Choices Quote by Leo Kottke
“It is not a mystical thing, however, it is obvious and practical and I think that what the performer does is to try to get to that point with every choice you make from the phrasing in a tune to the choice of tunes.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Music Performance Philosophy, Leo Kottke, 1998
A performer must make deliberate choices in phrasing and selection to convey meaning.
In simple terms: Performers shape music through intentional decisions.
Choose each note purposefully.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- Live concerts
- studio recordings
- teaching sessions
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance technical precision with emotional flow?
- When does choice become constraint?
Over‑analysis may stifle spontaneity.