--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you had to call it \"unison\", it ain't…" description: "\"If you had to call it \"unison\", it ain't unison. It ain't the same as somebody else. If you can hear that it's unison, and you have to name it somethin..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2dd/miles-davis-1842_guy_if-you-had-to-call-it-unison-it-ain-t-un_612777.jpg" --- # If you had to call it "unison", it ain't unison. It ain't… ![“If you had to call it "unison", it ain't unison. It ain't the same as somebody else. If you can hear that it's unison, and you have to name it something other than "unison", it ain't unison, you know what I mean? It's two guys playin', but one guy is playin' slightly out of tune, one is playin'…” quote by Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2dd/miles-davis-1842_guy_if-you-had-to-call-it-unison-it-ain-t-un_612777.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2dd/miles-davis-1842_guy_if-you-had-to-call-it-unison-it-ain-t-un_612777.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2dd/miles-davis-1842_guy_if-you-had-to-call-it-unison-it-ain-t-un_612777.jpg) > “If you had to call it "unison", it ain't unison. It ain't the same as somebody else. If you can hear that it's unison, and you have to name it something other than "unison", it ain't unison, you know what I mean? It's two guys playin', but one guy is playin' slightly out of tune, one is playin' slightly off meter.” [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. Unison is not true harmony when parts are slightly out of tune or off meter; it’s a loose coordination, not perfect alignment. **In simple terms:** Unison isn’t perfect harmony. Key Takeaway Recognize subtle differences in collaboration. Themes music collaboration harmony improvisation Mood reflective analytical Type musical philosophical When to use this quote - Band rehearsals - live performances - studio recordings Key Concepts Jazz theory rhythmic syncopation Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance unity and individuality in teamwork? - When is slight deviation beneficial? A Different Perspective Even near-unison can create tension that may be artistic. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Guy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guy/) [Hear Unison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hear-unison-4973299/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Meter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meter/) [Names](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/names/) [Tunes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tunes/) [Two](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two/) [Two guys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two-guys/) [Unison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unison/) [Unison Ain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unison-ain-4973301/) [Unison Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unison-know-4973302/) [Unison Unison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unison-unison-4973300/) ## Related quotes > [ The reason \[drummers\] call things "unison", and they sound unison, is because you actually play two different tempos . . . like you're a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/the-reason-drummers-call-things-unison-and-they-sound-unison-is/) [Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-davis/) > [ These two guys \[Donald Trump and Chris Christie\] kinds find each other. 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Helping a kid who's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barney-frank/they-have-to-convert-our-agenda-into-something-aggressive-two-guys/) [Barney Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barney-frank/) > [My best advice for mental training is simply to create good habits, in order to build a sense of security and calm around you.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gustafsson/my-best-advice-for-mental-training-is-simply-to-create-good-habits-in/) [Alexander Gustafsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gustafsson/) ## 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. 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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. 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