eat-and-stay-healthy-you-might-have/)

[Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/)

> [Some of the folks on both sides might be sincere, but it does seem as if it is only the opposition that cares about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-bovard/some-of-the-folks-on-both-sides-might-be-sincere-but-it-does-seem-as/)

[James Bovard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-bovard/)

> [ \[Sport officials\] blocked their support of us. But those individuals \[ Muhammad Ali, the Jim Browns, the Bill Russells, Kareem Abdul Jabbar \] were… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-carlos/sport-officials-blocked-their-support-of-us-but-those-individuals/)

[John Carlos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-carlos/)

> [Simple fairness dictates that government must not raise taxes on families struggling to pay their bills.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/simple-fairness-dictates-that-government-must-not-raise-taxes-on/)

[Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/)

> [ \[A\]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-seuss/a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-fare-that-s-darned-good-advice/)

[Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-seuss/)

> [ I will not agree to have this bill \[to repeal DADT \] go forward, because our economy is in the tank. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/i-will-not-agree-to-have-this-bill-to-repeal-dadt-go-forward-because/)

[John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/)

> [This is not really currency that circulates. It's like the old joke about expensive vintage wine. Wine prices will go up and once in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-hudson/this-is-not-really-currency-that-circulates-it-s-like-the-old-joke/)

[Michael Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-hudson/)

> [If Bill Gates left Microsoft we wouldn't allow Donald Trump to run it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-i-am/if-bill-gates-left-microsoft-we-wouldn-t-allow-donald-trump-to-run-it/)

[will.i.am](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-i-am/)

> [Your goal should be to pay off your credit card bills in full at the end of each month and set aside money toward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suze-orman/your-goal-should-be-to-pay-off-your-credit-card-bills-in-full-at-the/)

[Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/)

> [He's fat and a clown, Bill, a fat clown for all to see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eamon-dunphy/he-s-fat-and-a-clown-bill-a-fat-clown-for-all-to-see/)

[Eamon Dunphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eamon-dunphy/)

> [There's nothing nice about Steve Jobs and there's nothing evil about Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-peddle/there-s-nothing-nice-about-steve-jobs-and-there-s-nothing-evil-about/)

Chuck Peddle

> [At first I thought, if I were Superman, a perfect secret identity would be "Clark Kent, Dentist," because you could save money on tooth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/at-first-i-thought-if-i-were-superman-a-perfect-secret-identity-would/)

[Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/)

> [Whether it's people walking off 'The View' when Bill O'Reilly makes a statement about radical Islam or Juan Williams being fired for expressing his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-cantor/whether-it-s-people-walking-off-the-view-when-bill-o-reilly-makes-a/)

[Eric Cantor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-cantor/)

> [The one thing the police cannot protect us from is a politician like Bill de Blasio.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-o-reilly/the-one-thing-the-police-cannot-protect-us-from-is-a-politician-like/)

[Bill O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-o-reilly/)

> [Bill Hicks - blowtorch, excavator, truthsayer, and brain specialist. He will correct your vision. Others will drive on the road he built.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-waits/bill-hicks-blowtorch-excavator-truthsayer-and-brain-specialist-he/)

[Tom Waits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-waits/)

Browse all 2,663 Bills quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Bob Erlendson, a local piano player, taught me chord structure and which scales go along with them. Later, I began listening to [pianists] Bill Evans and McCoy Tyner. Then I got interested in [saxophonist] John Coltrane.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Lenny Breau"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-breau/bob-erlendson-a-local-piano-player-taught-me-chord-structure-and/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Bills"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-breau/bob-erlendson-a-local-piano-player-taught-me-chord-structure-and/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/827/lenny-breau-65597_bills_bob-erlendson-a-local-piano-player-taugh_772016.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/827/lenny-breau-65597_bills_bob-erlendson-a-local-piano-player-taugh_772016.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/827/lenny-breau-65597_bills_bob-erlendson-a-local-piano-player-taugh_772016.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Bob Erlendson, a local piano player, taught me chord structure and which scales go along with them. Later, I…” — Lenny Breau",
                "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": "Lenny Breau",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-breau/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Bob Erlendson, a local piano player,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-breau/bob-erlendson-a-local-piano-player-taught-me-chord-structure-and/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-breau/bob-erlendson-a-local-piano-player-taught-me-chord-structure-and/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
