--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: First you imitate, then you innovate." description: "\"First you imitate, then you innovate.\" — Miles Davis" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c10/miles-davis-1842_firsts_first-you-imitate-then-you-innovate-2835_2835201.jpg" --- # First you imitate, then you innovate. ![“First you imitate, then you innovate.” quote by Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c10/miles-davis-1842_firsts_first-you-imitate-then-you-innovate-2835_2835201.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c10/miles-davis-1842_firsts_first-you-imitate-then-you-innovate-2835_2835201.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c10/miles-davis-1842_firsts_first-you-imitate-then-you-innovate-2835_2835201.jpg) > “First you imitate, then you innovate.” [Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-davis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Imitation precedes innovation; learning foundations enables creative breakthroughs. **In simple terms:** Copy first, then create. Key Takeaway Master basics before experimenting. Themes learning creativity progress Mood encouraging focused Type educational practical When to use this quote - skill acquisition - artistic development - entrepreneurship Key Concepts education music theory Questions to Reflect On - What fundamentals do you need to master? - How can you transform learned techniques into new ideas? A Different Perspective Blind imitation can stifle originality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Imitate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imitate/) [Imitate Innovate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imitate-innovate-3685901/) [Innovate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innovate/) ## Related quotes > [Imitate, assimilate, and innovate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clark-terry/imitate-assimilate-and-innovate/) [Clark Terry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clark-terry/) > [Imitate, assimilate & innovate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clark-terry/imitate-assimilate-innovate/) [Clark Terry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clark-terry/) > [I've always been motivated to innovate where the implications are significant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blythe-masters/i-ve-always-been-motivated-to-innovate-where-the-implications-are/) [Blythe Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blythe-masters/) > [Continuous productivity manifests itself as an environment where the evolving tools and culture make it possible to innovate more and faster than ever, with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-sinofsky/continuous-productivity-manifests-itself-as-an-environment-where-the/) [Steven Sinofsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-sinofsky/) > [Economic growth creates jobs, and countries grow when they educate their people and pursue policies that encourage households to save, existing businesses to invest,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-blair-henry/economic-growth-creates-jobs-and-countries-grow-when-they-educate/) [Peter Blair Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-blair-henry/) > [“Discussing ideas can potentially increase the kinetic energy of ideas to a point where ideas turn into innovation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sukant-ratnakar/discussing-ideas-can-potentially-increase-the-kinetic-energy-of-ideas/) [Sukant Ratnakar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sukant-ratnakar/) > [Be creative. Innovate consistently on the little things that the big companies ignore. Little things often make big differences in business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/be-creative-innovate-consistently-on-the-little-things-that-the-big/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [We do not innovate anything ... How is it that novelties are introduced which were never even thought of by our predecessors?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose/we-do-not-innovate-anything-how-is-it-that-novelties-are-introduced/) [Ambrose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose/) > [I think the food giants are realizing that one of the big myths of them is that they can innovate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moss/i-think-the-food-giants-are-realizing-that-one-of-the-big-myths-of/) [Michael Moss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moss/) > [If you truly want to innovate, there will be some failures, and this can be difficult for some organizations - especially public companies managing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynne-doughtie/if-you-truly-want-to-innovate-there-will-be-some-failures-and-this/) [Lynne Doughtie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynne-doughtie/) > [“In a world of those who follow the rules without deviation those who innovate even in the shadows, will rule. Never be a carbon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/in-a-world-of-those-who-follow-the-rules-without-deviation-those-who/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [“It is as simple as that. Birds fly because they have wings and so when you can’t grow the wings, you can’t be called…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/it-is-as-simple-as-that-birds-fly-because-they-have-wings-and-so-when/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [When you're little and you don't have much dough, you have to innovate. You have to be sharp.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/when-you-re-little-and-you-don-t-have-much-dough-you-have-to-innovate/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [Don't try to innovate for the future. Innovate for the present!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/don-t-try-to-innovate-for-the-future-innovate-for-the-present/) [Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/) > [Those that innovate the future understand history the best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/those-that-innovate-the-future-understand-history-the-best/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) ## More by Miles Davis > [I usually write from the rhythm section...If a drummer got a funky beat on some things - like a half-shuffle or a shuffle or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/i-usually-write-from-the-rhythm-section-if-a-drummer-got-a-funky-beat/) [Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-davis/) > [Look, man, all I am is a trumpet player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/look-man-all-i-am-is-a-trumpet-player/) [Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-davis/) > [You have to practice for a long time before you can learn to sound like yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/you-have-to-practice-for-a-long-time-before-you-can-learn-to-sound/) [Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-davis/) > [There are no wrong notes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/there-are-no-wrong-notes/) [Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-davis/) > [Knowledge is freedom and ignorance is slavery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/knowledge-is-freedom-and-ignorance-is-slavery/) [Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-davis/) > [I began to realize that some of the things Ornette Coleman had said about things being played three or fours ways, independently of each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/i-began-to-realize-that-some-of-the-things-ornette-coleman-had-said/) [Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-davis/) > [...people will go for anything they don't understand if it's got enough hype. They want to be hip, want always to be in on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/people-will-go-for-anything-they-don-t-understand-if-it-s-got-enough/) [Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-davis/) > [If you're trying to be hip, be hip.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/if-you-re-trying-to-be-hip-be-hip/) [Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-davis/) > [My father's rich, my momma's good looking. Right? And I can play the Blues. I've never suffered and don't intend to suffer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/my-father-s-rich-my-momma-s-good-looking-right-and-i-can-play-the/) [Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-davis/) > [I'm out there doing the best that I can, My lip is cut and I'm still playing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/i-m-out-there-doing-the-best-that-i-can-my-lip-is-cut-and-i-m-still/) [Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-davis/) > [When I'm playing, I'm never through. It's unfinished. I like to find a place to leave for someone else to finish it. That's where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/when-i-m-playing-i-m-never-through-it-s-unfinished-i-like-to-find-a/) [Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-davis/) > [ \[Prince\] could very well be the Duke Ellington of Rock 'n' Roll. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/prince-could-very-well-be-the-duke-ellington-of-rock-n-roll/) [Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-davis/) > [I can tell whether a person can play just by the way he stands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/i-can-tell-whether-a-person-can-play-just-by-the-way-he-stands/) [Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-davis/) > [Do not fear mistakes. There are none.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/do-not-fear-mistakes-there-are-none/) [Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-davis/) > [You can't compete with Sweets' sound and time feel. It's impossible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/you-can-t-compete-with-sweets-sound-and-time-feel-it-s-impossible/) [Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-davis/) [Explore all 204 Miles Davis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-davis/) ## More Firsts quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [My first ever job after college was as a flight attendant. I wanted to travel and could not afford it, so I decided to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-winspear/my-first-ever-job-after-college-was-as-a-flight-attendant-i-wanted-to/) [Jacqueline Winspear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-winspear/) > [Since I worked with Danny Boyle before on Slumdog Millionaire, we have great success and everything. So, when I first got the script and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-r-rahman/since-i-worked-with-danny-boyle-before-on-slumdog-millionaire-we-have/) [A. R. Rahman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-r-rahman/) > [You sort of can't talk about the post production unless you talk about what comes first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-greengrass/you-sort-of-can-t-talk-about-the-post-production-unless-you-talk/) [Paul Greengrass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-greengrass/) > [I'm a business first and foremost so whatever my business is, it's separate from my personal. It's like whatever I do business wise, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/snoop-dogg/i-m-a-business-first-and-foremost-so-whatever-my-business-is-it-s/) [Snoop Dogg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/snoop-dogg/) > [A man walks down the street. It's a street in a strange world. Maybe it's the third world. Maybe it's his first time around.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-simon/a-man-walks-down-the-street-it-s-a-street-in-a-strange-world-maybe-it/) [Paul Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-simon/) > [I did not know that the planning for biological and chemical warfare was so widespread in England, and even in France before France fell.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholson-baker/i-did-not-know-that-the-planning-for-biological-and-chemical-warfare/) [Nicholson Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholson-baker/) > [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [When I first started, my message was about joy, but I didn't really have the vocabulary and life experience to fully deliver it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-mraz/when-i-first-started-my-message-was-about-joy-but-i-didn-t-really/) [Jason Mraz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-mraz/) > [I'm very used to working with first time actors - you can just look back at 'E.T.' with Drew Barrymore, and Christian Bale from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-m-very-used-to-working-with-first-time-actors-you-can-just-look/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [I have lifted my plane . . . for perhaps a thousand flights and I have never felt her wheels glide from the Earth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beryl-markham/i-have-lifted-my-plane-for-perhaps-a-thousand-flights-and-i-have/) [Beryl Markham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beryl-markham/) > [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [The U.S.-Mexican border es un herida abierta where the Third World grates against the first and bleeds. And before a scab forms it hemorrhages…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-e-anzald-a/the-u-s-mexican-border-es-un-herida-abierta-where-the-third-world/) [Gloria E. Anzaldúa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-e-anzald-a/) > [Meanwhile someone is shining my head to get it dry to attach my top-hat to my head with toupee tape. I get into microphone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tituss-burgess/meanwhile-someone-is-shining-my-head-to-get-it-dry-to-attach-my-top/) [Tituss Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tituss-burgess/) > [Peace is the first thing the angels sang. Peace is the mark of the children of God. Peace is the nurse of love. Peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-i/peace-is-the-first-thing-the-angels-sang-peace-is-the-mark-of-the/) [Pope Leo I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-i/) [Browse all 32,432 Firsts quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "First you imitate, then you innovate.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Miles Davis" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/first-you-imitate-then-you-innovate/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Firsts" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/first-you-imitate-then-you-innovate/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c10/miles-davis-1842_firsts_first-you-imitate-then-you-innovate-2835_2835201.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c10/miles-davis-1842_firsts_first-you-imitate-then-you-innovate-2835_2835201.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c10/miles-davis-1842_firsts_first-you-imitate-then-you-innovate-2835_2835201.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“First you imitate, then you innovate.” — Miles Davis", "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": "Miles Davis", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-davis/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "First you imitate, then you innovate.", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/first-you-imitate-then-you-innovate/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/first-you-imitate-then-you-innovate/#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 } } ] } ```