--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Jazz is so difficult. A lot of people…" description: "\"Jazz is so difficult. A lot of people think once they've learned these licks they can get up and play them for the rest of their life. But that's not b..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a6/lester-bowie-20177_being-truthful_jazz-is-so-difficult-a-lot-of-people-thi_1973081.png" --- # Jazz is so difficult. A lot of people think once they've… ![“Jazz is so difficult. A lot of people think once they've learned these licks they can get up and play them for the rest of their life. But that's not being truthful to the music 'cause it's not developing. Cats you hear that don't make no mistakes? They ain't trying to do nothing. everything they…” quote by Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a6/lester-bowie-20177_being-truthful_jazz-is-so-difficult-a-lot-of-people-thi_1973081.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a6/lester-bowie-20177_being-truthful_jazz-is-so-difficult-a-lot-of-people-thi_1973081.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a6/lester-bowie-20177_being-truthful_jazz-is-so-difficult-a-lot-of-people-thi_1973081.png) > “Jazz is so difficult. A lot of people think once they've learned these licks they can get up and play them for the rest of their life. But that's not being truthful to the music 'cause it's not developing. Cats you hear that don't make no mistakes? They ain't trying to do nothing. everything they hear is on the mark, but they've played it so many times... I've built a whole career out of making mistakes!” [Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Mastery in jazz requires continual growth; relying on familiar licks stifles authenticity and development. **In simple terms:** Jazz needs ongoing learning. Key Takeaway Keep evolving musically. Themes music growth authenticity creativity Mood reflective inspirational Type musical philosophical When to use this quote - jam sessions - recording studios - live performances - music education Key Concepts improvisation practice innovation Questions to Reflect On - What habits prevent artistic stagnation? - How can mistakes become creative catalysts? A Different Perspective Even seasoned musicians may become complacent with routine. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being truthful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-truthful/) [Cat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cat/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Jazz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jazz/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Making mistakes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/making-mistakes/) [Mistake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistake/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Truthful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truthful/) ## Related quotes > [I've tried to become a singer with the guitar and not let any technological licks run my life. Just write the licks and play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-beck/i-ve-tried-to-become-a-singer-with-the-guitar-and-not-let-any/) [Jeff Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-beck/) > [I feel like you can't really be truthful as an artist and empathize with the human experience, unless you know your truth and you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-guerrero/i-feel-like-you-can-t-really-be-truthful-as-an-artist-and-empathize/) [Diane Guerrero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-guerrero/) > [Please be truthful, but also please be benevolent, please.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/please-be-truthful-but-also-please-be-benevolent-please/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) > [Acting's not about nose jobs and liposuction. It's about being truthful to what you're doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phylicia-rashad/acting-s-not-about-nose-jobs-and-liposuction-it-s-about-being/) [Phylicia Rashad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phylicia-rashad/) > [If I can mean to people - if I can symbolize the ability to pursue gender equality, racial equality, and to be truthful about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anita-hill/if-i-can-mean-to-people-if-i-can-symbolize-the-ability-to-pursue/) [Anita Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anita-hill/) > [I think the currency of leadership is transparency. You've got to be truthful. I don't think you should be vulnerable every day, but there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/i-think-the-currency-of-leadership-is-transparency-you-ve-got-to-be/) [Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/) > [I really love to act. I really love to touch the people with my work. It's about giving people what they want to see.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-hardrict/i-really-love-to-act-i-really-love-to-touch-the-people-with-my-work/) [Cory Hardrict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-hardrict/) > [There is nothing to fear from truth…Being truthful is essential to being an independent thinker and obtaining greater understanding of what is right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/there-is-nothing-to-fear-from-truth-being-truthful-is-essential-to/) [Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/) > [Be truthful... and pay attention. I would also recommend the avoidance of credit cards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-mccarthy/be-truthful-and-pay-attention-i-would-also-recommend-the-avoidance-of/) [Mary McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-mccarthy/) > [When writing about oneself, one must strive to be truthful. Truth is more important than modesty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roald-dahl/when-writing-about-oneself-one-must-strive-to-be-truthful-truth-is/) [Roald Dahl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roald-dahl/) > [American traditions and the American ethic require us to be truthful, but the most important reason is that truth is the best propaganda and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/american-traditions-and-the-american-ethic-require-us-to-be-truthful/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [I began to see myself as someone who can help others understand diversity rather than feeling like a social outcast. Ellen taught me to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/portia-de-rossi/i-began-to-see-myself-as-someone-who-can-help-others-understand/) [Portia de Rossi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/portia-de-rossi/) > [I believe politicians should aim to be accurate and truthful in what they say at all times. You can be truthful and inaccurate but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-turnbull/i-believe-politicians-should-aim-to-be-accurate-and-truthful-in-what/) [Malcolm Turnbull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-turnbull/) > [In order to discover truth, we must be truthful ourselves, and must welcome those who point out our errors as heartily as those who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-muller/in-order-to-discover-truth-we-must-be-truthful-ourselves-and-must/) [Max Muller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-muller/) > [I think what saved me is me being honest. I think I somewhow had the courage to do something and say something that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/i-think-what-saved-me-is-me-being-honest-i-think-i-somewhow-had-the/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) ## More by Lester Bowie > [They always say that jazz doesn't sell, but it's a lie, because it does sell, and it sells consistently year in and year out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/they-always-say-that-jazz-doesn-t-sell-but-it-s-a-lie-because-it-does/) [Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) > [A chord is just the name of a sound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/a-chord-is-just-the-name-of-a-sound/) [Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) > [I always tell my students when you're going to be a jazz musician the first thing you've got to do is be a professional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/i-always-tell-my-students-when-you-re-going-to-be-a-jazz-musician-the/) [Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) > [You know when I was younger I used to look at Downbeat Magazine and I figured anybody in Downbeat must be making a living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/you-know-when-i-was-younger-i-used-to-look-at-downbeat-magazine-and-i/) [Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) > [What I've been trying to do for years is to get the music played on a station other than jazz stations, you know, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/what-i-ve-been-trying-to-do-for-years-is-to-get-the-music-played-on-a/) [Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) > [We just can't go and try to turn the clock back, that's not happening anymore. You've got to figure something else out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/we-just-can-t-go-and-try-to-turn-the-clock-back-that-s-not-happening/) [Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) > [They're not just interested in one sort of music any more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/they-re-not-just-interested-in-one-sort-of-music-any-more/) [Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) > [Jazz is neither specific repertoire, nor academic exercise... but a way of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/jazz-is-neither-specific-repertoire-nor-academic-exercise-but-a-way/) [Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) > [Music is very important. It's important as a tool for learning, it can be a tool for healing, it can be no telling what,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/music-is-very-important-it-s-important-as-a-tool-for-learning-it-can/) [Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) > [Because I believe that the future of the music lies in the Internet. It can be sold on the Internet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/because-i-believe-that-the-future-of-the-music-lies-in-the-internet/) [Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) > [Play as well as you can all the time, and if you're truthful to your thing, you'll succeed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/play-as-well-as-you-can-all-the-time-and-if-you-re-truthful-to-your/) [Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) > [The trumpet is forceful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/the-trumpet-is-forceful/) [Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) > [We have the freedom to either play a tempo or not to play a tempo; to play a note or not to play a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/we-have-the-freedom-to-either-play-a-tempo-or-not-to-play-a-tempo-to/) [Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) > [These people are interested in a wide variety of music, and that's what we're into.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/these-people-are-interested-in-a-wide-variety-of-music-and-that-s/) [Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) > [I'm only involved really right now with the Art Ensemble of Chicago and the Brass Fantasy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/i-m-only-involved-really-right-now-with-the-art-ensemble-of-chicago/) [Lester Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) [Explore all 31 Lester Bowie quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/) ## More Being truthful quotes > [I think what saved me is me being honest. I think I somewhow had the courage to do something and say something that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/i-think-what-saved-me-is-me-being-honest-i-think-i-somewhow-had-the/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [In order to discover truth, we must be truthful ourselves, and must welcome those who point out our errors as heartily as those who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-muller/in-order-to-discover-truth-we-must-be-truthful-ourselves-and-must/) [Max Muller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-muller/) > [I believe politicians should aim to be accurate and truthful in what they say at all times. You can be truthful and inaccurate but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-turnbull/i-believe-politicians-should-aim-to-be-accurate-and-truthful-in-what/) [Malcolm Turnbull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-turnbull/) > [I began to see myself as someone who can help others understand diversity rather than feeling like a social outcast. Ellen taught me to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/portia-de-rossi/i-began-to-see-myself-as-someone-who-can-help-others-understand/) [Portia de Rossi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/portia-de-rossi/) > [American traditions and the American ethic require us to be truthful, but the most important reason is that truth is the best propaganda and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/american-traditions-and-the-american-ethic-require-us-to-be-truthful/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [When writing about oneself, one must strive to be truthful. Truth is more important than modesty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roald-dahl/when-writing-about-oneself-one-must-strive-to-be-truthful-truth-is/) [Roald Dahl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roald-dahl/) > [Be truthful... and pay attention. I would also recommend the avoidance of credit cards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-mccarthy/be-truthful-and-pay-attention-i-would-also-recommend-the-avoidance-of/) [Mary McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-mccarthy/) > [There is nothing to fear from truth…Being truthful is essential to being an independent thinker and obtaining greater understanding of what is right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/there-is-nothing-to-fear-from-truth-being-truthful-is-essential-to/) [Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/) > [I really love to act. I really love to touch the people with my work. It's about giving people what they want to see.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-hardrict/i-really-love-to-act-i-really-love-to-touch-the-people-with-my-work/) [Cory Hardrict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-hardrict/) > [I think the currency of leadership is transparency. You've got to be truthful. I don't think you should be vulnerable every day, but there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/i-think-the-currency-of-leadership-is-transparency-you-ve-got-to-be/) [Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/) > [If I can mean to people - if I can symbolize the ability to pursue gender equality, racial equality, and to be truthful about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anita-hill/if-i-can-mean-to-people-if-i-can-symbolize-the-ability-to-pursue/) [Anita Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anita-hill/) > [Acting's not about nose jobs and liposuction. It's about being truthful to what you're doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phylicia-rashad/acting-s-not-about-nose-jobs-and-liposuction-it-s-about-being/) [Phylicia Rashad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phylicia-rashad/) > [Please be truthful, but also please be benevolent, please.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/please-be-truthful-but-also-please-be-benevolent-please/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) > [I feel like you can't really be truthful as an artist and empathize with the human experience, unless you know your truth and you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-guerrero/i-feel-like-you-can-t-really-be-truthful-as-an-artist-and-empathize/) [Diane Guerrero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-guerrero/) > [I began making pictures because I wanted to record what supports hope: the untranslatable mystery and beauty of the world. Along the way, however,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-adams/i-began-making-pictures-because-i-wanted-to-record-what-supports-hope/) [Robert Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-adams/) [Browse all 125 Being truthful quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-truthful/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Jazz is so difficult. A lot of people think once they've learned these licks they can get up and play them for the rest of their life. But that's not being truthful to the music 'cause it's not developing. Cats you hear that don't make no mistakes? They ain't trying to do nothing. everything they hear is on the mark, but they've played it so many times... I've built a whole career out of making mistakes!", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lester Bowie" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/jazz-is-so-difficult-a-lot-of-people-think-once-they-ve-learned-these/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Being truthful" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/jazz-is-so-difficult-a-lot-of-people-think-once-they-ve-learned-these/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a6/lester-bowie-20177_being-truthful_jazz-is-so-difficult-a-lot-of-people-thi_1973081.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a6/lester-bowie-20177_being-truthful_jazz-is-so-difficult-a-lot-of-people-thi_1973081.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a6/lester-bowie-20177_being-truthful_jazz-is-so-difficult-a-lot-of-people-thi_1973081.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Jazz is so difficult. A lot of people think once they've learned these licks they can get up and play them…” — Lester Bowie", "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": "Lester Bowie", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-bowie/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Jazz is so difficult. A lot...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/jazz-is-so-difficult-a-lot-of-people-think-once-they-ve-learned-these/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-bowie/jazz-is-so-difficult-a-lot-of-people-think-once-they-ve-learned-these/#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 } } ] } ```