--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You have to listen to what someone is…" description: "\"You have to listen to what someone is doing and help them get to where they want to go, musically speaking. I play a supporting role if someone else is..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d2/mccoy-tyner-30081_guitarist_you-have-to-listen-to-what-someone-is-do_1840398.jpg" --- # You have to listen to what someone is doing and help them… ![“You have to listen to what someone is doing and help them get to where they want to go, musically speaking. I play a supporting role if someone else is soloing, and a guitarist will do the same for me while I am soloing.” quote by McCoy Tyner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d2/mccoy-tyner-30081_guitarist_you-have-to-listen-to-what-someone-is-do_1840398.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d2/mccoy-tyner-30081_guitarist_you-have-to-listen-to-what-someone-is-do_1840398.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d2/mccoy-tyner-30081_guitarist_you-have-to-listen-to-what-someone-is-do_1840398.jpg) > “You have to listen to what someone is doing and help them get to where they want to go, musically speaking. I play a supporting role if someone else is soloing, and a guitarist will do the same for me while I am soloing.” [McCoy Tyner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mccoy-tyner/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Effective collaboration requires attentive listening and supporting others' goals, especially in music where roles shift between lead and accompaniment. **In simple terms:** Listen and support others to achieve shared goals. Key Takeaway Prioritize listening and adapt your role. Themes collaboration musicianship support role flexibility Mood creative cooperative Type advice musical collaborative When to use this quote - band rehearsals - live performances - studio sessions - teaching - improvisation Key Concepts active listening interdependence musical dialogue Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance supporting others with expressing yourself? - When is it best to take the lead? A Different Perspective May overlook personal expression when over‑supporting. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Guitarist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guitarist/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Supporting roles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/supporting-roles/) ## Related quotes > [The terrible thing about free soloing difficult routes that are within one's capacity, is the chance that faced with ultimate danger and need for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royal-robbins/the-terrible-thing-about-free-soloing-difficult-routes-that-are/) [Royal Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royal-robbins/) > [Seven years ago, when I started free soloing long, hard routes in Yosemite - climbing without a rope, gear or a partner - I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-honnold/seven-years-ago-when-i-started-free-soloing-long-hard-routes-in/) [Alex Honnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-honnold/) > [I've done routes where I've climbed 200 feet off the ground and just been, like, 'What am I doing?' I then just climbed back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-honnold/i-ve-done-routes-where-i-ve-climbed-200-feet-off-the-ground-and-just/) [Alex Honnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-honnold/) > [I'm more of a rhythmic player. My soloing is pretty much limited to playing slide guitar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-thorogood/i-m-more-of-a-rhythmic-player-my-soloing-is-pretty-much-limited-to/) [George Thorogood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-thorogood/) > [Anything called the Teflon Corner is not sweet for free-soloing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-honnold/anything-called-the-teflon-corner-is-not-sweet-for-free-soloing/) [Alex Honnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-honnold/) > [“In soloing--as in other activities--it is far easier to start something than to finish it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amelia-earhart/in-soloing-as-in-other-activities-it-is-far-easier-to-start-something/) [Amelia Earhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amelia-earhart/) > [Free soloing is just the most natural way man can climb. It's just using your hands and feet without any use of protection or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-potter/free-soloing-is-just-the-most-natural-way-man-can-climb-it-s-just/) [Dean Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-potter/) > [To be clear, I normally climb with a rope and partner. Free-soloing makes up only a small percentage of my total climbing. But when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-honnold/to-be-clear-i-normally-climb-with-a-rope-and-partner-free-soloing/) [Alex Honnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-honnold/) > [I generally don't climb something if it makes me feel fear. The beauty of soloing is that there's no pressure - no one's telling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-honnold/i-generally-don-t-climb-something-if-it-makes-me-feel-fear-the-beauty/) [Alex Honnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-honnold/) > [If the whole idea, in the original bebop days, was to get to soloing, then that's all it should be about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allan-holdsworth/if-the-whole-idea-in-the-original-bebop-days-was-to-get-to-soloing/) [Allan Holdsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allan-holdsworth/) > [Soloing was pretty easy for me because it was probably the first thing I've ever done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angus-young/soloing-was-pretty-easy-for-me-because-it-was-probably-the-first/) [Angus Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angus-young/) > [If I'm soloing, I usually try to start with a theme, which will often stem from the blues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-bonamassa/if-i-m-soloing-i-usually-try-to-start-with-a-theme-which-will-often/) [Joe Bonamassa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-bonamassa/) > [To me, drum soloing is like doing a marathon and solving equations at the same time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/to-me-drum-soloing-is-like-doing-a-marathon-and-solving-equations-at/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [Soloing is serious business, because you can be seriously dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bachar/soloing-is-serious-business-because-you-can-be-seriously-dead/) [John Bachar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bachar/) > [I like the simplicity of soloing. You've got no gear, no partner. You never climb better than when you free-solo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-honnold/i-like-the-simplicity-of-soloing-you-ve-got-no-gear-no-partner-you/) [Alex Honnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-honnold/) ## More by McCoy Tyner > [To me living and music are all the same thing. And I keep finding out more about music as I learn more about myself,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mccoy-tyner/to-me-living-and-music-are-all-the-same-thing-and-i-keep-finding-out/) [McCoy Tyner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mccoy-tyner/) > [The piano is like an orchestra - I'm very fortunate that I chose it as my instrument.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mccoy-tyner/the-piano-is-like-an-orchestra-i-m-very-fortunate-that-i-chose-it-as/) [McCoy Tyner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mccoy-tyner/) > [I really do enjoy accompanying people - it's a challenge and a joy when you get it right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mccoy-tyner/i-really-do-enjoy-accompanying-people-it-s-a-challenge-and-a-joy-when/) [McCoy Tyner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mccoy-tyner/) > [Jazz is not gonna be a dinosaur and stay around in one form.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mccoy-tyner/jazz-is-not-gonna-be-a-dinosaur-and-stay-around-in-one-form/) [McCoy Tyner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mccoy-tyner/) > [I try not to look back too much, but sometimes it's nice to reflect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mccoy-tyner/i-try-not-to-look-back-too-much-but-sometimes-it-s-nice-to-reflect/) [McCoy Tyner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mccoy-tyner/) > [With all the travelling and performing I've been doing, it's hard to find time to practice! But seriously, I probably did most of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mccoy-tyner/with-all-the-travelling-and-performing-i-ve-been-doing-it-s-hard-to/) [McCoy Tyner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mccoy-tyner/) > [My mother gave me a choice. She said, 'Would you like to take singing lessons or piano.' I'm glad I chose piano.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mccoy-tyner/my-mother-gave-me-a-choice-she-said-would-you-like-to-take-singing/) [McCoy Tyner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mccoy-tyner/) > [When a man's faith is never tried, I don't think he'll ever learn anything. You have to have trial and tribulation, or what are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mccoy-tyner/when-a-man-s-faith-is-never-tried-i-don-t-think-he-ll-ever-learn/) [McCoy Tyner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mccoy-tyner/) > [I remember coming home from school - I couldn't wait to get to the piano so I could play and practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mccoy-tyner/i-remember-coming-home-from-school-i-couldn-t-wait-to-get-to-the/) [McCoy Tyner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mccoy-tyner/) > [I try to play what comes naturally at the moment and let it happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mccoy-tyner/i-try-to-play-what-comes-naturally-at-the-moment-and-let-it-happen/) [McCoy Tyner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mccoy-tyner/) > [I really love the piano and I feel very fortunate that I am able to play and travel all over the world as my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mccoy-tyner/i-really-love-the-piano-and-i-feel-very-fortunate-that-i-am-able-to/) [McCoy Tyner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mccoy-tyner/) > [Sometimes it's nice to try different instruments because they have a different sound to offer and therefore your approach changes a little bit. But,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mccoy-tyner/sometimes-it-s-nice-to-try-different-instruments-because-they-have-a/) [McCoy Tyner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mccoy-tyner/) > [I'll just try to keep my mind open to whatever comes my way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mccoy-tyner/i-ll-just-try-to-keep-my-mind-open-to-whatever-comes-my-way/) [McCoy Tyner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mccoy-tyner/) > [I think it was a natural step to start recording my own music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mccoy-tyner/i-think-it-was-a-natural-step-to-start-recording-my-own-music/) [McCoy Tyner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mccoy-tyner/) > [Every performance is different, but I try to approach them in the same way and give it my all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mccoy-tyner/every-performance-is-different-but-i-try-to-approach-them-in-the-same/) [McCoy Tyner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mccoy-tyner/) [Explore all 17 McCoy Tyner quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mccoy-tyner/) ## More Guitarist quotes > [I've always been playing with other people, and that's how I learned. I got a kit of drums I couldn't play, but I also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ringo-starr/i-ve-always-been-playing-with-other-people-and-that-s-how-i-learned-i/) [Ringo Starr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ringo-starr/) > [Once I got a guitar that was relatively user-friendly, but not super-duper easy, I really came on as a guitarist, at that point. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-page/once-i-got-a-guitar-that-was-relatively-user-friendly-but-not-super/) [Jimmy Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-page/) > [Who I am as a guitarist is defined by my failure to become Jimi Hendrix.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mayer/who-i-am-as-a-guitarist-is-defined-by-my-failure-to-become-jimi/) [John Mayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mayer/) > [I play bass. I play a bit of guitar. I've never been to a lesson, so my theory of music is non-existent in any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sangster/i-play-bass-i-play-a-bit-of-guitar-i-ve-never-been-to-a-lesson-so-my/) [Thomas Sangster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sangster/) > [I can turn on some jazz guitarist, and he won't do a thing for me, if he's not playing electrically. But Jeff Beck's great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritchie-blackmore/i-can-turn-on-some-jazz-guitarist-and-he-won-t-do-a-thing-for-me-if/) [Ritchie Blackmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritchie-blackmore/) > [With his new CD 'Tactiles' Liberty Ellman emerges as one of the most intriguing, albeit unorthodox, guitarists on the New York scene today. An…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-milkowski/with-his-new-cd-tactiles-liberty-ellman-emerges-as-one-of-the-most/) [Bill Milkowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-milkowski/) > [Actually, I wanted to be a musician, either a guitarist or a drummer. I guess my dreams were in the entertainment industry, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israel-broussard/actually-i-wanted-to-be-a-musician-either-a-guitarist-or-a-drummer-i/) [Israel Broussard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israel-broussard/) > [Ben was more improvisational, and relied less on methodology, and basically is a guitarist who switched to bass, whereas Jeff has a more traditional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-cameron/ben-was-more-improvisational-and-relied-less-on-methodology-and/) [Matt Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-cameron/) > [The use of electronics is a natural extension of the instrument - it is an electric guitar. So we guitarists have been plugging into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-brady/the-use-of-electronics-is-a-natural-extension-of-the-instrument-it-is/) Tim Brady > [Corinne Bailey Rae I listen to a lot, and I'll hear Desert Island Discs and quickly write down the name of a song, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-manville/corinne-bailey-rae-i-listen-to-a-lot-and-i-ll-hear-desert-island/) [Lesley Manville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-manville/) > [I am a self-taught guitarist. I just try to piece together passages that have some melodic value!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-palladio/i-am-a-self-taught-guitarist-i-just-try-to-piece-together-passages/) [Sam Palladio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-palladio/) > [If you really love guitar, you're going to spend every waking hour stroking the thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/if-you-really-love-guitar-you-re-going-to-spend-every-waking-hour/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [I was training to be a lawyer... I was president of the law society at Glasgow University, and my bass guitarist was my secretary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerard-butler/i-was-training-to-be-a-lawyer-i-was-president-of-the-law-society-at/) [Gerard Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerard-butler/) > [“The guitar breathed. It inhaled and exhaled, and music filled the shop as the instrument picked the heartbreak of generations.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-sutton-rose/the-guitar-breathed-it-inhaled-and-exhaled-and-music-filled-the-shop/) [Brenda Sutton Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-sutton-rose/) > [After the Soft Boys I just didn't want to work with any more guitarists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robyn-hitchcock/after-the-soft-boys-i-just-didn-t-want-to-work-with-any-more/) [Robyn Hitchcock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robyn-hitchcock/) [Browse all 284 Guitarist quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guitarist/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You have to listen to what someone is doing and help them get to where they want to go, musically speaking. 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