Ems Quote by Miles Davis
![“I can hear what I want [people] to play. If you don't hear what you want someone to play, then you can't tell 'em.” quote by Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b64/miles-davis-1842_ems_i-can-hear-what-i-want-people-to-play-if_2194818.jpg)
“I can hear what I want [people] to play. If you don't hear what you want someone to play, then you can't tell 'em.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Jazz Improvisation, 1970
He emphasizes the need to hear the music internally before communicating it to others.
In simple terms: Hear the music inside before playing it.
Key Takeaway
Listen internally, then express.
Themes
music
improvisation
communication
intuition
Mood
introspective
musical
focused
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- jazz performance
- teaching
- collaboration
- composition
Key Concepts
inner ear
musical imagination
expression
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you train inner listening?
- What blocks prevent hearing the music?
A Different Perspective
Listening internally can be challenging for beginners.
![“If you make a suggestion and [musicians] don't know what you mean, you have to be able to do it yourself. I often sit down on drums and show 'em just exactly what I want. And I do it and then say, "How do you do that?" It's because I know how it looks, I know what I want to hear, and I don't drop…” quote by Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/637/miles-davis-1842_able_if-you-make-a-suggestion-and-musicians-d_502009.jpg)
![“[Prince] could very well be the Duke Ellington of Rock 'n' Roll.” quote by Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0fa/miles-davis-1842_dukes_prince-could-very-well-be-the-duke-ellin_142140.jpg)
