--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sometimes you have to play a long time to…" description: "\"Sometimes you have to play a long time to be able to play like yourself.\" — Miles Davis" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e4f/miles-davis-1842_long_sometimes-you-have-to-play-a-long-time-t_2101500.jpg" --- # Sometimes you have to play a long time to be able to play… ![“Sometimes you have to play a long time to be able to play like yourself.” quote by Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e4f/miles-davis-1842_long_sometimes-you-have-to-play-a-long-time-t_2101500.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e4f/miles-davis-1842_long_sometimes-you-have-to-play-a-long-time-t_2101500.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e4f/miles-davis-1842_long_sometimes-you-have-to-play-a-long-time-t_2101500.jpg) > “Sometimes you have to play a long time to be able to play like yourself.” [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. Mastery requires long practice before authentic self‑expression emerges. **In simple terms:** Practice long before you can truly be yourself. Key Takeaway Invest time in deep practice to find your voice. Themes music mastery self‑expression Mood inspirational reflective Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - learning an instrument - career growth - personal development Key Concepts skill development creativity Questions to Reflect On - How does long practice shape your identity? - What barriers prevent sustained practice? A Different Perspective Patience may be challenging in a fast‑paced world. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“you have to play a long time to be able to play like yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/you-have-to-play-a-long-time-to-be-able-to-play-like-yourself/) [miles davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-davis/) > [“Sometimes you have to play a long time to play like yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/sometimes-you-have-to-play-a-long-time-to-play-like-yourself/) [Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-davis/) > [It's the only way you're able to play as long as I have, is to go out there and perform.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-woodson/it-s-the-only-way-you-re-able-to-play-as-long-as-i-have-is-to-go-out/) [Charles Woodson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-woodson/) > [To be able to play a couple of decades, I never thought I'd play that long.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-vinatieri/to-be-able-to-play-a-couple-of-decades-i-never-thought-i-d-play-that/) [Adam Vinatieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-vinatieri/) > [I'm thankful that I have been able to play so long and still be healthy. I'm not all banged up and beaten down. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-peppers/i-m-thankful-that-i-have-been-able-to-play-so-long-and-still-be/) [Julius Peppers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-peppers/) > [I just feel fortunate to be able to play as long as I have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buster-posey/i-just-feel-fortunate-to-be-able-to-play-as-long-as-i-have/) [Buster Posey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buster-posey/) > [I'm not going to be able to play it like somebody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-j-jones/i-m-not-going-to-be-able-to-play-it-like-somebody-else/) Sam J. Jones > [In truth, there is nobody who will be able to play like Zidane.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franck-ribery/in-truth-there-is-nobody-who-will-be-able-to-play-like-zidane/) [Franck Ribery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franck-ribery/) > [It takes you years to learn how to play like yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/it-takes-you-years-to-learn-how-to-play-like-yourself/) [Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-davis/) > [I'll play as long as I can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-janikowski/i-ll-play-as-long-as-i-can/) [Sebastian Janikowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-janikowski/) > [I'm very grateful to be where I'm at and be able to play. That's really the bottom line for me. Survival and being able…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-bozzio/i-m-very-grateful-to-be-where-i-m-at-and-be-able-to-play-that-s/) [Terry Bozzio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-bozzio/) > [A lot of people say I do play like Carmelo Anthony. That's just a great saying of my game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jabari-parker/a-lot-of-people-say-i-do-play-like-carmelo-anthony-that-s-just-a/) [Jabari Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jabari-parker/) > [Unless I play like Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, it'll be hard to give myself 100 out of 100.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/son-heung-min/unless-i-play-like-lionel-messi-or-cristiano-ronaldo-it-ll-be-hard-to/) [Son Heung-min](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/son-heung-min/) > [When I do a play, it's like agreeing to be ill for a couple of months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-nighy/when-i-do-a-play-it-s-like-agreeing-to-be-ill-for-a-couple-of-months/) [Bill Nighy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-nighy/) > [So everybody is trying to play like Eddie Van Halen. I think it's rubbish. I think Eddie's great, but everyone's trying to do what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-squier/so-everybody-is-trying-to-play-like-eddie-van-halen-i-think-it-s/) [Billy Squier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-squier/) ## 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 Football quotes > [When I came to Chelsea, it was clear that, like many other players, I would first be loaned out. So I went to Belgium…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thorgan-hazard/when-i-came-to-chelsea-it-was-clear-that-like-many-other-players-i/) [Thorgan Hazard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thorgan-hazard/) > [If you take your eye off the ball or lose focus for even a minute you can lose a game against any team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felipe-anderson/if-you-take-your-eye-off-the-ball-or-lose-focus-for-even-a-minute-you/) [Felipe Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felipe-anderson/) > [There are guys who play lacrosse, and there are lacrosse players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-mundorf/there-are-guys-who-play-lacrosse-and-there-are-lacrosse-players/) Brendan Mundorf > [Giggs is the realest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-kaluuya/giggs-is-the-realest/) [Daniel Kaluuya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-kaluuya/) > [You get a new coach; you do things a little differently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archie-manning/you-get-a-new-coach-you-do-things-a-little-differently/) [Archie Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archie-manning/) > [You gotta have a little kid in you to play football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-edwards/you-gotta-have-a-little-kid-in-you-to-play-football/) [Herman Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-edwards/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [My team mates are fundamental for my characteristics, if they send in crosses I can play inside the area.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/filippo-inzaghi/my-team-mates-are-fundamental-for-my-characteristics-if-they-send-in/) [Filippo Inzaghi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/filippo-inzaghi/) > [The Copa del Rey is a different competition. It is football in its purest form and is different from the continuity of the league.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-laudrup/the-copa-del-rey-is-a-different-competition-it-is-football-in-its/) [Michael Laudrup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-laudrup/) > [“Wild card, got it," Duncan said. "Just like in Crazy Eights. I can be a diamond; I can be a spade. Whatever you need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-healy/wild-card-got-it-duncan-said-just-like-in-crazy-eights-i-can-be-a/) [Christopher Healy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-healy/) > [Leo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Eden. Every year, you look at their numbers - score goals, assists, minutes - to see they play very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro/leo-cristiano-ronaldo-neymar-eden-every-year-you-look-at-their/) [Pedro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro/) > [It's a lot harder to play football when you haven't got the ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gray/it-s-a-lot-harder-to-play-football-when-you-haven-t-got-the-ball/) [Andy Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gray/) > [I just enjoy winning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xander-bogaerts/i-just-enjoy-winning/) [Xander Bogaerts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xander-bogaerts/) > [I think you can get, as a player, stuck in the mindset of trying too hard to prove yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trinity-rodman/i-think-you-can-get-as-a-player-stuck-in-the-mindset-of-trying-too/) [Trinity Rodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trinity-rodman/) > [We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/we-cannot-change-the-cards-we-are-dealt-just-how-we-play-the-hand/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) [Browse all 59,646 Football quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Sometimes you have to play a long time to be able to play like yourself.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Miles Davis" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/sometimes-you-have-to-play-a-long-time-to-be-able-to-play-like/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Football" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/sometimes-you-have-to-play-a-long-time-to-be-able-to-play-like/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e4f/miles-davis-1842_long_sometimes-you-have-to-play-a-long-time-t_2101500.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e4f/miles-davis-1842_long_sometimes-you-have-to-play-a-long-time-t_2101500.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e4f/miles-davis-1842_long_sometimes-you-have-to-play-a-long-time-t_2101500.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Sometimes you have to play a long time to be able to play like yourself.” — 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": "Sometimes you have to play a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/sometimes-you-have-to-play-a-long-time-to-be-able-to-play-like/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/sometimes-you-have-to-play-a-long-time-to-be-able-to-play-like/#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 } } ] } ```