--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Acting is a specific discipline. Just…" description: "\"Acting is a specific discipline. Just because you can sing doesn't mean you have the sensitivities of being an actor.\" — Neil Diamond" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fde/neil-diamond-3621_acting_acting-is-a-specific-discipline-just-bec_592021.png" --- # Acting is a specific discipline. Just because you can sing… ![“Acting is a specific discipline. Just because you can sing doesn't mean you have the sensitivities of being an actor.” quote by Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fde/neil-diamond-3621_acting_acting-is-a-specific-discipline-just-bec_592021.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fde/neil-diamond-3621_acting_acting-is-a-specific-discipline-just-bec_592021.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fde/neil-diamond-3621_acting_acting-is-a-specific-discipline-just-bec_592021.png) > “Acting is a specific discipline. Just because you can sing doesn't mean you have the sensitivities of being an actor.” [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Acting requires specific skills beyond singing; talent in one area doesn’t guarantee competence in another. **In simple terms:** Acting ≠ singing; distinct disciplines. Key Takeaway Develop dedicated acting training. Themes performance discipline skill Mood pragmatic encouraging Type analytical motivational When to use this quote - theatre - film - voice work - career transition Key Concepts artistic specialization training methods Questions to Reflect On - What skills transfer between singing and acting? - How can singers prepare for acting roles? A Different Perspective Cross‑disciplinary talent can still be valuable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Acting Specific](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting-specific-3431961/) [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Discipline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discipline/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Sensitivities Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sensitivities-actor-4842801/) [Sensitivity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sensitivity/) [Specific Discipline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/specific-discipline-4842802/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [People ask, "Do you enjoy acting?" But you only have those specific few hours to do a scene, and then you drive home and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-redmayne/people-ask-do-you-enjoy-acting-but-you-only-have-those-specific-few/) [Eddie Redmayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-redmayne/) > [“A virtuos woman is not moved by big names and flamboyance, but only men of profound wisdom and integrity move her.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/a-virtuos-woman-is-not-moved-by-big-names-and-flamboyance-but-only/) [Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/) > [In order to give meaning to the world, one has to feel oneself involved in what he frames. This attitude requires concentration, a discipline…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-cartier-bresson/in-order-to-give-meaning-to-the-world-one-has-to-feel-oneself/) [Henri Cartier-Bresson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-cartier-bresson/) > [Your sensitivity is power. Don't let people transform your qualities into weaknesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/your-sensitivity-is-power-don-t-let-people-transform-your-qualities/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [“As children, a great number of us were taught by our parents, carers, extended family members, and teachers, that showing any form of emotional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mateo-sol/as-children-a-great-number-of-us-were-taught-by-our-parents-carers/) [Mateo Sol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mateo-sol/) > [Every sound in the gym is so fantastic. The screams of the fans, the whistle of the ref, the teammates calling to each other,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yao-ming/every-sound-in-the-gym-is-so-fantastic-the-screams-of-the-fans-the/) [Yao Ming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yao-ming/) > [Tango is about feeling and sensitivity, otherwise you are just doing gymnastics. You can do all the steps but it has to have the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-gavito/tango-is-about-feeling-and-sensitivity-otherwise-you-are-just-doing/) [Carlos Gavito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-gavito/) > [My main concern is the political dimension of European integration. This is one of the most important issues of all, as far as I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaclav-klaus/my-main-concern-is-the-political-dimension-of-european-integration/) [Vaclav Klaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaclav-klaus/) > [I'm very sensitive in real life. I cannot not cry if someone around me is crying. I will start to cry if someone is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-chastain/i-m-very-sensitive-in-real-life-i-cannot-not-cry-if-someone-around-me/) [Jessica Chastain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-chastain/) > [If we do not appreciate the sensitivity and subtlety of the human heart, how can we appreciate the sensitivity and subtlety of the natural…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/if-we-do-not-appreciate-the-sensitivity-and-subtlety-of-the-human/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) > [Either I'm too sensitive, or else I'm gettin' soft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/either-i-m-too-sensitive-or-else-i-m-gettin-soft/) [Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/) > [I think that listening to music or creating music is a spiritual undertaking, so the process of creating music, you know, involves listening. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matisyahu/i-think-that-listening-to-music-or-creating-music-is-a-spiritual/) [Matisyahu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matisyahu/) > [“Such a nasty bruise,” he says, staring straight into my eyes. I am stunned he can see it. Delicate to the touch and tender…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/such-a-nasty-bruise-he-says-staring-straight-into-my-eyes-i-am/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [I began to use my sensitivity. And I realized I wasn't weird because I cried a lot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherilyn-fenn/i-began-to-use-my-sensitivity-and-i-realized-i-wasn-t-weird-because-i/) [Sherilyn Fenn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherilyn-fenn/) > [When I was in my teens I had a series of intensely religious experiences. They deepened my sense of God as the creator of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-linzey/when-i-was-in-my-teens-i-had-a-series-of-intensely-religious/) [Andrew Linzey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-linzey/) ## More by Neil Diamond > [I don't feel I have to write deep and meaningful songs; they can be light and meaningless. It has to do with the place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/i-don-t-feel-i-have-to-write-deep-and-meaningful-songs-they-can-be/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) > [You can't plan to write a great song. It just happens to you. It drops in your lap. It's the same thing with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/you-can-t-plan-to-write-a-great-song-it-just-happens-to-you-it-drops/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) > [The cardinal rule for any performer is that they should know themselves before they enter the spotlight, and I didn't. I was just Neil…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/the-cardinal-rule-for-any-performer-is-that-they-should-know/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) > [“BE Lost On a painted sky Where the clouds are hung For the poet's eye You may find him If you may find him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/be-lost-on-a-painted-sky-where-the-clouds-are-hung-for-the-poet-s-eye/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) > [Well, I Am... I Said was a very difficult song, very difficult because I really had to spend a lot of time thinking about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/well-i-am-i-said-was-a-very-difficult-song-very-difficult-because-i/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) > [I had always held everything in before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/i-had-always-held-everything-in-before/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) > [Brooklyn is not the easiest place to grow up in, although I wouldn't change that experience for anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/brooklyn-is-not-the-easiest-place-to-grow-up-in-although-i-wouldn-t/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) > [One of the things I've been panting to do, in fact, is write some music for a fencing-ballet, the movements, music and staging would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/one-of-the-things-i-ve-been-panting-to-do-in-fact-is-write-some-music/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) > [Shilo, when I was young, I used to call you name.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/shilo-when-i-was-young-i-used-to-call-you-name/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) > [Performing is the easiest part of what I do, and songwriting is the hardest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/performing-is-the-easiest-part-of-what-i-do-and-songwriting-is-the/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) > [Whatever success I've had so far has been assimilated into my body and mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/whatever-success-i-ve-had-so-far-has-been-assimilated-into-my-body/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) > [I thank the Lord for the night time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/i-thank-the-lord-for-the-night-time/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) > [I followed all life's pleasures wherever they would lead, but someone I can treasure is all I really need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/i-followed-all-life-s-pleasures-wherever-they-would-lead-but-someone/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) > [When you're on a merry-go-round, you miss a lot of the scenery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/when-you-re-on-a-merry-go-round-you-miss-a-lot-of-the-scenery/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) > [But you make me sing like a guitar humming . . .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/but-you-make-me-sing-like-a-guitar-humming/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) [Explore all 126 Neil Diamond quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) ## More Acting quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [Acting is a grind, just like music is a grind. Sometimes it takes longer than what you can give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-sean/acting-is-a-grind-just-like-music-is-a-grind-sometimes-it-takes/) [Big Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-sean/) > [It was only when I started making short films in college and I was looking for girls to play the me-ish parts that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/it-was-only-when-i-started-making-short-films-in-college-and-i-was/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [Writing is something I took up rather than anything I had an inclination toward. I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! Whether you're a child mucking around with your friends or a grown up being paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liv-hewson/actors-don-t-hate-acting-most-people-don-t-hate-acting-whether-you-re/) [Liv Hewson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liv-hewson/) > [It was only when I went to acting school that I was like, "You are absolutely such a pigheaded freak show that you thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-matthey/it-was-only-when-i-went-to-acting-school-that-i-was-like-you-are/) [Giles Matthey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-matthey/) > [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/) [Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/) > [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/) [Ryan Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-newman/) > [The show was number one in the ratings, Gordon Russell was our head writer, the story lines were magnificent and the acting most exciting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-storm/the-show-was-number-one-in-the-ratings-gordon-russell-was-our-head/) [Michael Storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-storm/) > [I've done so many other projects where you're in a room with a reader and you're acting your lines out: 'We have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cummings/i-ve-done-so-many-other-projects-where-you-re-in-a-room-with-a-reader/) [Jim Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cummings/) > [I do not believe in public shaming. I do believe that young adults go to college to learn things, and that this process will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-weingarten/i-do-not-believe-in-public-shaming-i-do-believe-that-young-adults-go/) [Gene Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-weingarten/) > [Poetry has, in a way, been my bridge to my acting career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omari-hardwick/poetry-has-in-a-way-been-my-bridge-to-my-acting-career/) [Omari Hardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omari-hardwick/) [Browse all 12,062 Acting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Acting is a specific discipline. Just because you can sing doesn't mean you have the sensitivities of being an actor.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Neil Diamond" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/acting-is-a-specific-discipline-just-because-you-can-sing-doesn-t/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Acting" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/acting-is-a-specific-discipline-just-because-you-can-sing-doesn-t/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fde/neil-diamond-3621_acting_acting-is-a-specific-discipline-just-bec_592021.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fde/neil-diamond-3621_acting_acting-is-a-specific-discipline-just-bec_592021.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fde/neil-diamond-3621_acting_acting-is-a-specific-discipline-just-bec_592021.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Acting is a specific discipline. Just because you can sing doesn't mean you have the sensitivities of being…” — Neil Diamond", "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": "Neil Diamond", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Acting is a specific discipline. Just...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/acting-is-a-specific-discipline-just-because-you-can-sing-doesn-t/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/acting-is-a-specific-discipline-just-because-you-can-sing-doesn-t/#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 } } ] } ```